You will usually be given nothing to eat or drink before undergoing a general anesthesia. This is due to the fact that when an anaesthetic is given, your body's reflexes are momentarily slowed. If you have food and drink in your stomach, you run the danger of vomiting or putting food up into your throat. This could cause you to breathe in more deeply or even choke on your tongue. However, if you are having a minor outpatient procedure such as removing a tooth or giving yourself a tattoo, you may be able to have a small amount of clear liquid up to two hours before your surgery. Your doctor will tell you what is allowed before your procedure. Drinking too much before surgery can also be harmful to your health. It can make you feel sleepy but not enough to keep you out of trouble during your operation. Drinking too much can also delay your recovery time because you need to empty your bladder before going under. The best thing to do is to not drink anything by mouth for at least two hours before your surgery. Even with an anaesthetic, some people still vomit so it is best to avoid drinking anything that might go back up.