Question:
What about surgery after the bypass?

I had the open RNY on May 8, 2001. On Jan 23rd I'm sheduled to have nasal surgery (deveated septum and enlarged turnbines). Anyway I was told to stop eating and drinking at midnight which is pretty standard. However I'm always extremely thirsty (and I assume dehydrated) in the morning upon rising. IT DOES'NT SEEM SAFE to go without drinking for 12 hours or so (my surgery could be LATE morning!). I understand that fluid and food in the stomach can come up during surgery and this is a good reason for abstaining. However it would seem that fluid would pass through very quick now and it "seems to me" to be dangerous to be so dehydrated before and during surgery. Has anyone else had surgery post op that was able to drink a few hours before surgery instead of the standard, "quit at midnight"? By the way I've had 11 surgeries so far and I always drink all I can hold at midninght. However now, that won't be much. I am very concerned about this.    — Danmark (posted on January 8, 2002)

January 8, 2002
I have read many discussions on this on the web. There are studies that show it is beneficial either ways. The empty stomach will prevent reflux, however If I remember correctly they say reflux during surgery is very rare. On the other hand, lots of studies show that recovery is easier with food and fluids in you. It gives you strength, and you are not so weak. I was concerned about this, since I had GB removal on 8/2001. I did NOT want to endure another fasting/bowel prep like I expirienced before WLS 8/2000- so I started reading up. I found arguments for/against both. So- when I figured out my bowel prep/pre-surgery starvation was minimal compared to WLS, I just "tried" my best.... ie rather than stop eating at noon, I stopped at 5:00, drank my 12oz. of yuck as fast as I could and went to bed early. Surgery was the next AM, and I made it through OK.
   — Karen R.

January 8, 2002
My rny was at 3 p.m. and the gallbladder surgery I had 6 years before that was at 1 p.m. It was very hard to go that long without drinking as I am a big water drinker. The way I managed was to rinse my mouth and spit out the water before swallowing. A drop or 2 might have made it through but nothing to be concerned about.
   — georgiacarol

January 8, 2002
One of the reasons they want you NPO...nothing by mouth is the possibility of aspirating stomach contents. Keep in mind you will be lying flat during surgery and if you do aspirate it will go to your lungs. Aspiration pneumonia won't be fun! It's better to be safe than sorry! The poster that suggested rinsing mouth and spitting out before swallowing is a good idea! They also have swabs that are moistened you can use...but I would stay away from lemon glycern ones...they are NASTY!!! Laura J
   — Laura J.

January 8, 2002
I couldn't have anything by mouth after midnight the day before my endoscopy for stricture. They start an IV, which re-hydrates you quickly. I wouldn't worry about dehydrating in that short period of time. I didn't drink anything past 9pm the night before and did fine.
   — Cheri M.

January 8, 2002
Follow your doc's orderd, and discuss with him if you have real concerns. Otherwise, a previous poster is right, they will start an IV and it will all be moot. It takes much more than 12 hours to become dehydrated. I just bought a whole house humidifier ($100 at home depot) and I am not dying of thirst in the middle of the night and in the a.m. anymore. ANd my cat's asthma stopped (who knew?). You can buy one at the pharmacy for an infants room for about $20, just keep it clean. It really has made a difference, and will probably really help after nasal surgery (ick).
   — M. A. B.

January 9, 2002
I just wanted to agree with the last poster. I humidifier will be nice before surgery, but it will be absolutely ESSENTIAL afterwards. I had that surgery several years ago and I took home the one they used for me in the hospital, plus two I already had at home. Between the surgery and the day I went back to work (about a week later), I had one going in my bedroom and when I was in the family room watching TV, I had two of them going in that room. I could not have made it through that post-op phase without them.
   — [Anonymous]