You usually can drink water before surgery, and clear fluids are typically allowed until 2 hours before anesthesia. Clear liquids like water do not increase the risk of aspiration, which means stomach fluid going into the lungs, in healthy adults having elective surgery. Typical fasting guidance is 6 hours for solids and 2 hours for clear fluids. Some hospitals may use a different schedule, and some people need longer fasting if they have trouble emptying the stomach or swallowing. Verify the exact plan with your surgical or anesthesia team in case they want something different for you.