Eating and Drinking Before Surgery

The possibility of complications increases if any food or drink remains in the stomach during anesthesia. For your safety, it’s important to have an empty stomach prior to and during surgery. Food may also cause vomiting before, during and after anesthesia.

Guidelines for eating and drinking depend on the time of day your surgery is scheduled. Unless told otherwise by your doctor, use the following instructions:

Morning Surgery

If your surgery is scheduled between 7:00 AM to noon:

  • Eat a light meal the night before surgery
  • Do not eat or drink anything after midnight

Afternoon Surgery

If your surgery is scheduled between noon and 4:00 PM:

  • Eat a light meal the night before surgery
  • You may drink clear liquids until 6:00 AM the day of surgery
  • Do not eat or drink anything after 6:00 AM

Evening Surgery

If your surgery is scheduled between 4:00 PM and 9:00 PM:

  • Eat a light meal the night before surgery
  • You may drink clear liquids until 10:00 AM the day of surgery
  • Do not eat or drink anything after 10:00 AM