How to Prepare for Surgery

Co-authored by Marc Kayem, MD

Last Updated: September 20, 2021 References Approved

Surgery can be a frightening process. However, whatever type of procedure you are having, it's important to prepare for it. Think about your needs before and after surgery. You need to know how you will get to and from your appointment, how to prepare your home, what hospital procedures are like, and what to expect during recovery. With proper planning, you will be ready for your surgery, all the way from admission to recuperation.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Discussing Your Surgery and Transportation Needs

1
Communicate your needs to your spouse or caregiver. Be sure to review all the steps that will be taking place before, during, and after the operation. Confirm the surgery date and time and make sure your schedules do not conflict.
- For example, if you're only in the hospital for the day, make sure your spouse, caregiver, or a responsible adult whom you trust will be around for 24 hours after you've had a general anesthetic.
- No surgery is fail-safe, so it's important to be prepared with legal documents that tell your spouse and family members what to do in case of incapacitation or death. Know the risks and prepare for the worst, but remember that most routine operations go off without a hitch.
2
Talk with your family and friends. Discuss the surgery with your family and friends to begin putting the necessary emotional and physical support group in place. Tell them how you are feeling and your emotional state of mind.
- For example, discuss whether or not you are hopeful about the predicted outcomes of the surgery. You can also talk about how the idea of being admitted is affecting you emotionally.
- Whatever your feelings are, often sharing those feelings with someone can help you minimize anxiety or frustration about your situation or future.
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3
Arrange for transportation. You will need a ride to and from the surgery, and to follow up appointments. Make arrangements with your partner or a friend who will be able to drive you to physical therapy, the doctor's office, the hospital, and to collect any medication. Be aware that if you're having day surgery, it is recommended that you do not take public transportation alone (except taxis) within 24 hours of a general anesthetic.^{[1]
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- If you have few options, there may be a retired citizen you know who can do this for you. However, be sure to offer to pay them a fair price for their time and effort.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Researching Your Type of Surgery

1
Discuss all the details of the surgery with your doctor. When preparing for surgery it's important to talk to your doctor about what to expect, including how to prepare, what the schedule for the day of the surgery is, how the surgery is completed, and what to expect during recovery. You can also talk to them about surgical success rates, common issues that can develop during this type of surgery, and what other treatment options you may have.^{[2]
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- You should have a pre-surgery meeting with your doctor to discuss the details of your surgery, your past medical history, current medical conditions, and any medications you are taking.
- Your surgeon may order some additional tests if needed, such as bloodwork, an EKG, or a psychiatric evaluation (especially if you are having bariatric surgery).
- You should also talk to your surgeon about their qualifications to do this type of surgery. Have they performed this type of surgery before? Are they licensed to do this type of medical care?
- Many people ask their surgeon most of these questions, but you can also talk to your primary care doctor or the nurses caring for you before the surgery about your procedure.
2
Find out if you are having inpatient or outpatient surgery. With outpatient surgery you will not stay in the hospital overnight. With inpatient surgery you will stay in the hospital 1 or more days. Knowing whether you will stay in the hospital will help you prepare for the surgery, as you will know when you will need help with transportation and recovery.^{[3]
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Trustworthy Source
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Professional association of OB/GYNs focused on education and public outreat initiatives
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- Anesthesia may be given for both outpatient and inpatient surgeries. Just because you will be put under does not mean that you will be kept overnight.
3
Research the procedure you are having done. Go on the web and research your procedure, including the sort of anesthetic or treatment you'll be having. Find out what is being said by the professionals and what, if any, are their recommendations for dealing with the recovery process. You could also look at what the short term effects of the surgery and anesthetic are.
- For example, it is common for a general anesthetic to cause a sore throat afterwards due to a plastic tube being placed down your throat to help you breathe while you are unconscious.
- Ask your surgeon for pre-operative educational materials and any special instructions you will need to follow before having surgery.
- Be sure to look at credible sources when researching your procedure. For instance, you can look at the websites of medical institutions and peer-reviewed journals for reliable information.
4
Talk to other patients if you're nervous. Speak to other surgical patients you may know and ask how they dealt with the preparations and recovery for their surgeries. You could also ask about the ward, hospital procedures, and how they felt afterwards. The more information you have on your procedure, the more empowered and prepared you may feel.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Preparing for Recovery

1
Get your home in order before the surgery. For example, do some cleaning, pay your bills, and run errands, such as buying groceries you may want during recovery. Remember, you may be incapacitated for some time, so do what you can before the surgery to minimize the demands on you during recovery.^{[4]
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- Having your home in some order before you go in for surgery will help eliminate some of the emotional stress you may experience during recovery and will make you better prepared to have a good physical recovery.
2
Gather and move supplies that will be helpful during recovery. Don't be hesitant to change how you organize things for a time. Daily use items, such as dishes, should be moved to a higher or lower level than normal if you're going to have difficulty leaning over to reach things. Also, think about buying equipment that could make your life easier. For instance, buying a tool to grab items that are located high or low may be key for your recovery.^{[5]
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- Sometimes after surgery, taking a shower has to be done very carefully. Place shampoo, soap, and other supplies at waist height before you go in for your surgery, so that you can reach them easily in the shower.
- Make sure to bring special items you may need while staying in the hospital, such as a CPAP machine and your regular medications.
3
Rearrange your furniture to make recovery easier. If you're having surgery that will affect your range of movement, mobility, or stability, make your home safe by removing obstacles or furniture that may block the entrance to the bathroom or kitchen. You also want to have a bed on the first floor, so that you don't have to climb stairs regularly.^{[6]
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- Also make sure you will have easy access from your bed to a bathroom or portable commode.
- You don't want wires or rugs lying around that may trip you and cause you to fall and further injure yourself.
4
Do personal grooming and pamper yourself before your surgery. Go to your favorite beauty salon and get a haircut, manicure, facial, or pedicure. Depending upon your type of surgery, you may not be able to do this for a few weeks after the operation, so getting it done beforehand will help you to feel like yourself as you recover.
- However, do not apply nail polish or fake nails to your toes or fingers, as this may interfere with the machine that monitors the oxygen in your blood and you'll only have to be asked to remove it or go home.
5
Learn ways to relax during recovery. Meditation, hypnosis, or just deep breathing exercises will allow your mind and your body to cope better with the surgery and heal faster. You should also find activities which calm you down and which you can do as you heal, for example listening to music, drawing, and knitting. It's your choice how you occupy your free time, but try to make sure it is relaxing.^{[7]
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- Often hospitals lack entertainment, so feel free to bring your own, which you think won't be obstructive to the nurses and other patients.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Following Your Doctor's Pre-Surgery Instructions

1
Pack an overnight bag, if you are having inpatient surgery. The hospital should give you some guidelines about what to bring. However, typically you will want to bring a change of clothes, reading materials, any medications you take regularly, and your cellphone and charger.^{[8]
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- You should also bring personal toiletry items, such as your toothbrush and a brush or comb.
- Bear ward restrictions in mind. For example, some day-wards do not recommend you bring your mobile phone or other electrical equipment, as the increased foot-traffic means there's a higher chance of them getting stolen.
2
Follow your doctor's pre-surgery eating instructions. In many cases, you will be asked to stop eating and drinking at a specific time before your surgery. For instance, if you are having surgery in the morning, you will be told to stop eating and drinking the night before. Be sure to follow these instructions so that you don't have to go to the bathroom during the surgery.^{[9]
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- In some cases you will also be asked to do an enema at home before the surgery. This ensures that the bowels are clear while you are being operated on.
3
Take any medications you have been told to take. For some procedures you will be told to take medication at a set time before the surgery. For instance, with some procedures you will be asked to take a laxative the day before the surgery. Whatever the medication, follow your doctor's instructions for how much and when to take it.^{[10]
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Trustworthy Source
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Professional association of OB/GYNs focused on education and public outreat initiatives
Go to source}
- If you take prescription medications regularly, talk to your doctor about whether and when you should take them before your operation.
4
Clean your body before the surgery. Consider taking a shower the night before going into hospital. Also avoid applying lotions, oils, or deodorant before the surgery, as they can interfere with the monitor pads stuck to you.^{[11]
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- You may also be asked to shave certain parts of your body before surgery but this depends on the type of surgery you are having.
5
Wear appropriate clothes to the appointment. It's a good idea to wear comfortable, loose clothes to your surgical appointment. While you will take your clothes off for the surgery, you will need to put them on after the surgery and having loose clothes will allow for any swelling or bandaging that occurs during the surgery.^{[12]
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- Also avoid wearing jewelry to your appointment, as valuables should be left at home and jewelry can restrict circulation if you experience swelling after your surgery.
- Make sure to bring an extra pair of socks to put on after the surgery.
6
Show up to your appointment on time and with proper identification. Getting to the hospital or surgical suite on time will help the whole process run smoothly. When you arrive, you will be asked for identification, so the surgical staff know they are operating on the right person, and you may also need to show your health insurance card, if you have insurance.^{[13]
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Trustworthy Source
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Professional association of OB/GYNs focused on education and public outreat initiatives
Go to source}
- Try to be well rested and prepared when you get to your appointment. This will help you deal with the stress of going through surgery.

Expert Q&A
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Question

Can you eat before a surgery?

Marc Kayem, MD
Surgeon
Dr. Marc Kayem is a board certified Otolaryngologist and Facial Plastic Surgeon based in Beverly Hills, California. He practices and specializes in cosmetic services and sleep-related disorders. He received his Doctorate in Medicine from the University of Ottawa, is board certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology, and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada.

Marc Kayem, MD

Surgeon

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

If you're getting a general anesthetic, you cannot eat after midnight on the night before your surgery. You can typically eat before a minor procedure if you are only getting a local anesthetic, but it's best to talk to the surgeon or doctor about what you can eat 2-3 weeks before the surgery.
Question

What should I do to prepare for surgery?

Marc Kayem, MD
Surgeon
Dr. Marc Kayem is a board certified Otolaryngologist and Facial Plastic Surgeon based in Beverly Hills, California. He practices and specializes in cosmetic services and sleep-related disorders. He received his Doctorate in Medicine from the University of Ottawa, is board certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology, and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada.

Marc Kayem, MD

Surgeon

Expert Answer

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That really depends on what surgery you're having. However, for most surgeries, you should stop taking blood thinners, aspirin, vitamin E, fish oil, or any homeopathic medications at least 2 weeks before surgery. Even if you only take one baby aspirin 2 weeks before your surgery, you'll still probably bleed more than someone who didn't take one.
Question

What is the best thing to eat before surgery?

Marc Kayem, MD
Surgeon
Dr. Marc Kayem is a board certified Otolaryngologist and Facial Plastic Surgeon based in Beverly Hills, California. He practices and specializes in cosmetic services and sleep-related disorders. He received his Doctorate in Medicine from the University of Ottawa, is board certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology, and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada.

Marc Kayem, MD

Surgeon

Expert Answer

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If you're going under general anesthetic, you can't eat after midnight the night before. However, it won't hurt the procedure at all if you eat a big meal earlier that evening, especially if it's high-protein, low-fat, and low-carb.