Fasting Guidelines for Surgical Patients
In order to safely receive anesthesia medicines, your stomach must be as empty as possible prior to surgery, regardless of the type of surgery or anesthesia. Otherwise, there is a risk of choking during surgery/anesthesia. Because your safety is our highest priority, we require that you follow these rules:
- You may have ONLY water on the day of surgery, until 2 hours prior to your scheduled time at BMH.
- Absolutely no other food or drink after midnight before the surgery or your surgery will be postponed. NO gum, breath mints, candy, or infant formula.
- Medications may be taken with sips of water on the morning of surgery as instructed by your surgeon or pre-op nurse.
- Breast fed infants may nurse until 3 hours prior to scheduled arrival time at BMH.
Your medical information will be reviewed by an anesthesiologist prior to your surgery. In some instances, you will be called by telephone to provide additional information. The anesthesiologist will meet you before you go into the operating room and will discuss the plan for anesthesia and answer your questions. If you need to talk with an anesthesiologist before your surgery, please call 802-257-8220 and leave a message. We will do our best to return your call as soon as possible.
