N.p.o.

[kyrrin1 25]

Been reading alot of posts . Some make me thoughtful, and some give me hope. But some make me giggle.....NPO is latin for:

N nothing

P per (latin for by)

O os (latin for mouth)

Which is loosly translated to mean: nothing by mouth.

The danger in anesthesia is that as you intubate a person and they have food in their stomach they could aspirate the stomach contents. Hence anesthesia keeps you NPO after midnight for surgery.

I see that there is a great range of pre-op restrictions to food some liquid for 1-2 weeks and some just a reasonable diet and NPO 24 hours before the procedure.

I think the doctors that restrict calories 1-2 weeks prior to procedure are being kinder to the pt.

I went from 3300 yes 3 3 0 0 cal per day to 600/day post op. It was like hitting a freight train of hunger. It left me very weak and tired after surgery. Now .....back to today's posts.... love em!

[123crod 170]

Just hang in there you will get use to it. It will all be worth it!

cheri