Can you drink anything before surgery?
In both 1999 and 2011, the American Society of Anesthesiologists issued NPO guidelines that permitted the consumption of clear liquids until two hours before surgery for all healthy patients undergoing elective procedures requiring general anesthesia, regional anesthesia or sedation/analgesia. (NPO means nothing through the mouth)
Despite the recent recommendations, many anesthesiologists continue to adhere to “NPO past midnight” rule for all surgical patients.
Dr. Joyce Wahr, who is the director of the University of Minnesota Health Preoperative Assessment Center says that drinking clear liquids until two hours before surgery is safe. However, many doctors still tell their patients they may not have any liquids 8 hours before surgery.
UCLA Health encourages patients to drink clear liquids until 2 hours before the time you are scheduled to arrive at the hospital or surgery center. Clear liquids doesn’t mean milk or dairy products. It includes:
Water
Clear fruit juices such as apple juice and white cranberry juice
Plain tea or black coffee (NO milk or creamer)
Clear, electrolyte-replenishing drinks such as Pedialyte, Gatorade, or Powerade (NOT yogurt or pulp-containing “smoothies”)
Ensure Clear or Boost Breeze (NOT the milkshake varieties)