How Long Before Surgery Should I Stop Eating Edibles? 6 Alternatives

Planning for a surgical procedure can feel stressful, especially for people who use edibles for pain relief, anxiety and chronic pain, or simple routine.

Many patients wonder how long before surgery they should stop eating edibles, and the answer matters because cannabis products can change how anesthesia drugs work and may increase the risk of breathing problems.

How Long Before Surgery Should I Stop Eating Edibles?

Stop eating edibles at least 72 hours before surgery. That means no THC or other cannabis products for the three full days prior to surgery, and do not use cannabis on the day of surgery.

Reasons to Postpone Edibles Before Surgery

Edibles can feel like a simple part of daily life, but the body treats them differently around anesthesia and a surgical procedure. Pausing cannabis consumption before surgery helps the surgical team keep breathing, heart function, and sedation steady.

• Unpredictable anesthesia response: THC and other cannabinoid effects can change how anesthesia drugs work, sometimes leading to higher doses of anesthesia or a higher dose needed to keep sedation safe.
• Higher risk for airway and respiratory issues: Cannabis use can increase the risk of airway reactivity and other respiratory effects, which can make it harder to place a breathing tube and may lead to breathing problems during surgery.
• Changes in heart rate and blood pressure: Marijuana can affect heart rate and blood pressure, raising concern for complications during surgery, especially close to the surgery date or day of surgery.
• Possible need to postpone surgery: If edible use happens too close to the date of your surgery, the surgeon and anesthesiologist may stop taking a risk and delay the surgical procedure for safety, especially with signs of impairment.
• More difficult pain management afterward: People who use cannabis products regularly may report more pain after surgery and need more opioid or other pain relief for managing pain during recovery.
• Interaction with other medications: Cannabis use can affect how the body processes some anesthetic and pain medications, which can complicate dosing and monitoring prior to surgery.
• Clear communication protects safety: Tell your anesthesiologist and let your surgeon know about marijuana use, including edibles or consuming CBD containing products, so the surgical team can plan anesthesia and pain management safely.

Alternatives to Cannabis Edibles Before Surgery

Right before surgery, the body needs calm, steady signals. Since cannabis products can affect anesthesia and breathing, stepping back from edibles opens the door to safer ways to handle stress, sleep trouble, or chronic pain in the days leading up to a surgical procedure.

1. Simple relaxation routines that settle the nervous system

Try slow breathing, short guided meditation, or quiet stretching once or twice a day. These tools lower tension without THC in the bloodstream, so they do not lead to unpredictable effects with anesthesia drugs. They also avoid respiratory effects that can complicate airway control or a breathing tube on the day of surgery.

2. Light movement for pain relief and mood support

Gentle walks, easy mobility work, or surgeon approved stretching can reduce stiffness and support pain management. Movement helps many patients feel better without cannabis use that may increase the risk of higher doses of anesthesia or breathing problems during surgery. It also supports smoother surgery and recovery.

3. Sleep hygiene that replaces night time edibles

Build a wind down routine in the week before surgery. Dim lights early, limit screens late, and keep the room cool and quiet. This approach supports deeper rest without consuming edibles that can linger past 72 hours before surgery and affect sedation or heart rate and blood pressure.

4. Comfort strategies for localized soreness

Use warm showers, a heating pad, or a cold pack for short bursts if soreness flares. These options target discomfort without systemic cannabinoid effects, so they do not raise airway sensitivity or increase the risk of respiratory complications during surgery. Many patients find this steady, predictable support helpful in the day before surgery.

5. Food and hydration choices that keep the body steady

Balanced meals, steady hydration, and lighter evening snacks can support energy and mood. This matters because eating edibles close to the surgery date can change how the body responds to anesthetic and may lead to breathing problems. Simple nutrition keeps the system predictable for the anesthesiologist before surgery.

6. Emotional grounding and support

Talk with a trusted friend, journal, or line up calm distractions like movies or music. Stress can spike anxiety and chronic pain, and edibles can feel like the quick fix. Grounding tools help manage that build up without marijuana use that may affect anesthesia or increase the risk of complications during surgery.

Can I Eat Edibles After Surgery?

Wait at least 7 days after surgery before eating edibles, and only restart once opioid pain medication or other sedating drugs are no longer needed.

Many surgical teams prefer a more cautious window of about 2 weeks, since anesthesia and post op medications can interact with THC and lead to unpredictable sedation, breathing problems, or harder pain management.

Final Thoughts

Pausing edibles before surgery gives anesthesia a clearer path, keeps respiratory and airway risks lower, and makes pain management more predictable during recovery. Stick to the 72 hours before surgery rule, avoid cannabis products on the day of surgery, and restart only after the surgeon confirms the body is ready.

For extra guidance on timing edibles and other cannabis products around a surgical procedure, get a pre surgery cannabis checklist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do edibles affect anesthesia differently than smoking marijuana?

Yes. Eating edibles lasts longer and can lead to unpredictable effects during sedation, so the anesthesiologist may need a higher dose of anesthesia than expected.

What if edible use happens the day before surgery by mistake?

Tell your anesthesiologist and let your surgeon know right away. Recent cannabis use can increase the risk of complications during surgery, and the surgical team may need to adjust the plan.

Does regular marijuana use change surgery risks even after stopping edibles?

Yes. Regular marijuana use can raise tolerance to anesthetic and may lead to higher doses of anesthesia, plus added respiratory effects during a surgical procedure.

Can vaping or smoking weed in the week before surgery cause problems too?

Yes. Vaping and smoking weed can irritate the airway and increase the risk of breathing problems, especially when the surgical team needs to place a breathing tube.

Are CBD products safe to use before surgery?

CBD can still affect anesthesia drugs and heart rate and blood pressure in some people. Stop using marijuana products containing CBD unless the surgeon and anesthesiologist say otherwise.

Does cannabis consumption matter for cosmetic surgery?

Yes. Cosmetic surgery still involves anesthesia and airway control, so cannabis use can increase the risk of respiratory issues and dose adjustments.

How far ahead should chronic pain patients stop taking edibles?

Many patients with chronic pain need a longer buffer than 72 hours. The surgeon and anesthesiologist can set a timeline long before surgery based on cannabis use patterns.

Why does the surgical team need details about cannabis use?

Knowing the type of cannabis products, THC strength, and how often people use them helps the anesthesiologist plan safer sedation and pain management, reducing serious complications.