Pre Op fasting question please help

[thinkingslim70 0]

Hi everyone

I'm having my op tomorrow. I got told not to eat or drink after 7am so I'm going to get up early and have a coffee and Breakfast. I would really love to have a piece of toast. I didn't think to ask my dietician if that was ok or does it still have to be Optifast? My thoughts are that one piece of toast so close to surgery can't possibly have any effect on my liver - could it?

[kimaly 57]

I'm no Doctor But you should have a empty tummy. I can just tell you what they told me: nothing after 7:00 am and only liquids before that, after midnight. You don't want to vomit durring surgery. That's the point of not eating right before, The shrinking of the liver is the pre-op diet not the eating right before surgery. as with any surgery you are not to eat before. It can cause your surgery to be postponed. A peice of toast is not worth it

[thinkingslim70 0]

Thanks - such different perspectives - they told me nothing to eat or drink after 7am. I don't go into the hospital until 12:30 and surgery will be sometime in the afternoon but you're right better to be safe than sorry so i'll just have a coffee and some juice.< /p>

[TQUAD64 9]

Are you are stating that you are having surgery on 12/8/08 and that your doctor told you can not have Fluid or food after 7:00 a.m. If that is the case, I would call and get some clarification.

I have had 11 surgeries and each time I was instructed no food or Fluid after midnight. The only exception was an instruction to take my thyroid medication the morning of surgery with a small sip of Water.

I would be careful. If you have something in your tummy and you vomit during surgery, it could be potentially serious.

[thinkingslim70 0]

Yes my letter clearly states nothing to eat or drink after 7am and they said the same thing when they rang to confirm on friday. It is my understanding that you shouldn't eat or drink at least 6 hours prior to surgery.

[lipstix64 1]

Hi everyone

I'm having my op tomorrow. I got told not to eat or drink after 7am so I'm going to get up early and have a coffee and breakfast. I would really love to have a piece of toast. I didn't think to ask my dietician if that was ok or does it still have to be Optifast? My thoughts are that one piece of toast so close to surgery can't possibly have any effect on my liver - could it?

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! You are told not to eat for a reason-Anesthesia!!!!.. You have to have an empty stomach, otherwise you can vomit and choke to death while you are under. Thats why you cant have any Water either or just a tiny sip when they give you the anti-nausea pill. My surgery was 8am and I couldnt eat or drink past midnite. What time is your surgery? Let me tell you a story- my friend husband was scheduled for surgery and asked a nurse( a stupid nurse)while at the hospital if he can have something to eat before and she told him yes. So, he ate. Then when being prepped for surgery he mentioned that he had eaten and they couldnt believe a nurse would give him this incorrect info. His surgery had to be re-scheduled because of it. As with any surgery, you cant eat before and usually after midnite the night before. You should really ask again about that.. I woulnt take any chances. Good luck. BTW, bring chapstick and a pillow for the ride home so the seatbelt wont bother you.

[aprildurham23 0]

I am going in tomorrow, and I can only have Clear Liquids after midnight, then absolutely NOTHING after 6am. No Water, no gum - NOTHING. They said it's because the digestive juices need to stop flowing and everything should be totally cleared out. I would think TOAST is the LAST thing you should eat! Don't risk it. It's not about your liver at this point, it's about making sure your digestive tract is clear.

[Annie0341 0]

It's usually nothing by mouth, including Water from midnight the night before. Not for diet reasons but to reduce the risk of vomiting under anesthia and aspirating. Very dangerous stuff. I'd skip it all together.

[GiJane 0]

I want to say reading these posts have helped me stay motivated and focused during my pre-op fast. My surgery is Tuesday and it has been challenge at times. I think some of us as we get down to the wire, start struggling and rationalizing. We have to stay focused and follow the instructions of the doctor. We come too far to mess up now. We don't want issues in the operating room while we are under or thereafter. The mere thought of business no longer being usual is a loss we have to grieve. We will lose weight, but no more overeating or emotional eating because there will be consequences. Lets work this plan and stop trying to find ways around it. Follow the instructions given by your doctor and lets be successful together. I say this to this lapband community but also to myself. Whether insurance or self pay, to cost of failure is too much. It is time we enjoy life the way we deserve.:sad_smile: Lets do this!!!!

[Jachut 487]

Not eating or drinking after 7 am means you can have some breakfast, it will be cleared by surgery time. But I think I'd probably not eat either. I'd drink a BUCKET of coffee though, to get me through the day, lol.

As to toast, if you really want a piece of toast, have one the night before. Its NOT going to suddenly well your liver to the size of a basketball. As far as last suppers go, that's a fairly reasonable one.