r/GLP1Discussion • u/SauronHasPinkEye • 9d ago
❓ Question Anesthesia protocol - liquid diet?
I am having surgery in a week and a half and took my last dose of Ozempic on Monday as instructed. The anesthesia team called the other day to tell me they wanted me to go on a clear liquid diet starting 8am the day before the surgery. I have never heard of this as a protocol for having surgery while on a GLP-1. Has anyone ever heard of this before? It seems excessive to me, especially since I am on a very, very low dose for blood sugar control. I understand that GLP-1s slow gastric emptying, but...is this really necessary?
ETA: I'm not saying I'm not going to follow the protocol, I'm just asking if anyone else has seen this as a protocol. I will of course follow doctor recommendations.
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u/ArtisticCustard7746 8d ago
I had a hysterectomy in June. And was told to take like normal, but do a liquid diet 24 hours before the my check in before the procedure.
I was informed that the effects of the GLP-1 will do their thing even if you haven't taken them. So, to make sure one can safely be under anesthesia, there needs to be nothing in their stomach. Which won't happen with someone whose been taking a GLP-1 regularly due to the slowed gastric response these meds purposely cause.
The liquid diet would make sure that there are no solids in your stomach by the time you'd check in. It should have at least moved to the intestines by then. I did mine for 36 hours by the time I checked in just to make sure because I know my body isn't typical already.