Fasting Before Surgery
An empty stomach makes anaesthesia and sedation safer, because it lowers the risk of stomach contents getting into the lungs. Always follow the fasting instructions from your hospital or anaesthetist. They may differ from the general guide below, and they take priority.
Preparing for Surgery · Before and After Surgery
General Guide for Adults
- Food, milk and other drinks that are not clear: stop at least six hours before your procedure. The hospital will tell you the exact time.
- Clear fluids: many hospitals now let you keep sipping clear fluids, up to about one cup (200 mL) an hour, until you are called for your procedure. This is sometimes called "sip til send". Some hospitals use a fixed cut-off instead, so follow the time they give you.
Clear fluids are drinks you can see through, such as water, clear apple juice, cordial, clear sports drinks, and black tea or coffee without milk.
Not clear: milk and milky drinks, juice with pulp, soup, smoothies and protein shakes.
Your Medicines
Take your usual medicines on the day with a sip of water, unless you have been told otherwise. Some medicines, including blood thinners and some medicines for diabetes or weight management, need to be stopped or adjusted days or weeks beforehand. You will be told which ones. Please don't stop anything without advice.
Gastroscopy
The same fasting rules usually apply before a gastroscopy under sedation. The hospital will confirm your fasting time when they confirm your appointment.
Weight Loss Surgery
You follow a pre-operative diet for two weeks before surgery. On the day itself, the usual fasting rules apply.
If You Eat or Drink by Mistake
Tell the hospital staff as soon as you arrive. Your procedure may need to be delayed for your safety, but it is much better to say so.
Sources: ANZCA PG07 Appendix 1, Fasting guideline (2024); Safer Care Victoria, Sip til Send
Reviewed by Dr Kaleb Lourensz