If you’re one of the 15 million Americans taking a GLP-1 drug like Ozempic, you might be wondering if and when you need to stop taking it before a planned surgery. Your medical team will provide guidance ahead of your procedure about when to stop taking certain medications and how soon you should start fasting. But research suggests that people taking Ozempic and Wegovy might benefit from fasting for a longer period of time than is normally recommended.
Ozempic and Wegovy (semaglutide) are once-weekly injections to treat Type 2 diabetes in adults. Ozempic is not approved for weight loss by the Food and Drug Administration, but Wegovy is. They are both GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs, as are exenatide (Byetta) and dulaglutide (Trulicity).
In this blog, we’ll take a look at delayed gastric emptying, the main concern regarding semaglutide and surgery, and what you can do to stay safe.
Delayed Gastric Emptying
Semaglutide causes delayed gastric emptying. This is when your stomach processes food very slowly, helping you feel full longer, lower your blood sugar and promote weight loss.
While delayed gastric emptying is great for weight loss, it can pose a risk for those with a planned surgery. Because it increases the odds of having undigested food in your stomach, it also increases the risk for aspiration during surgery. Aspiration, when stomach contents are accidentally inhaled into the lungs, can be dangerous and lead to pneumonia.
Research Findings
Before surgery, your anesthesiologist may conduct a gastric ultrasonography to see if there is any food or liquid in your stomach that could be aspirated during surgery. This is a quick, painless imaging scan to create an image of the inside of your stomach. Your pre-operative team will have told you when to begin fasting so that your stomach is empty before going into surgery. But one study conducted at UT Health Houston suggests that the pre-operative fasting guidelines for those taking GLP-1 receptor agonists may need to be changed.
A 2024 study published in JAMA Surgery found that 56% of people using GLP-1 receptor agonists (like Ozempic) had residual stomach contents before surgery despite fasting for the recommended amount of time.
Researchers suggest that people who take Ozempic may need to begin fasting (refraining from food) earlier than those who don’t take Ozempic to reduce the risk of aspiration.
Guidelines for Patients on Ozempic and Wegovy
It’s important to tell your doctor and care team about all medications you’re taking, including vitamins and supplements. This helps them plan your care and make recommendations specific to you and your condition.
Tell your doctor or surgeon if you’re taking a GLP-1 receptor agonist like Ozempic, Wegovy or Trulicity. They can make better-informed pre-operative recommendations about dosing and fasting when they have all of your health information. It may even help you avoid having to reschedule an elective procedure if you haven’t fasted for long enough.
The Importance of Patient-Doctor Communication
Communicating with your provider is the best way to ensure a great outcome after surgery.
Your doctor will make every effort to go over your health history and answer your questions about the procedure. Pre-operative appointments are a great opportunity to bring a list of questions and a support person to help you remember everything. Learn more about how to make the most of your next appointment in our blog.
Surgery at University Health
The surgeons and anesthesiologists at University Health perform thousands of procedures each year, with patient safety being our top priority. Learn more about our surgical services online.
