Every year, Americans undergo as many as 50 million major surgeries, according to an editorial in the International Journal of Surgery. If you’re joining their ranks soon, you may wonder what to expect. With a pre-surgery checklist, you can feel ready for your operation and recovery.
“While surgeons perform lots of surgeries every year, your experience is uniquely yours,” says Bailey Stewart Toulson, PA-C, physician assistant with Beaufort Memorial Surgical Specialists. “Understanding what to expect with your procedure gives you peace of mind and helps your surgery have its intended effect.”
What can you do in the days and weeks leading up to your surgery?
Upgrade Your Lifestyle
To feel your best when leaving the hospital, it helps to be in good health before going into the operating room. This may require lifestyle changes.
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In the weeks and months before surgery, add these steps to your pre-surgery checklist.
- Curb your alcohol intake. Drinking before surgery can lead to surgical complications. To reduce your risk, do not drink alcoholic beverages in the days leading to your surgery. Talk with your care team if you could benefit from addiction medicine support.
- Eat well. Before heading into the operating room, your body needs good fuel. Fill up on fruits, vegetables and other healthy choices that offer essential vitamins and minerals.
- Move your body. Exercise strengthens your body and helps you bounce back from surgery. If you have a hard time moving, talk with your surgeon about exercises you can do safely.
- Stop smoking. The American College of Surgeons reports that smoking increases your risk for surgical complications ranging from breathing problems to a heart attack. Try to stop at least a month before surgery, whether you smoke cigarettes or vape.
Talk With Your Surgery Team
“Every operation is different,” Toulson says. “To ensure you know exactly what to expect and steps you should take to be prepared, talk with your surgeon.”
By talking with your surgeon, you can create a pre-surgery checklist customized to your needs. A few topics to discuss include:
- Health considerations - Chronic conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes, affect how your body responds to surgery. Find out how you can reduce any risk your health history presents.
- Medications and supplements - Over-the-counter and prescription medications can interact with anesthesia or affect your body’s blood clotting abilities. Find out if you should stop taking any medication, supplement or vitamin and when you can resume your regimen.
- Pre-operative tests - Blood tests and imaging examinations are common before any surgery. Your surgeon may also have you undergo other tests to examine your lungs or heart or look for other health issues. The variety of tests you need depends on your surgery, health history, age and other factors.
- The procedure - Ask what will take place during your procedure, what to expect after surgery and any other questions you have.
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Prepare Yourself, Your Team and Your Home
In the days before surgery, there are a few things to get lined up. Include these tasks on your pre-surgery checklist.
- Arrange transportation. Whether your surgery is outpatient or requires a hospital stay, you’ll need someone to bring you to the hospital and drive you home afterward. Get this person lined up as soon as possible to reduce stress as you near your surgical date.
- Clean your house. When preparing for surgery, your home needs to be ready for your return. Get rid of clutter and place commonly used items where you can reach them without bending over or using stools or stairs.
- Pack your bags. You’ll need your insurance card, photo ID, glasses or contact lenses, hearing aids and a current list of medications. Bring them with you. Staying overnight? Add in toiletries, additional clothing, a phone charger, books and whatever else you need for a more comfortable stay. Leave computers, jewelry and makeup at home. Pack at least 24 hours before surgery and check your list twice to ensure you have everything needed.
- Solicit home help. After surgery, you may have limited mobility. This can complicate cooking, cleaning and other daily tasks. Recruit a family member or friend to stay with you to help manage these activities during recovery.
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Remember Your Pre-Surgery Checklist on the Big Day
When the day arrives for your operation, your pre-surgery checklist should include the following:
- Dress comfortably. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that you can remove easily.
- Wear hearing and seeing aids. If you use glasses or hearing aids, wear them to the hospital.
- Shower or bathe. The day of surgery, clean yourself well, but don’t shave — especially near the surgical site. Shaving can make it easier to develop an infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Finally, Toulson recommends you get to the hospital early, if possible.
“It’s important to be on time or early for your surgery,” she says. “This gives you time to park, make your way to the appropriate waiting area and fill out any final paperwork. It’s a little step, but it starts your day on the right foot.”
Learn more about surgical services offered at Beaufort Memorial or find a provider near you.
