Why do we have to fast before surgery? : procedures, safety, side effects, and benefits

If you are planning to have surgery, you may have been told that you should not eat before the operation - usually for eight to 12 hours leading up to the surgery.

Doctors usually have good reasons for any advice they give, but many patients also wonder why they have to empty their stomachs before lying on the operating table. It is very important that you follow these instructions to avoid complications during and after your surgery.

Why can't you eat before the surgery?

Fasting food before general surgery is recommended by doctors, especially in major operations involving the patient under general anesthesia. General anesthesia makes you so unconscious that you can't feel anything and you also don't realize what is going on during your procedure. Usually, before having general anesthesia, you will not be allowed to eat or drink anything.

If your stomach fills with food during the surgery, you can temporarily vomit under the anesthetic. This is because while you are under anesthesia, your body's reflexes are temporarily stopped. The combination of paralyzing anesthesia and intubation (inserting a hole or tube through the mouth or nose for air exchange) allows you to inhale vomit and stomach contents into your lungs. This condition is called pulmonary aspiration and can cause serious complications, such as infection, pneumonia, and difficulty breathing, which can put your condition at risk.

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Eating preoperatively - when you've been told not to - can also cause nausea and vomiting after surgery. Vomiting after surgery can be very painful, apart from the incision site and your throat which may still be painful from the surgery itself.

Not all doctors will recommend fasting before surgery

Although there is a potential that patients may vomit and inhale their stomach contents, the practice of abstaining from food before surgery is believed to be no longer effective. Reporting from Medical Daily, about 50 percent of anesthetists said abstinence from food after midnight for elective surgery is no longer needed.

Researchers have also found vomiting during surgery is a fairly rare side effect. Furthermore, modern anesthetic techniques have made the risk of pulmonary aspiration very unlikely. And when aspiration does occur, it almost never causes long-term complications or death. What's more, studies have shown that emptying the stomach is faster than previously believed, so long periods of fasting make little difference in preventing pulmonary aspiration.

Not all patients can fast before surgery

Following the doctor's advice is the best path to optimal recovery, but it still makes sense to ask about the details of abstinence regulations before surgery and whether they can be relaxed in your case - especially if you are scheduled for an afternoon surgical procedure. In this case, you may be asked to empty your stomach for more than 12 hours. Doctors and anesthetists are often willing to accommodate your wishes.

Fasting is often associated with various side effects, such as hunger and dehydration, and can also cause headaches, dizziness, and nausea in some people. Dehydration can be serious and makes it difficult for nurses to draw blood for necessary tests. A long period of fasting can also add to the discomfort during recovery. Doctors and anesthetists are generally available to accommodate your wishes.

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Also, if you have a medical condition, such as diabetes, it means you need to eat and drink regularly. Therefore, you must inform a team of doctors in charge of you before undergoing surgery. You should also tell them if you are taking medication (Do not take your medicine if the surgeon has not instructed you to do so).

What can you eat before surgery?

The amount of time it takes to fast to eat before surgery will depend on what procedure you're having. However, it's usually six to eight hours for food, and two hours for fluids. In its pre-operative fasting guidelines, the American Society of Anesthesiologists says that it is safe for healthy people of all ages undergoing planned surgery to consume:

• Clear fluids, including water, tea, black coffee, carbonated drinks, and fruit juices without pulp, up to two hours before surgery. You may be warned to avoid certain types of liquids, such as milk, or tea / coffee that use creamer as these drinks have protein and fat in them which can damage your lungs.
• Snacks, such as a cup of bread and tea, or a salad with soup, up to six hours before surgery.
• Heavy meals, including fried or fatty / meaty foods, up to eight hours before surgery. However, parents are still advised not to give their children solid food in the middle of the night the night before surgery. Clear liquids, such as water, apple juice, sports drinks, pudding or agar, are safe to consume up to four hours before the procedure.

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