Procedure prep
Fasting Before Appendix Surgery
An appendectomy removes the appendix, usually by keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery under general anesthesia. Because appendicitis is often urgent, the fasting rules can work differently than for planned surgery.
Fasting for this procedure
→ Get your exact fasting times with the calculator
Medicines to check
- Blood thinners (aspirin, clopidogrel, warfarin, Eliquis, Xarelto) — see medications to stop.
- Diabetes medicines & insulin — they need a plan. See diabetes tablets.
- GLP-1 (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro) — tell your team. See the GLP-1 guide.
- Blood pressure medicines — confirm which to take with a sip of water and which to hold.
When this surgery may be delayed
- Fever, a new cough/cold, or a chest infection
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Very high blood pressure or blood sugar
- You ate or drank outside your fasting window
Reports & documents to carry
- Photo ID and insurance card
- A written list of all your medicines and doses
- Any blood tests, ECG, or scans your team asked for
- Consent forms or referral letters, and allergy details
- Any scan reports (ultrasound or CT) if you have them
- The exact time you last ate or drank
What to ask your anesthesia team
- Is this being treated as an emergency or a planned operation?
- Will I have general anesthesia, spinal/regional, or sedation?
- Which medicines do I take or hold on the morning of surgery?
- When can I eat and drink afterward?
- Will I go home the same day, and who can drive me?
- Will it be keyhole (laparoscopic) or open surgery?
Your prep checklist
Tick things off as you sort them — saved on this device only, nothing is sent anywhere.
A general guide — your hospital's own instructions always come first.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to fast before emergency appendix surgery?
Ideally yes, but appendicitis often can't wait for a full fasting window. If it's urgent, your anesthesia team uses special techniques to protect your airway even on a fuller stomach. The most important thing is to tell them honestly when you last ate and drank.
Why do my shoulders hurt after keyhole appendix surgery?
Keyhole surgery uses carbon-dioxide gas to inflate the abdomen. Some gas irritates the diaphragm, and that pain is felt in the shoulder tip for a day or two. It's normal, not a heart or lung problem — gentle walking and the pain relief your team gives you help it settle.
Will I go home the same day?
Many keyhole appendectomies are day-case or one night, but if your appendix had burst or you were very unwell you may stay longer for antibiotics. Arrange a responsible adult to take you home after general anesthesia.