If you are having a surgical procedure, it is important to fast beforehand so it does not interfere with anaesthetic…
In almost all types of anaesthesia it is important that you do not have anything to eat or drink at least 8 hours before an operation. During an anaesthetic the body relaxes, including different muscles in your body. If the body or the muscles in the area where the surgery is taking place, were not relaxed it can be very difficult for the actual surgery to take place.
For instance the lungs and diaphragm relax and that is why a tube is guided into your airway and the Anaesthetist looks after your breathing.
Just like the lungs, the stomach and the surrounding muscles can relax too. If these muscles relax any contents in the stomach can travel up into the breathing tube or into your lungs. It is very dangerous if food, fluid or stomach acids get into your lungs.
This is why it is very important that you do not eat or drink anything including water or chewing gum before an operation. It may not mean that your operation is cancelled because there are many safe anaesthetic alternatives that can be used, but be sure to notify a nurse or doctor of what you ate or drank and what time it was.
For more information on the importance of fasting before surgery or to book an appointment at my Melbourne cosmetic practice, please contact me.