Why eating before surgery can be a life or death issue

Eating before surgery can be a life-or-death issue because food and liquid in the stomach can be aspirated, or inhaled, into the lungs during anesthesia. This can cause serious complications, including pneumonia, lung collapse, and even death.

Here are some of the reasons why eating before surgery can be dangerous:

• The stomach contents can block the airway. When a person is under anesthesia, their muscles relax, including the muscles that control the airway. If food or liquid is in the stomach, it can block the airway and make it difficult to breathe.
• The stomach contents can irritate the lungs. If food or liquid is aspirated into the lungs, it can irritate the delicate tissue and cause inflammation. This can lead to pneumonia, a serious lung infection.
• The stomach contents can cause vomiting. Vomiting during surgery can be dangerous because it can cause aspiration, as well as other complications such as choking and airway obstruction.

To prevent these complications, it is important to follow your doctor’s instructions about eating and drinking before surgery. Typically, you will be asked to fast for 8-12 hours before surgery. This means not eating or drinking anything, including water, juice, gum, or hard candy.

If you have any questions about fasting before surgery, be sure to talk to your doctor.

Here are some additional tips to help you stay safe during your fast:

• Drink plenty of fluids the day before surgery. This will help keep you hydrated.
• Avoid sugary drinks, such as soda and juice. These drinks can make you feel sick to your stomach.
• Eat small, frequent meals. This will help prevent your stomach from becoming too full.
• If you feel hungry or thirsty, try sucking on ice chips or hard candy.

By following these tips, you can help ensure a safe and uneventful surgery.