Fasting Instructions

You should continue to eat and drink normally until the times written in the fasting instructions. If you have been prescribed a laxative drink to clean out your bowels before your surgery, then you will need to follow your separate instructions.

If you are admitted the day prior to your surgery, the ward staff will advise you of your fasting instructions.

If you are having surgery in the morning

• Eat normally up until midnight the night before your surgery
• DO NOT eat anything after this, including no chewing gum
• You can drink water (and Preloads) until 05:30 the morning of your surgery

If you are having surgery in the afternoon*

• You can have a light breakfast of tea and toast before 06:00 the day of your surgery
• DO NOT eat anything after this, including no chewing gum
• You can drink water (and Preloads) until 10:00 the morning of your surgery

*If the timing of your surgery has not been specified, please follow the instructions for morning surgery.

Preload instructions

Preload is a carbohydrate loading drink. It provides the body with energy during the period of starvation. Research shows that the drinks can prevent a rise in blood sugar levels, minimise protein loss, reduce hospital stay and improve patient comfort.

You will not be given Preload drinks if you are a diabetic

Preparation guidelines

• Pour 400ml of water into a cup.
• Add the sachet of preload and stir continuously until the powder has dissolved.

When do you need to take them?

If you are having your surgery in the morning

• The evening prior to your surgery, drink one sachet of Preload with your evening meal and the second sachet at bedtime.
• The morning of surgery, drink the third sachet of Preload before 05:30 am

If you are having your surgery in the afternoon*

• The evening prior to your surgery, drink one sachet of Preload at bedtime.
• The morning of surgery, drink the second sachet of Preload before 07:00 am and the third sachet before 10:00 am

*If the timing of your surgery has not been specified, please follow the instructions for morning surgery.