A planned operation gives you something an emergency does not: time to prepare. Using that time well makes the day itself calmer and the recovery smoother.
Before the day
Your surgeon will order pre-operative tests — usually blood work, and sometimes an ECG or a chest X-ray depending on your age and health. Get them done early rather than the day before, so that anything unexpected can be dealt with without postponing the surgery.
Tell your doctor about every medicine you take, including ones bought without a prescription and any ayurvedic or herbal preparations. Blood thinners, diabetes medicines and some supplements may need to be stopped or adjusted, and only your doctor should decide that.
Questions worth asking
What exactly is being done, and why is it being recommended now? What happens if I wait? How long is the operation, and how long will I stay? What will recovery feel like in the first week? When can I go back to work, drive, or lift things? What will it cost, and what does that include?
A good surgical team will not be irritated by any of these. If you feel rushed, ask again.
The night before and the morning of
You will usually be asked not to eat for several hours before surgery, and to stop clear fluids a couple of hours before. Follow the timings you are given exactly — anaesthesia is safer on an empty stomach, and surgeries do get postponed over this.
Leave jewellery and valuables at home. Remove nail polish and contact lenses. Wear something loose and easy to change out of. Arrange for someone to be with you, both on the day and for the first night at home.
What to pack
Your reports and scans, a list of medicines, photo identity, insurance card if you have one, loose clothing, slippers, toiletries, a phone charger, and a little cash. Keep it to one small bag.
Ask before you leave the hospital: what should I watch out for, what number do I call at night, and when am I to come back? Take those answers home in writing.
This article is general health information, not medical advice, and it cannot account for your individual circumstances. Please speak to your doctor about your own care. Written by the clinical team at Manisha Maternity & Malhar Surgical Hospital.