Surgery: Practical Pre-Op, Medication & Recovery Tips

Surgery isn't just the time on the table. What you do before and after matters more than most people think. This page gives clear, usable advice on preparing for surgery, handling medicines (especially blood thinners), preventing infection, and recovering faster with less hassle.

Before your operation, make a short checklist: know which meds you must stop, arrange a ride home, and plan for wound care and follow-up. Tell your surgeon about all prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, and supplements. Even herbal products can change bleeding risk or interfere with anesthesia.

Managing blood thinners and clot risk

If you take warfarin (Coumadin), clopidogrel (Plavix), or other anticoagulants, you need a clear plan. Ask who should pause the drug, for how long, and whether you need a bridging shot like low-molecular-weight heparin. For warfarin, your team will often want a recent INR test within a few days before surgery. If you have a stent or vascular device, talk to your cardiologist about clot risk—stent clots can be dangerous and sometimes change the plan.

Never stop anticoagulants without direct guidance from your clinicians. If you’re unsure where to buy meds or need a refill, use a verified pharmacy and keep written confirmation of prescriptions and dosing. Articles on our site like "Coumadin: What You Must Know" and "Plavix: The Straight Facts" explain common scenarios and questions patients ask.

Preventing infection, controlling pain, and caring for wounds

Simple habits lower infection risk: wash hands, follow your surgeon's showering rules, and keep the wound dry until told otherwise. Look for early signs of infection—redness that spreads, increasing pain, fever, or foul drainage—and call your team right away. When antibiotics are prescribed, finish the full course unless told otherwise. If you have allergies to common drugs (for example, sulfa), ask about alternatives; our guide on non-sulfonamide antibiotics lists safe options for many infections.

Pain management should balance comfort and safety. Use scheduled acetaminophen or prescribed pain meds first, and add ice, elevation, and movement as recommended. Avoid starting new blood-thinning supplements or NSAIDs without checking, since they raise bleeding risk. Work with your doctor on a taper plan if stronger pain medicine is used after discharge.

Getting moving helps recovery. Follow physiotherapy exercises, start walking as advised, and use simple injury-prevention tips—proper warm-up, gradual increase in activity, and ankle or joint support if recommended. Our pieces on preventing sprains and muscle injuries offer practical steps many patients find useful after surgery.

Finally, know when to call: uncontrolled bleeding, fever over 101°F (38.3°C), severe swelling in a limb, sudden shortness of breath, or pain that gets worse despite meds. Keep emergency contacts and your surgeon's office number handy. Small problems handled early avoid big complications later.

If you want deeper reading, check linked posts on anticoagulants, stent clots, and safe online pharmacies. Use reliable sources, follow your care team's instructions, and ask questions—clear communication makes recovery smoother and safer.