BEFORE SURGERY
Preparing for hospital
A little preparation before your procedure can help things go more smoothly on the day.
The information below explains fasting, what to do before leaving home and what to bring with you to hospital. Please follow any specific instructions given to you by your hospital, surgeon or proceduralist.
Fasting before your procedure
Fasting is an important part of preparing for an anaesthetic. It reduces the risk of food or fluid from your stomach entering your lungs while you are under anaesthesia or sedation.
Your hospital or anaesthetist will give you specific fasting instructions. Always follow those instructions, as fasting requirements may be different for some patients.
01
Food
Stop solid food at least 6 hours before your anaesthetic.
This includes meals, snacks and other foods. You should also avoid large or fatty meals on the evening before your procedure.
Unless you have been given different instructions, you can usually eat normally until your fasting period begins.
03
What is not a clear liquid?
Milk and other non-clear liquids count as food for fasting purposes and should generally be stopped at least 6 hours before your anaesthetic.
This includes:
-
milk or cream, including in tea or coffee
-
almond, soy and oat milk
-
drinks containing pulp or particles
-
broths
-
drinks containing soluble fibre
-
jelly.
02
Clear liquids
In many cases, you can continue to sip clear liquids while you are fasting.
Clear liquids include water, pulp-free clear apple juice or cordial, black tea or coffee without milk, and clear carbohydrate drinks.
For suitable adults, up to 200 mL of clear liquid per hour may be allowed if you are thirsty, until you are called for theatre. This approach is known as “Sip Til Send.”
04
Your individual instructions
Always follow the fasting instructions given to you by your hospital or anaesthetist.
Different instructions may be required if you have certain medical conditions or take medications that slow the emptying of your stomach. This can include diabetes, significant reflux and GLP-1 medications used for diabetes or weight management.
If you are unsure, ask before eating or drinking
If you are unsure whether something counts as a clear liquid, or you have accidentally eaten or drunk something outside your fasting instructions, tell the hospital or anaesthetic team. Do not try to work out a new fasting time yourself.
Eating or drinking outside the recommended fasting period may mean that your procedure needs to be delayed.