Should You Take Diabetes Medication Before Sedation Anesthesia, or Not?

Preoperative Medication Precautions: Simple, But Important to Know!

Hello, I’m Dr. Lim Seong-yoon from Just Plastic Surgery.

Today, I’d like to explain “taking medication before surgery,” which many people find confusing.

If you are preparing for a procedure that involves sedation anesthesia, be sure to read this!

For procedures that include sedation anesthesia, what should you do about medications?

At our hospital, most surgeries and procedures, such as lifting procedures, eye surgery, and fat repositioning, are performed under sedation anesthesia. At this time, fasting is essential. Usually, at least 4 hours of fasting is required before sedation anesthesia.

During this process, there is one question patients ask most often.

“Then should I stop taking the medications I usually take?”

✅ Basic principle

👉 Most medications can be taken in the morning with a small amount of water.

But there are exceptions.

❗️Exception 1: Diabetes medication (oral hypoglycemic agents, including insulin) Diabetes medication must not be taken before surgery.

Why?

Taking diabetes medication while fasting greatly increases the risk of hypoglycemia. Especially if hypoglycemia occurs during sedation anesthesia, it may be difficult to recognize, and it can also affect recovery.

👉 If your surgery is in the morning: do not take diabetes medication that would normally be taken with breakfast. 👉 If your surgery is in the afternoon: you may take diabetes medication after breakfast, and you only need to observe at least 4 hours of fasting before surgery.

Of course, even if you happen to have taken your diabetes medication, we are thoroughly prepared with blood sugar monitoring and emergency measures, so there is no need to worry. However, following the preoperative instructions will make surgery safer and more comfortable!

❗️Exception 2: Antithrombotic agents / Aspirin / Blood circulation medications Medications such as warfarin, Plavix, aspirin, and Cilostazol that thin the blood increase the risk of bleeding during surgery. These medications need to be stopped 7 days before surgery.

👉 Antithrombotic agents prevent blood clots by inhibiting platelet aggregation, but they can also make hemostasis during surgery more difficult, increasing the risk of bleeding.

※ Please be sure to consult the internal medicine or cardiology specialist who prescribed the medication before stopping it!

✨ In closing

Today, we covered one of the most basic yet easily overlooked preoperative medication precautions.

At Just Plastic Surgery, during the pre-surgery consultation process, we carefully check the medications you are taking, whether you have any underlying medical conditions, and your fasting time, so please share this information with us in advance without hesitation 😊

And if you want to look younger? We’ll help you achieve a more youthful impression. Experience safe and healthy beauty at Just Plastic Surgery.

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