2007-01-19 03:02:50 · 11 answers · asked by Dave H 1 in Health ➔ Other - Health
The idea of fasting ( no food/fluids 12 hrs prior to surgery) is to prevent any regurgitation during anaesthesia. If this were to happen you could choke or develop what is known as aspirational or surgically induced pneumonia. The condition is very difficult to treat and death is often the end result in older people.
2007-01-19 03:10:19 · answer #1 · answered by Shelty K 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Solids and Liquids can cause problems during surgery. Even eating a piece of toast for breakfast and then have surgery 3 hours later can affect the way sedation, freezing and being put to sleep affects the body. Liquids can cause vomiting.
2007-01-19 03:11:48 · answer #2 · answered by trinity082482 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's all about the patient safety during the surgery. The Anesthetist or Anesthesiologist needs to have your stomach empty,because during "induction" phase you could easily vomit and aspirate the stomach contents into the lungs,causing an airway obstruction and pneumonia that could cause some serious complications. During the "wake-up" phase, most people respond with nausea and vomiting,another chance to aspirate stomach contents. Recovery room staff will give some IV meds to prevent that. Take care. SW RNP
2007-01-19 03:14:55 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
exactly_ if you go in for surgery and there are (God forbid) any complications, they don't need to be worrying about what's in your stomach that might be making its way out and into your lungs. Once anything gets in your lungs, its a downhill battle from there w/ infections, pneumonia, etc. Just heed your Doc's advice and don't.
2007-01-19 03:12:35 · answer #4 · answered by az_showers 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Alot of time they don't want u to eat or drink before surgery because they don't want u getting sick, they want an empty stomach and bladder.
2007-01-19 03:06:51 · answer #5 · answered by Krissy 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because the meds given can make you vomit and the insertion of the breathing tubes can trigger your gag reflex. If you have fluids in your stomach, up they will come and you could aspirate them (suck them into your lungs).
2007-01-19 03:10:32 · answer #6 · answered by Sabrina 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
So that your stomach is empty. If you cheat, you might vomit the fluid in your stomach and it could end up in your lungs. This could cause many things including death
2007-01-19 03:11:20 · answer #7 · answered by rgn_gray 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
they want your stomach empty so you wont vomit all over the place and aspirate it into your lungs, causing alot of complications
2007-01-19 03:06:21 · answer #8 · answered by Brian 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
IF YOU ARE HAVING A GENERAL ANAESTHETIC AND YOU HAVE FLUIDS IN YOUR STOMACH. YOU MOST LIKELY WILL REGURGITATE AND FLUIDS WILL ENTER YOUR LUNGS AND YOU MAY END UP LOSING YOUR LIFE.
2007-01-19 03:52:47 · answer #9 · answered by GLORIA S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They don't want to throw up and choke on anything while you are put under.
2007-01-19 03:07:50 · answer #10 · answered by moobiemuffin 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋