Procedure prep
Fasting Before Shoulder Arthroscopy
Shoulder arthroscopy is keyhole surgery on the shoulder joint. It's commonly a day case done under general anesthesia, very often combined with a nerve block (an interscalene block) that keeps the arm comfortable for many hours afterward — so fasting still applies.
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
- A skin infection or broken skin over the shoulder
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
- Your shoulder MRI or X-ray reports
- A sling if you've been given one
- A responsible adult to drive you home
What to ask your anesthesia team
- 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 I have an interscalene nerve block, and how long will my arm stay numb?
- How should I support my arm, and when do I start pain medicine?
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 for shoulder arthroscopy?
Yes. It's keyhole day-case surgery but done under general anesthesia, so stop solids about 8 hours before and clear liquids about 2 hours before your arrival time.
What is the nerve block for shoulder surgery?
Many shoulder operations use an interscalene block — an injection near the neck that numbs the shoulder and arm for roughly 12–18 hours, giving excellent pain relief. Your arm will feel heavy and numb at first; keep it supported in the sling and protected.
When should I take pain medicine after the block?
Start your prescribed pain medicine before the block fully wears off — at the first tingling — so the pain doesn't return suddenly. Our nerve block wear-off timer estimates the window and lets you set an alarm.