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PATIENT INFORMATION

When should I stop eating and drinking?

This is general information, not a personal fasting instruction.

Common principles for healthy adults

For many healthy adults having an elective procedure, commonly used minimum fasting intervals include:

  • Clear liquids until about 2 hours before anaesthesia
  • A light meal or non-human milk until about 6 hours before
  • Fatty, fried or heavy meals usually require longer

Some hospitals now allow clear drinks closer to the time of surgery under their own local protocols. Others use longer times. Follow the schedule given for your own procedure.

Why there is no single timetable

There is no single timetable that is safe for every patient. Pregnancy, diabetes, obesity, reflux or swallowing disorders, gastroparesis, opioid use, previous gastric surgery, bowel obstruction, emergency surgery and some medicines can change aspiration risk. Hospitals may also use local protocols.

Practical tips

  • Check whether your instructions give a clock time for stopping, not just a number of hours.
  • If your operation time is not fixed, ask how you should plan eating and drinking.
  • Ask whether you are allowed to drink clear fluids after you arrive at the hospital, in case of delays.
  • If you have diabetes, ask for a specific plan, as fasting affects blood glucose.

If something goes wrong

If you have eaten or drunk outside those instructions, tell the team responsible for your procedure and do not make your own decision about whether it is safe to proceed.