Fasting and anesthesia

(Matt Fanning) #1

My fiancee is having surgery on Friday. She is currently fasting and would like to continue but is curious how it would effect the anesthesia. Was wondering if any one had any experiences with this and are willing to share. Thanks for sharing.

(Lazy, Dirty Keto šŸ˜) #2

Iā€™m no doctor, but I thought you were actually supposed to have an empty stomach while under anesthesia?

(Eric - The patient needs to be patient!) #3

@Digital_Dave What say you, Dave? Dave just went through surgery fasting.

(Matt Fanning) #4

Yes from midnight of the prior day but what about an EF before. The body is in a much in a much different state during a EF compared to the night before IF.

#5

I had no issues that Iā€™m aware of? - I let them all know ahead of time that I was about 48 hrs. into the Fast when they took me into surgery, and actually spoke with the Anesthesiologist, who didnā€™t seem to have any issues with this at all. I actually ended up going something like 135 hrs? before eating anything solid? (I have to look back at the numbers to be sure, but it was somewhere around there. But nope, no issues that Iā€™m aware of. But would definitely make sure they are aware beforehand. If anything, I think it would be more beneficial? But thatā€™s just a guess, being they donā€™t really want anything in your system that could cause nauseousness? Just a guess, but either way, wish ya luck and hope it goes as well as mine did. ā€¦ :slight_smile:

(Matt Fanning) #6

Thanks for sharing your experience Dave.

(The o-chem police are coming) #7

Fasting will be fine. Be well hydrated within the confines of the nothing by mouth rules set for you. Also, on a side note, some of the medications (preoperative antibiotics) may be mixed in a dextrose (glucose) solution. So you may want to have those mixed into saline instead. That shouldnā€™t be a problem, maybe ask ahead if it is important to you. Some of the drugs are in a lipid emulsion, propofol specifically. No easy way around that seeing as it is a vastly better med than any alternative. I donā€™t have data, since I donā€™t think it has been studied, but I donā€™t think that it will effect your fast in any meaningful way.

#8

Not a problem, youā€™re quite welcome. Again, I hope all goes well. :slight_smile:

(Omar) #9

extended fasting will magnify the effect of anesthesia.

just like any other food or medicine.

make sure the doctor knows it is extended fasting and not just the preparational fasting.

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #10

I would mention it to the anaesthesiologist, but I doubt it would be a problem.

Itā€™s much more of a problem having anything in the stomach, because if the patient vomits while under anaesthesia, stomach acid can get into the lungs. As you might imagine, that comes under the heading of NOT A GOOD THING.

BTW, since rats cannot vomit, it is safe for pet rats to eat right up until surgery. I thought you might like to know. :rat::bacon: