Before Surgery

On the evening before your surgery, you should not eat solid food after the time instructed by your physician. Be sure to check with your surgeon about the kind of anesthesia you are to receive and the preparations he or she wishes you to make. If you are to have a local anesthetic, you may be allowed clear liquids. If you are having an intravenous local or a general anesthetic, you should not eat or drink six to eight hours before coming to the hospital. Be sure you clearly understand your surgeon's wishes as to the time to stop eating and drinking the night before surgery.

Most surgeons recommend that you do not eat anything for eight hours before surgery. This is a common rule: if your surgery is in the morning do not eat after midnight the night before surgery. This rule applies even if you have a local anesthetic. If you eat or drink even small amounts your surgeon may cancel your surgery. This is for your own safety. If you have food in your stomach and you vomit, some of that food may enter your lungs. This is a very serious complication. So no matter how tempted you are, do not eat or drink before surgery. It is a good idea to eat a nourishing diet for a week or two before surgery. Consider increasing your vitamin C intake. Do not go on a strict diet before your operation.

If you accidentally eat or drink after the time you were told not to, please notify your surgeon early in the morning before coming to the hospital. Surgery may have to be cancelled if you eat or drink after the time indicated. Do not drink alcoholic beverages the evening or day before surgery.
 

After Surgery

Pain is to be expected. Pain medicines most likely will be prescribed for all but the most minor procedures. These will lessen the pain but will not remove it. Liberal use of pain medicine in the first 24 hours is recommended. Unless otherwise instructed, pain medicines should be taken with food, as most pain medicines can cause nausea or stomach upset. Nausea and vomiting are not unusual after surgery, particularly in the first 24 to 48 hours, and after general anesthesia.