This is for anyone who is coming to Kingston Hospital for an operation.
Fasting (no food and drink)
This information covers what you need to know about stopping food and drink (fasting) before an operation.
If you have diabetes, we will give you special instructions at your pre-assessment appointment.
Fasting is essential
If you do not follow these fasting instructions we may cancel your operation.
This advice applies whether you are having a general anaesthetic (when you are asleep during surgery) or back injections (called a spinal or epidural).
Why it is important
Fasting is very 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.
Morning surgery
For patients arriving between 7am and 7:45am
From midnight
No food. No chewing gum. No sweets. No fizzy drinks. No soup.
From midnight until 6:30am
You may drink unlimited clear fluids: still water, black tea or black coffee, squash.
From 6:30am until the operation
You may sip slowly on clear fluids: still water, black tea or black coffee, squash.
You may have 1 standard NHS cup (170 mls) per hour until the operating team send for you.
Afternoon surgery
For patients arriving between 11am and 1pm
From 7am
No food. No chewing gum. No sweets. No fizzy drinks. No soup.
From 7am until 11:30am
You may drink unlimited clear fluids: still water, black tea or black coffee, squash.
From 11:30am until the operation
You may sip slowly on clear fluids: still water, black tea or black coffee, squash.
You may have 1 standard NHS cup (170 mls) per hour until the operating team send for you.
Medicines
Continue to take all of your medications up to and including the day of your operation unless you are told not to.
If you are unsure of the instructions, contact the pre-operative assessment team immediately.
Bring all medicines and inhalers with you on the day of surgery.
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.
