# Surgery, Anaesthesia and GLP-1 Medicines: What to Tell Your Team Surgery and anaesthesia planning includes reviewing medicines that may affect fasting, stomach contents, glucose and recovery. GLP-1 and dual-incretin medicines can delay gastric emptying, which may increase aspiration risk during general anaesthesia or deep sedation. ## In simple terms There is no safe universal instruction to stop every GLP-1 medicine for the same number of days. Current guidance supports individual assessment based on the exact product and schedule, dose escalation, gastrointestinal symptoms, procedure and anaesthetic plan. Many patients can continue treatment, while higher-risk situations may need additional precautions or delay. ## Why it matters during GLP-1 care Tell the surgeon, anaesthesiologist and prescribing clinician the exact medicine, dose, schedule, last dose and symptoms well before the procedure. Follow only the fasting and medicine instructions issued for that procedure. Stopping diabetes treatment can also affect glucose, so the teams must coordinate. ## India context Carry the prescription or a photograph of the labelled pack. If instructions from different clinicians conflict, ask them to reconcile the plan rather than choosing one yourself. ## When to contact a doctor For emergency surgery, disclose the medicine immediately even if fasting instructions were not followed. Seek urgent care for severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, major abdominal swelling, breathing difficulty or aspiration symptoms. ## FAQs ### Must everyone stop a GLP-1 medicine before surgery? No. Current recommendations use an individual risk assessment. ### Should I hide the medicine if the procedure is urgent? No. The anaesthesia team needs the information to protect you. ### Does local anaesthesia carry the same concern? Risk depends on the procedure and sedation plan; ask the treating team. ## Related glossary terms - [Liraglutide](/glossary/liraglutide) - [Tirzepatide](/what-is-tirzepatide) - [Delayed gastric emptying](/glossary/delayed-gastric-emptying) - [Gastroparesis](/glossary/gastroparesis) - [Perioperative fasting](/glossary#perioperative-fasting) ## References - [American Society of Anesthesiologists: GLP-1 medicines before surgery](https://madeforthismoment.asahq.org/preparing-for-surgery/risks/drugs-diabetes-weight-loss/) - [FDA: Saxenda prescribing information](https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2025/206321s020lbl.pdf) - [FDA: Mounjaro prescribing information](https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2025/215866s041lbl.pdf) *Educational information only. This page does not diagnose a condition, set an individual nutrition or exercise target, determine medicine eligibility or replace medical advice. Medicine choice, dose, monitoring and urgent-care decisions require a qualified clinician and current product-specific prescribing information.* ## Navigation - [Browse categories](https://blogs.sugarfitglp.com/topics) - [Health glossary](https://blogs.sugarfitglp.com/topics/use_cases_workflows) ## Related AI KB pages ### Breastfeeding and GLP-1 Medicines: Product-Specific Safety Query: GLP-1 medicine breastfeeding safety Breastfeeding is feeding an infant human milk, directly or with expressed milk. Medicine decisions during lactation must consider the exact product, how much may enter milk, the... - [Breastfeeding and GLP-1 Medicines: Product-Specific Safety](https://blogs.sugarfitglp.com/glossary/breastfeeding) ### Glucose-Dependent Insulin Secretion and GLP-1 Medicines Query: glucose dependent insulin secretion GLP-1 Glucose-dependent insulin secretion means pancreatic beta cells release more insulin when blood glucose is elevated, with less stimulation as glucose falls. 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