Do you have an upcoming surgery? Perhaps you’re booked in for a routine procedure, such as a gastroscopy or colonoscopy. Or maybe you’ve injured yourself, with something like a torn ACL, or you need a hip reconstruction. You might have cosmetic surgery scheduled, like a tummy tuck or boob implants.
Whatever your case may be, it can be a nerve-wracking time. That’s why proper preparation makes perfect in order for your surgery to be a complete success. This article will share a checklist for the weeks and days leading up to your procedure to help you get yourself ready. It should dispel some fears and ensure that you’re prepped, punctual and ready for the big day.
Focus and Prepare Your Mind
Preparing for surgery can make even usually calm-headed folks anxious, as there are many factors to consider and possible outcomes based on the risk profile of your particular procedure. All surgeries have a chance of things going wrong, and the more complicated ones can also carry other significant risks. Thinking about this and leaving your concerns unchecked can lead your mind to race and cause you stress.
If you’re feeling nervous, anxious or overwhelmed, understand that it’s perfectly normal and acceptable to feel that way. The key is to focus and prepare your mind in the weeks leading up to the big day.
You may want to perform some self-care activities leading to the surgery to keep a positive and hopeful attitude. For instance, you may enjoy a hobby or activity that you can engage in to try to calm your mind and relax. You might enjoy board or card games, puzzles, painting, sketching or drawing. Going for a walk and taking part in physical self-care such as a spa treatment or massage are also great ways to unwind. Whatever you choose, try to engage in an enjoyable activity that will bring you some stress relief, comfort and joy during this stressful time. Try to remind yourself that your care team is made up of professionals who do procedures like this regularly — they know what they’re doing.
Read About Your Procedure
Another item on your checklist should be reading up about the procedure leading up to the big day. Knowledge is power, as the saying goes, and learning more about what you will undergo can help you feel prepared and ready for the event. Your doctor should be able to provide some resources, provided you ask them, but Google can also help as a useful tool. Just remember that Google and websites are not medical professionals and do not replace proper medical advice, so try not to diagnose yourself with anything, freak out about what you read, or focus too much on the risks or potential adverse outcomes it might present you.
Stay Hydrated
It’s always a good practice to stay hydrated; an adult person should drink anywhere from 1.5-2 litres of water a day, regardless of their health status. However, the weeks leading up to surgery are not a time to neglect your fluid intake. Stay properly hydrated to ensure you feel your best for your procedure. If you’re someone who thinks plain water is boring to drink, some alternatives include mineral water, sparkling flavoured water, green tea or water with a sugar-free cordial — although plain water really is always best. Avoid super sweet soft drinks with high sugar content, such as Coke, lemonade or ginger beer. Alcohol is also best enjoyed in moderation or not at all — but this will depend on your pre-surgery information sheet and directions given by the surgeon. It’s important to keep in mind that excess sugar and alcohol can actually dehydrate you.
Follow Your Surgeon’s Instructions
During the week or few days leading up to your procedure, you must ensure that you follow your doctor’s instructions to the letter. There is no room for negotiation or “close enough” here; you have to do this. Failure to follow these instructions could result in a catastrophic event during your surgery. This is because anaesthetics are complex medications that require specific things from the patient before the day of the surgery, such as fasting. Ensure you don’t eat or drink anything from the point that the doctor tells you — this is usually the night before, but can depend on the time your surgery is scheduled for. You may be allowed a sip of water to take medications in the morning or night, but anything else is typically off the table — no excuses.
Other instructions may need to be followed during the days before your surgery, such as following a specific diet if you’re having a procedure like a colonoscopy that requires bowel prep.
Quit Nicotine
If you smoke or vape with nicotine-containing liquid, you’ll want to quit this before the surgery. Quitting will assist the recovery process and ensure you’re in great condition before your procedure. Nicotine interferes with anaesthetics and can cause severe complications. You’ll be doing yourself a solid by quitting leading up to the surgery. You might even consider quitting outright after the big day. Check in with your surgeon about how far in advance you should be making the change.
Your pre-surgery checklist will vary greatly depending on the procedure you’re having, but these tips should cover some of the basics that can be applied across the board. It’s imperative that you also discuss your preparation with your doctors to ensure you’re prepared for the big day.