Pre-surgery preparation: practical checklist and tips

Facing surgery is stressful. Small, practical steps before your operation cut anxiety, reduce complications, and speed recovery. This guide gives a clear checklist you can use in the days before surgery, what to pack, and questions to ask your care team.

Medical prep: tests, meds, and clearances

Confirm any pre-op tests (blood work, ECG, imaging) and bring results or lab orders to the hospital. Call your surgeon or anesthetist if you don’t understand a test result. Ask if you need a clearance from your primary doctor, cardiologist, or dentist.

Medications matter. Make a list of every drug, dose, and how you take it, including vitamins and herbal supplements. Ask your surgeon which meds to stop and when—this is crucial for blood thinners (warfarin, clopidogrel), NSAIDs, and some herbal remedies. Do not stop prescription drugs without direct medical advice.

If you use inhalers, insulin, or heart meds, get explicit instructions for the morning of surgery. For diabetes, many teams give a plan to avoid low blood sugar during fasting. Write those instructions down and keep them accessible.

Day-to-day prep: home, transport, and paperwork

Arrange a ride home and someone to stay with you for the first 24–48 hours after outpatient procedures. Hospitals rarely release you alone after sedation. Confirm who will handle pets, childcare, and work notifications.

Pack a small bag: ID, insurance cards, list of meds, current prescriptions, a few changes of loose clothing, phone charger, slip-on shoes, and any CPAP gear if you use one. Leave jewelry and valuables at home.

Prepare your home for recovery: clear walking paths, set toiletries and medications within reach, stock easy meals and frozen options, and place a water bottle where you’ll rest. If mobility will be limited, borrow or buy simple aids—grabber tool, nightlight, extra pillows.

Follow fasting rules exactly. Most surgeries require no food after midnight or a specific fasting window for solids and liquids. Drinking small sips of water is sometimes allowed; check with your team. Eating when you shouldn’t can delay or cancel surgery.

Shower with soap the night before and the morning of surgery if allowed. Some hospitals recommend antibacterial soap for certain procedures. Wear loose, comfortable clothes and avoid makeup, nail polish, and strong perfumes.

Make a short list of questions for your surgeon and anesthetist: expected pain level and control, likely recovery timeline, signs of complications, and emergency contact. Ask who will call you with pathology or test results after surgery.

Finally, manage stress with small steps: sleep, short walks, breathing exercises, or talking with a friend. Clear communication with your medical team and a simple plan at home go a long way toward a smoother surgery and recovery.