Preparing for Surgery

Learn what questions to ask in advance, what to do at home, and more so you surgery can be as safe and successful as possible.
Knowing what to expect and how best to prepare for a surgery can not only help keep you safe and improve outcomes, but help you approach your procedure with more confidence.
An operating nurse soothing a patient in the operating room
How to Choose a Hospital or Surgery Center
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
Steps involved in gastric sleeve procedure
Gastric Sleeve Surgery: Overview
Medically reviewed by Jennifer Schwartz, MD
Nurse getting ready to insert butterfly needle into patient's arm
Butterfly Needles: Pros and Cons for Blood Draws and IVs
Medically reviewed by Michael Menna, DO
fever, temperature, thermometer
Should You Take the Flu Shot Before Surgery?
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
Surgeon tying his mask
6 Tips for Choosing a Great Surgeon
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
Surgeon talking to patient before surgery
10 Things to Tell Your Surgeon Before Surgery
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
Hispanic female doctor smiling at patient being wheeled into operating room
How to Get a Second Opinion on Surgery
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
Close up of surgical tools and money
How to Pay for Surgery Costs Without Insurance
Fact checked by Sheeren Jegtvig
Anesthetist in an operating room
Understanding Surgical Risks
Medically reviewed by Michael Menna, DO
Dentist's chair
How to Prepare for Oral Surgery
Medically reviewed by Sumaya Ibraheem, DDS
Row of test tube with blood samples
Liver Function Tests: Uses, Side Effects, Procedure, Results
Medically reviewed by Rochelle Collins, DO
liver graphic
Assessing Surgical Risk in Those With Liver Disease
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
Surgeon operating patient on table at hospital
Best Waiting Time Between Surgeries
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
Woman with cramps
Treating Adenomyosis With Hysterectomy Surgery
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
Surgeon talking to patient before surgery
When Can a Patient Decide to Say No to Surgery?
Fact checked by James Lacy
Urethrotomy
Urethrotomy: Uses, Side Effects, Procedure, and Results
Medically reviewed by Matthew Wosnitzer, MD
Scientist examining test tubes in lab
What Do Your PT, PTT, and INR Results Mean?
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
Nurse getting blood from on a female donor
How to Improve Your Blood Lab Draw
Medically reviewed by Chris Vincent, MD
Patient with a respiratory mask on operating table
Why You Can't Eat or Drink Before Surgery
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
A doctor holding six blood tests
Blood Thinners Before, During and After Surgery
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
Surgeon and team position patient under xray machine
Why You Remove Piercings and Jewelry Before Surgery
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
Vials in lab
Chem 7 Blood Chemistry Tests: Basic Metabolic Panel
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
Anesthetist adjusting intravenous drip during open heart operating
Versed (Midazolam) For Sedation and Surgery
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
Anesthetist administering gas to patient
Types of Anesthesia Used During Surgery
Medically reviewed by Jenny A. Dhingra, MD
female doctor taking blood sample
What Your CBC Blood Test Results Say About Your Health
Medically reviewed by Jason DelCollo, DO
Surgeons performing surgery in operating room
Ways to Improve Your Surgery and Recovery
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
man staying in hospital
How to Pack for a Comfortable Hospital Stay
Fact checked by Elaine Hinzey, RD
a surgeon putting on gloves
What to Do If You Need to Have Surgery While Traveling
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
Doctor attending patient at ICU
How Quitting Smoking Can Benefit Surgery Patients
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
woman getting sick on toilet
What to Do If You Get Sick Before Your Surgery
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
anesthesia
Marijuana, Surgery, and Anesthesia
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
Scalpel on surgical cloth, close-up
How to Decide If You Need Surgery
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
a person facing away from camera and holding a model of a kidney
Get Info on the Multiple Causes of Kidney Failure
Medically reviewed by Michael Menna, DO
Female nurse giving pill to patient on hospital bed
Common Medications Before, During, and After Surgery
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
Man talking to his doctor
How To Do a Bowel Prep for Colonoscopy or Surgery
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
Urinary catheter bag
Urinary Catheters Explained
Medically reviewed by Michael Menna, DO
Surgical instruments
10 Common Questions Before Surgery
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
Vial of blood being picked up by a gloved hand
Understanding Common Blood Tests and What They Mean
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
woman going under Anesthesia
When Anesthesia Awareness Occurs
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
Blood Sample Tube in Hand
Transfusions of Packed Red Blood Cells (PRBCs)
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
Administering drugs through a central line.
Why a Central Line Is Necessary and Associated Risks
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
A scientist viewing a blood sample under a microscope
Blood Work Tests Before Surgery
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
Blood test vials
Common Blood and Imaging Tests Before and After Surgery
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
patient talking to doctor
Important Questions to Ask Before You Have Surgery
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
Depression and Surgery Image
Understanding and Dealing With a Fear of Surgery
Medically reviewed by Carly Snyder, MD
patient resting after surgery with doctor writing on a chart
How to Prepare for Your Surgery
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
man calculating bill
Why Heart Surgery and Other Types of Surgery Cost So Much
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
Anesthesia and Surgery Image
Vecuronium Norcuron (Anesthesia Drug)
Medically reviewed by Violetta Shamilova, PharmD
Operating nurse soothing patient on table in operating room
How Diprivan Is Used During Surgery
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
Surgeon consulting a patient, holding hands, getting ready for surgery
Gallbladder Surgery: What to Expect on the Day of Surgery
By Sherry Christiansen
explaining the operation
Hernia Surgery: How To Prepare
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
Pensive adult black patient looking away to the window while lying down on hospital bed
Hysterectomy: What to Expect on the Day of Surgery
Medically reviewed by Jessica Shepherd, MD
how to prepare for a mastectomy
Mastectomy: How to Prepare
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Cataract surgery - stock photo
Cataract Surgery: How To Prepare
Medically reviewed by Johnstone M. Kim, MD
Preparing patient for laser eye surgery - stock photo
Cataract Surgery: What to Expect on the Day of Surgery
Medically reviewed by Johnstone M. Kim, MD
Nurse comforting senior female patient
Mastectomy: What to Expect on the Day of Surgery
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Meshes For Hernia - stock photo
Hernia Surgery: What to Expect on the Day of Surgery
By Mark Gurarie
Three Surgeons in Scrubs and Protective Masks Look Down at a Patient on a Hospital Trolley
Vaginoplasty: How to Prepare
By Colleen Doherty, MD