Your stomach contents could literally choke you under anesthesia.
General anesthesia puts you into a deep, drug-induced sleep. It shuts down your body's automatic reflexes, including the ones that keep your airway clear. When you are under, you cannot cough or swallow to protect your throat.
Your stomach normally contains acid and food. If you eat before surgery, that food remains in your stomach while you are unconscious. If your body accidentally vomits during the procedure, you could inhale the contents into your lungs, which is called aspiration. This causes serious lung infections or even fatal blockage.
We require an empty stomach to keep your lungs safe during surgery. Even small amounts of water or a light snack can trigger the release of digestive juices. These juices are enough to create a danger during the intubation process.
You can usually drink clear liquids shortly after waking up in the recovery room. We will slowly advance you to solid foods once we confirm your digestive system is waking up properly. Follow these instructions precisely to avoid a delayed discharge or complications.