Children's Community Nursing Service, Richmond
Fasting before surgery
This information covers what you need to know about stopping food and drink (fasting) before an operation. It also includes other information for adults having surgery.
Follow these instructions carefully. If you do not, your surgery may be cancelled.
Water
You can sip clear still water up to the time of surgery.
Food and milk
For morning surgery: No food or milk after midnight.
For afternoon surgery: No food or milk after 7am.
Medicines
Follow the advice given at your pre-assessment appointment.
No food before surgery
Fasting is important before having an anaesthetic. Having an empty stomach stops fluid and food coming up and entering your lungs. This could lead to serious problems and damage to your lungs.
You must follow these instructions. This advice applies whether you are having a general anaesthetic (when you are asleep during surgery) or back injections (called a spinal or epidural).
Morning surgery
For patients arriving at hospital between 7am and 7.45 am (for morning surgery):
- No food or milk after 12 midnight.
- Sip only clear still water up until time of surgery.
Afternoon surgery
For patients arriving at hospital between 11am and 1pm (for afternoon surgery):
- A light breakfast (eg bowl of cereal) is allowed before 7am.
- No food or milk after 7am.
- Sip only clear still water up until time of surgery.
You must not have chewing gum, sweets or fizzy drinks during the hours before the operation when you can only have clear still water. You may clean your teeth.
If you have diabetes, we will give you special instructions at your pre-assessment appointment.
Medicines
- Bring all medicines and inhalers with you on the day of surgery.
- Take all regular medicines on the day of surgery, unless told not to at the preassessment appointment.
Blood thinning medicine
If you are on blood thinning medicines (such as warfarin, Apixaban, Rivaroxaban, Edoxaban) the anticoagulation clinic will give you instructions.
If you have not heard from them a week before your operation, contact the pre-assessment team.
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Notes on medicines
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On the day of surgery
- If you are having day surgery, make sure you have a responsible adult to go home with you and stay with you for 24 hours (including overnight).
- Do not wear make-up, nail varnish or jewellery.
- Have a bath or shower before coming to hospital.
- Do not bring children with you.
- You are responsible for any electronic devices or valuables you bring with you. We will lock your possessions away safely whilst you are in surgery.
Pregnancy
Tell the Pre-assessment team as soon as possible if you are pregnant (see Contact details below)
There may be risks to your baby if you have an anaesthetic or surgery when pregnant.
If you are pregnant, discuss these risks with the Pre-assessment team as soon as possible. Your planned surgery may need to be postponed or cancelled.
You may wish to take additional precautions against getting pregnant while you are waiting for an operation.
Contact information
Pre-assessment team
Telephone: