What not to do before general anesthesia?

Before general anesthesia, you must not eat or drink (including water) for 6-8 hours, stop smoking and drinking alcohol 24 hours prior, avoid blood-thinning meds/NSAIDs/supplements as directed, and remove all makeup, jewelry, nail polish, and piercings for safety and monitoring. You also shouldn't drive yourself home, use illicit drugs, or chew gum, and should arrange a ride.

What should I avoid before anaesthesia?

Before anesthesia, you must not eat or drink anything (including water, gum, or candy) for several hours (usually 6-8+), avoid alcohol and smoking (24+ hours), and stop certain medications like NSAIDs and blood thinners as advised by your doctor, while also removing jewelry, makeup, and nail polish to ensure safety and proper monitoring. These rules prevent dangerous complications like stomach contents entering the lungs during the procedure, so following them strictly is critical, or your surgery may be delayed. 

What is the 2 4 6 rule for anesthesia?

The 2-4-6 rule for anesthesia is a guideline for preoperative fasting, indicating how long patients should abstain from food and drink before surgery to prevent aspiration (inhaling stomach contents): 2 hours for clear liquids, 4 hours for breast milk, and 6 hours for formula or light meals, with heavier meals requiring longer (often 8+). This evidence-based rule, established by the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), replaces older "NPO after midnight" mandates, allowing for shorter, safer fasting times for most healthy patients. 

Can I brush my teeth before general anesthesia?

Yes, you can and should brush your teeth before general anesthesia to reduce infection risk, but you must spit out all water and toothpaste and not swallow any liquids as part of the "nothing by mouth" (NPO) fasting rules, often for 6-8 hours before surgery. Always follow your specific provider's instructions, but generally, brush as usual but carefully, avoiding ingestion of anything to prevent serious aspiration complications.
 

What happens if you drink water before general anesthesia?

If you drink water (or anything else) too close to general anesthesia, it can increase the risk of pulmonary aspiration, where stomach contents come up into your lungs, causing serious issues like infection (pneumonia), low oxygen (hypoxia), or respiratory distress, because anesthesia relaxes your protective reflexes (coughing, swallowing). While you must stop solids hours before, modern guidelines often allow clear liquids (water, black coffee/tea, clear juice) up to 2 hours before surgery to keep you hydrated, but you must follow your specific doctor's NPO (nothing by mouth) instructions to ensure safety. 

What NOT to do before surgery (and can psychedelics prepare you?)

Is there a recommended last meal before surgery?

Usually, no solid food is allowed the morning before surgery. You may be allowed clear liquids like water or clear broth up to 2 hours before the procedure.

What not to do after general anesthesia?

Advice following a general anaesthetic

1. Do not drive a car or ride a bicycle for 24 hours.
2. Do not make important decisions or sign important documents for 24 hours.
3. Do not taking sleeping tablets the first night after your operation.
4. Do not drink alcohol for 24 hours.
5. Make sure you have access to a telephone.

Can I wear deodorant before general anesthesia?

Bathing, creams, lotions, deodorants.

Please shower or bathe the night before your surgery. Your surgeon may request bathing with a special soap; please follow their instructions. Creams and lotions should not be worn on the day of surgery. A light application of deodorant is permissible.

What is the 2 2 2 rule for teeth?

The 2-2-2 rule for teeth is a simple oral hygiene guideline: brush your teeth twice a day, for two minutes each time, and visit the dentist twice a year for checkups and cleanings. This routine helps prevent cavities, gum disease, and keeps your smile healthy by ensuring thorough plaque removal and professional monitoring.
 

Why did the anesthesiologist ask to see my teeth?

Anesthesiologists ask about teeth to prevent damage during intubation (placing a breathing tube), as loose teeth, crowns, bridges, or poor dental health can chip, loosen, or break when the tube is inserted or removed, posing choking hazards and leading to injury, so they assess risk and may take precautions like taping a loose tooth or choosing a different airway technique. They also check for dental issues that could harbor bacteria, increasing infection risk. 

What are the golden rules of anaesthesia?

1. -Never give an anasthetic without a third person being present. 2. - Never give any anaesthetic - unless it be nitrous oxide for a dental operation-without being prepared with another in case the first one proves unsatisfactory.

How many times can you go under general anesthesia?

You can generally have general anesthesia multiple times safely, as there's no fixed limit for healthy individuals, but it depends on age, health, and procedure; doctors often recommend waiting 6-12 weeks between elective surgeries for recovery, allowing the body to heal, though emergencies override this, and personalized advice from your anesthesiologist is crucial for assessing your specific risks. 

How do anesthesiologists know how much anesthesia to give?

Under general anesthesia we are guided by careful monitoring of your vital signs such as blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate. Increases in the preceding signs would indicate light anesthesia and the dose would be increased.

What can mess up anesthesia?

Anesthesia effectiveness and safety are affected by your overall health (heart, lung, kidney issues, diabetes, obesity, sleep apnea), current medications (blood thinners, blood pressure drugs, weight loss meds), lifestyle (smoking, alcohol, marijuana use), allergies, genetics, age, and history of previous reactions, all influencing how your body processes and responds to the drugs. Pre-existing inflammation or infections can also impact local anesthesia, while genetics can alter how quickly you metabolize it. 

What to say before surgery?

Before surgery, you should ask your medical team crucial questions about the procedure, risks, recovery, and medications, while also practicing calming affirmations, prayers, or mindfulness to manage anxiety and set a positive mindset for healing, focusing on comfort and successful outcomes. Be open with your anesthesiologist about all medications, supplements, and substance use (alcohol, recreational drugs) to ensure safety and proper anesthesia.
 

What vitamins should you avoid before surgery?

Before surgery, you should avoid vitamins and supplements that increase bleeding (like Vitamin E, Fish Oil, Garlic, Ginger, Ginkgo, Ginseng, Feverfew) or interfere with anesthesia (like St. John's Wort, Kava, Valerian, Echinacea), as well as high-dose multivitamins, as they can raise bleeding risk, interact with anesthesia, or affect blood sugar/clotting, requiring you to stop them typically 1-2 weeks prior; always tell your doctor about everything you take.
 

When a dentist says 2?

The dental hygienist may notice occasional bleeding during this step. 3. Code 2: Mild to moderate gum disease with bleeding and calculus. A Code 2 score suggests bleeding gums and the presence of calculus.

How do I know if I am overbrushing?

Symptoms of overbrushing include sensitive teeth, bleeding or receding gums, flattened or dull-looking tooth surfaces, yellowing (due to exposed dentin), and rapidly frayed toothbrush bristles, all signaling enamel or gum damage from too much pressure or frequency, leading to potential decay and tooth loss if not corrected.
 

Can dentists tell if you only brush once a day?

Yes, dentists can often tell if you only brush once a day. Signs like plaque buildup, gum inflammation, and tartar reveal brushing frequency during exams.

What do I do if I have no one to pick me up from surgery?

If you have no one to pick you up from surgery, you must arrange professional medical transport or hire a caregiver/nurse to escort you, as hospitals won't release you if sedated; options include specialized medical transport services (like Amera), home care agencies (like Kinkaid Private Care), or asking your clinic for referrals to local services, ensuring they can handle your post-op needs for safe discharge and immediate care at home. 

Do I wash my hair before surgery?

Yes, you generally must wash your hair before surgery, often twice (the night before and the morning of), using your regular shampoo, but you must avoid all hair products (gel, spray, conditioner) and any antibacterial/antiseptic soaps unless specifically instructed for your head/face, to reduce infection risk and prevent flammability. Always follow your surgeon's specific instructions, as some might provide special antiseptic washes (CHG/Hibiclens) for the body but want you to use your normal shampoo on your hair.
 

Do you sweat under general anesthesia?

Patients seldom sweat during general anesthesia. Although excessive draping may cause thermal sweating, this is rare in operating rooms (OR) with air conditioning systems.

What are the 5 W's after surgery?

The most common causes of postoperative fever are often summarized for medical students by a mnemonic beginning with the letter W. The classic list consists of five W's – Wind, Water, Wound, Walking, and Wonder Drugs, but two other causes should also be considered – Wing/Waterway and (W)abscess.

What is the best meal to eat the night before surgery?

Lean Protein

According to the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, adults should aim to eat 46 to 56 grams of protein per day — including the days leading up to your procedure. Some of the best protein-rich foods to eat before surgery include lean meats like chicken and turkey, fish, eggs, and beans.

Can you be left alone after general anaesthetic?

If you have had a general anaesthetic or sedation you will need to have a responsible adult to take you home and to be with you overnight and for up to 24 hours after your surgery. You will not be able to go home alone in a taxi or by public transport.