“Don’t eat or drink anything for 8 hours before your appointment”

What’s up with not eating or drinking before a surgical appointment under anesthesia?  Here’s why it’s dangerous- when you’re under anesthesia, your muscles, including the muscles and reflexes in your throat are relaxed and the chance that you could vomit while you’re sedated is increased.  If you have any food or liquid in your stomach, you could aspirate (inhale into your lungs) whatever was vomited.  Aspirating anything at all can be potentially fatal, if it’s not addressed.  Sooo, we’re not just trying to make your life difficult, by asking you not to eat or drink, we’re trying to keep you safe and make your procedure as complication-free as possible.