“What should I eat before general anesthesia?”

You should not eat or drink for at least 8 hours prior to general anesthesia. For directions regarding any medications you currently take you should talk to your surgeon or primary care doctor.

I'm sure your surgeon will tell you, but you should have nothing by mouth for 8-10 hours before elective surgery.

The usual recommendation is NOTHING! Patients are usually allowed to have their medications with a little water.

This important question is to be answered by your surgeon. So whatever I say is superseded by whatever your surgeon says.

Usually, one is instructed to eat & drink nothing for 12 hrs; no food & no water except for sips of water with pills that your primary care doctor or surgeon says you are to take prior to surgery (sometimes you can take thyroid or blood pressure meds - if these are usually taken by you upon awakening in the AM). Your surgeon will give you a list of meds you should not take for one (some say two) week(s) prior to surgery: no aspirin, no fish oils, no Vit E or a multivitamin with vitamin E, Ginko biloba (or any other nutritional supplements which has a blood-thinning effect). Persons taking diabetes medication must be given specific instructions from their diabetes doctor.

Nothing by mouth after midnight before the surgery.

Anytime you undergo general anesthesia, the typical protocol is nothing to eat or drink 6 hours prior. No alcohol prior within 48 hours. Also, any medication you are taking should be reviewed by your anesthesiologist, and instructions on which ones to hold. The reason for not eating or drinking is to have the stomach empty of food content to reduce any risk of aspiration during anesthesia. I hope this helps.