Questions and Answers – What Is What?

It’s important for your stomach to be empty when you’re put under anaesthesia for surgery, so we’ll need to give you extra fluid containing nutrients so that you don’t get too hungry or thirsty. This fluid goes directly into your bloodstream. In hospitals, we often call this a drip. The drip is in a bag that hangs on your bed, or on a rack next to your bed. The fluid in the bag drips into your body through a long tube that’s connected to the plastic tube inserted in your blood vessel. This fluid contains water, salt, sugar, and sometimes medicine – exactly what your body needs before, during, and after an operation. What’s more, you’ll often find that the drip is still in place when you wake up after your operation.