During Diabetes Awareness Month, national anesthesiology practice outlines what patients need to know about blood sugar, medications and GLP-1s before anesthesia

DALLAS, Nov. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — U.S. Anesthesia Partners, Inc. (USAP), a leading single-specialty anesthesia practice, is urging patients with diabetes to start preparing for surgery weeks before the day of their procedure. The call comes during National Diabetes Awareness Month, observed each November, and follows major recent updates to perioperative guidance for patients with diabetes.

Diabetes is common in operating rooms because it is common everywhere. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 40 million Americans have diagnosed or undiagnosed diabetes — nearly 12 percent of the U.S. population. Blood sugar that runs too high or too low around the time of surgery can complicate anesthesia and recovery, which is why a growing body of guidance now asks patients and care teams to plan ahead.

USAP has advised patients on GLP-1 medications since 2025 to disclose their use early and follow preoperative instructions closely. That advice applies with added weight to patients with diabetes, who often take a GLP-1 alongside insulin or other glucose-lowering drugs.

The American Diabetes Association’s (ADA) Standards of Care in Diabetes 2026 set specific targets for the surgical period. To improve outcomes after elective surgery, the ADA recommends an A1C below 8 percent within three months before the procedure, and blood glucose between 100 and 180 mg/dL before, during and after surgery. Patients who use continuous glucose monitors may be able to use their recent CGM data in place of an A1C test.

Guidance on GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic and Mounjaro has also changed. Under multi-society guidance issued by the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) and four gastroenterology and surgical societies, most patients can keep taking their GLP-1 before an elective procedure. Patients at the highest risk of delayed stomach emptying, including those just starting the drug or increasing their dose and those with significant gastrointestinal symptoms, may be asked to follow a liquid-only diet for 24 hours beforehand.

Because these drugs slow digestion, food can remain in the stomach longer than standard fasting rules assume. That raises the risk of aspiration, when stomach contents enter the lungs during anesthesia. Missed instructions can also lead to a canceled or postponed procedure.

What Patients with Diabetes Should Know Before Anesthesia

• Tell your care team early. Let your surgeon and anesthesia team know you have diabetes as soon as a procedure is scheduled. Bring a complete list of your medications, including insulin, pills, injectables and supplements.
• Know your A1C. The ADA recommends an A1C below 8 percent within three months before elective surgery. If yours is higher, ask whether improving it first makes sense.
• Get instructions for every diabetes medication. Some medications continue as usual, some need dose changes and some are paused. SGLT2 inhibitors are typically stopped three to four days before surgery.
• Disclose GLP-1 use as early as possible. Most patients can continue these medications, but you may be asked to follow a liquid diet the day before your procedure. Follow those instructions exactly.
• Plan for the fasting period. Ask how and when to check your blood sugar while you are not eating before surgery, and what to do if it runs low.
• Be candid. If you were unable to follow your preoperative instructions, tell your care team before the procedure so they can make an informed decision that puts your safety first.

(Please note: The information provided in this release is for informational purposes only, does not take the place of consultation with one’s physician, and does not constitute medical advice or establish a physician-patient relationship.)

About U.S. Anesthesia Partners

U.S. Anesthesia Partners, Inc. (USAP) is a physician-owned and clinician-led organization dedicated to providing high-quality anesthesia services. USAP anesthesiologists, certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), and certified anesthesiologist assistants (CAAs) work in more than 700 facilities across the country to provide anesthesia care for nearly 3 million cases annually. USAP’s 5,000 clinicians have expertise in many anesthesia subspecialties, including pediatric, cardiac and obstetric anesthesia. USAP’s data-driven quality metrics enable continuous innovation and improvements that are shared across the organization, facilitating the delivery of consistent, high-quality services for patients, surgeons, facilities, and health plans. To learn more about USAP, visit http://www.usap.com/.

Contact:

Frank Ahrens, BGR PR
fahrens@bgrpr.com
202.661.6313

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SOURCE USAP