Fasting instructions:
Fasting is crucial to provide safe anaesthesia. Fasting reduces the chance of acidic stomach contents from entering your airways when you are anaesthetised or sedated. Acidic stomach contents can cause severe lung damage. As a result of this risk, we have strict guidelines as to when to stop eating and drinking. If you do not adhere to these guidelines, your surgery may be cancelled or rescheduled.
- No solid food for 6 hours prior to surgery
- Clear fluids (in moderation) up to 2 hours prior to scheduled surgery
- Clear fluids – water, juice(no pulp), cordial, black tea or black coffee (no milk)
- Breastfeeding infants less than 12 months can feed up until 2 hours prior to admission (this does not include formula feeds)
As we now stagger the arrival times for admission on the day of surgery, the above times should then relate to the time of admission to hospital.