How to Prepare for Surgery at Every Stage - Preparing for your surgery in advance is one of the best things you can do to improve your outcomes. Whatever stage you are at in your pre-operative preparations, here at Hoopcare we've consolidated of list of important things to keep in mind to do before your procedure!
How to prepare for surgery?
Preparing months before your surgery
Whether your surgery is cosmetic or medically necessary, months before your surgery you should start to increase healthy habits and decrease or totally stop unhealthy habits. Your doctor will likely recommend specifics to you, but this typically involves the following:
- Quit smoking
- Reduce or quit drinking alcohol
- Have a healthy diet comprised of lots of vegetables, fruits, nuts and legumes
- Reduce consumption of unhealthy, processed foods like chips, candies, and low-fiber pre-cooked meals
- Get a good amount of exercise (at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week) unless your doctor explicitly recommends not to
- Sleep well and often
- Ask your doctor to explain the risks and benefits of your upcoming surgery. Make sure to understand all your options fully.
- Contact your insurance company to make sure the procedure is covered, and figure out how much it will cost if it's not covered.
Preparing weeks before your surgery
Weeks before your surgery, you'll want to determine more specifics about your upcoming surgery, and make sure that you maintain the healthy habits you have started.
- Discuss with family and friends the plan for after surgery, in terms of who will pick you up from the hospital and how much care you'll need.
- Make sure your work is informed of your need for time off, if applicable. If you need to, get a signed letter from your physician to give to your employer.
- Make sure your surgeon, anesthesiologist, and medical team are aware of any and all allergies you might have.
- Ask your doctor any and all questions you have about the surgery!
- Make sure your medical team is aware of any medications you take, and be ready to stop taking them temporarily if your surgeon thinks you need to.
- Get relevant blood tests and lab work done. Your doctor will tell you what is needed, but it can include your blood sugar levels, your iron levels and so on.
- Purchase any supplies you need for after your surgery (this may include things from bandages to a brace, and your insurance may cover it so ask them!)
Preparing days before your surgery
Several days before your surgery, it is important to maintain a stable, healthy routine that you can sustain until your surgery date.
- Don't wear get a fresh set of nail polish (no nail polish during your procedure)
- Don't get a new tattoo or body modification
- Your doctor may ask you to stop eating/drinking the night before your surgery, make sure to follow this if they do.
- Relax your mind with things like meditation, light walking/jogging, funny TV and so on.
- Arrange your post-surgery transportation
Preparing the day of your surgery
The big day is here! The day of your surgery is the "homestretch" and there are only a few important things to consider before you head over to your surgery.
- Don't wear any makeup, nail-polish or eye contacts to your procedure
- Wear loose-fitting clothes that you can easily remove if needed
- Feel free to talk to your surgeon and discuss any new concerns or worries you may have, she/he will do their best to alleviate your fears
- Leave your valuables at home
- Bring an acceptable form of ID.
- Relax, you got this!
