Ozempic & Surgery: Why One Shot Can Raise Aspiration Risk Under Anesthesia

Dr. Alain Polynice explains that GLP-1 medications like Ozempic can delay gastric emptying, causing food to remain in the stomach longer than expected and increasing the risk of reflux and aspiration during general anesthesia, which can lead to serious, potentially life-threatening aspiration pneumonia. He emphasizes stopping GLP-1 medications before any surgery to reduce this danger, noting that the American Society of Anesthesiologists recommends discontinuing them at least one week prior, while he takes a more conservative approach by advising patients to stop all GLP-1 medications two to three weeks before surgery to minimize the chance of aspiration during anesthesia.

00:00 Ozempic Surgery Warning

00:24 Why GLP-1 Slows Digestion

00:32 Fasting Risk Under Anesthesia

00:39 When to Stop Before Surgery

01:04 ASA Guidelines Update

01:20 Conservative Two-Week Rule

00:00 Final Safety Takeaway

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