Instructions for patients taking a GLP-1 medication.
This page explains what you can eat and drink before a procedure if you take a GLP‑1 medication. Your surgeon may give you different instructions. If they did, follow those instructions.
Following these instructions helps reduce anesthesia risks and keeps your care team informed about how your medication may affect your stomach before a procedure at UVM Health.
Common GLP-1 Medications
| Injectable(s) | Taken by Mouth |
|---|---|
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Pre-Procedure Instructions for GLP-1 Medication
The Day Before Procedure
- Do not eat solid food. Drink clear liquids only.
- Drink enough fluids to stay hydrated.
- Use the Allowed Liquids list below.
Allowed Liquids
You may have:
- Water
- Apple, cranberry or grape juice
- Sports drinks (Gatorade® or PowerAde®)
- Black coffee or plain tea (no milk or cream)
- Clear broth (vegetable or chicken, no chunks)
- Ginger ale or seltzer
- Jello® or Italian ice (no fruit pieces)
Why No Solid Food?
- GLP‑1 medications can keep food in your stomach for more than 24 hours.
- Foods with fat or cream stay in your stomach even longer.
- Clear liquids leave your stomach faster.
- An empty stomach is safest for anesthesia.
The Day of Procedure
- Do not drink broth.
- You may take small sips of water, a sports drink or apple juice if you are thirsty or need to take medicines.
- Stop all drinks three hours before your scheduled procedure time.
Key Points
- Follow these instructions unless your surgeon gave you different diet instructions.
- Drink clear liquids only the day before procedure.
- Stop drinking anything three hours before your scheduled procedure time.
Some GLP-1 medications are prescribed to be taken every day. These can be in pill form or injections you take daily. These medications work a little differently than the GLP-1 medications that are prescribed once per week.
Medication Instructions
If you take a GLP-1 medication every day:
- Do not take the medication the day of your procedure.
Diet Instructions
- You do not need to change your diet the day before procedure.
- Stop eating solid food at midnight (12:00 AM) the night before your procedure.
If You Are Unsure What to Do
If you did not receive special diet instructions but you know that you take a GLP-1 medication (any kind), or you are unsure what to do:
- You can safely follow the same clear-liquid diet that applies to the weekly GLP-1 medications.
- Ask your care team if you have questions or need clarification.
- This applies to GLP-1 medications that you may be receiving from online retailers.