Eli5: why surgery fasting time is the same for everyone

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This one is inspired by a post I just saw about why you need to fast (puking, stomach acids in lungs, etc)
But here’s the thing. I have indigestion. I swear I’ve puked up DAYS old food before. If I fast 6/12/24 hours and the food is still there isn’t that still the same risk?
I’ve had lots of surgeries with no problems but.. I feel like this is a problem?

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Anonymous 0 Comments

I am not a doctor, but there’s very little chance you’ve vomited “days’ old food” without some extreme form of gastroparesis. The fasting time that is briefed to a patient is based on the fact that the vast majority of people’s stomachs empty their contents in a reasonably similar amount of time. If your history indicates a disease like gastroparesis or otherwise, I have to imagine your fasting time would be adjusted accordingly.

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