For Patients
NPO Guidelines for Patients
Before having anesthesia for surgery or a procedure, it is important not to eat or drink before. During anesthesia, the ability to cough and protect your lungs is suppressed and may lead to aspiration, the inhalation of stomach contents. This is dangerous as it may lead to life threatening pneumonia requiring intubation and hospitalization. Even chewing gum may cause this as it activates stomach acid.
To prevent aspiration, The American Society of Anesthesiologist recommend waiting:
8 hours after heavy meals
6 hours after a light, nonfatty meal (toast, crackers)
2 hours after clear liquids (black coffee, soda, juice without pulp)
What medications should I stop before surgery?
Types of Anesthesia
Monitored Anesthesia Care (MAC)
Consists of an anesthesiologist being available to monitor your vital signs and ensure your safety. It can consist of local anesthesia only to sedation.
Light Sedation
A groggy state but awake enough to follow instructions and communicate.
Moderate Sedation
Anesthesia is given to a patient so that they are asleep through a procedure but can respond to touch or when spoken to.
Deep Sedation
Medications are given through the IV to have the patient sleep and not be conscious during a procedure. Typically, you are asleep enough, so you do not respond to voice or touch until the end of the procedure.
General Anesthesia
A combination of medications are given to a patient to make them completely unconscious until the end of the procedure. A breathing device may be inserted into the patient’s mouth and airway to ensure safe breathing. It is removed at the end and patients may or may not recall the breathing device.
Regional Anesthesia and Nerve Blocks
Local anesthetic medication is injected to the area around the nerve to the corresponding area of surgery. This will result in a numbing sensation to the affected surgical area and possibly muscle weakness. The condition is temporary and typically wears off 12-24 hours later. Some nerve blocks may last up to 3 days. When the nerve block starts to wear off, consider taking pain medication if prescribed. Should you have continued numbness or weakness past 3 days, contact your medical provider.
Local Anesthesia
A single injection that numbs the body to minimize pain from surgery.
Spinal Anesthesia
An injection into the lower back that causes decreased sensation and movement to the lower half of the body for approximately 3 hours. It can be used for total knee and hip replacements. It offers several advantages over general anesthesia, including faster recovery time, less risk of nausea and vomiting, and reduced need for post-operative pain medication. Additionally, because it only affects the lower part of the body, patients can remain awake and aware during the procedure if desired.