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 Older Adult Recovering From Surgery, smiling and reading a card in a hospital bed
Elderly Patients: Understanding the Risks of Surgery
An operating nurse soothing a patient in the operating room
How to Choose a Hospital or Surgery Center
Nurse getting ready to insert butterfly needle into patient's arm
What Are Butterfly Needles?
fever, temperature, thermometer
Should You Take the Flu Shot Before Surgery?
Surgeon tying his mask
Tips for Choosing a Great Surgeon
Surgeon talking to patient before surgery
10 Things to Tell Your Surgeon Before Surgery
Hispanic female doctor smiling at patient being wheeled into operating room
How to Get a Second Opinion on Surgery
Close up of surgical tools and money
How to Pay For Surgery Costs That Insurance Won't Pay
Anesthetist in an operating room
Understanding the Risks Involved When Having Surgery
Dentist performing oral surgery
Gum Surgery: Everything You Need to Know
Surgeon operating patient on table at hospital
Best Waiting Time Between Surgeries
Woman with cramps
Adenomyosis and Hysterectomy
Surgeon talking to patient before surgery
The Right to Refuse Surgery
Urethrotomy
What Is a Urethrotomy?
Scientist examining test tubes in lab
What Do Your PT, PTT, and INR Results Mean?
Nurse getting blood from on a female donor
7 Tips for Making a Blood Draw Easier
Patient with a respiratory mask on operating table
Why You Can't Eat or Drink Before Surgery
A doctor holding six blood tests
Taking Blood Thinners Before, During, and After Surgery
Surgeon and team position patient under xray machine
Why You Remove Piercings and Jewelry Before Surgery
Vials in lab
Chem 7 Panel: Blood Chemistry Test
Anesthetist administering gas to patient
Types of Anesthesia Used During Surgery
Automated blood sample testing in laboratory for healthcare screening.
What Your CBC Blood Test Results Say About Your Health
Surgeons performing surgery in operating room
Ways to Improve Your Surgery and Recovery
man staying in hospital
What to Pack for the Hospital
a surgeon putting on gloves
What to Do If You Need to Have Surgery While Traveling
Doctor attending patient at ICU
The Benefits of Quitting Smoking Prior to Surgery
woman getting sick on toilet
What to Do if You Get Sick Before Your Surgery
anesthesia
How Marijuana Can Affect Your Surgery
Scalpel on surgical cloth, close-up
How to Decide If You Need Surgery
a person facing away from camera and holding a model of a kidney
The Causes of Kidney Failure
Nurse giving pill to a patient in hospital bed.
Common Medications Before, During, and After Surgery
Man talking to his doctor
How to Do a Bowel Prep for Colonoscopy or Surgery
Urinary catheter bag
Urinary Catheters Explained
Vial of blood being picked up by a gloved hand
Understanding Common Blood Tests and What They Mean
woman going under Anesthesia
Why Does Anesthesia Awareness Occur?
Blood Sample Tube in Hand
Packed Red Blood Cell (PRBC) Transfusion
Administering drugs through a central line.
Why a Central Line Is Necessary and Associated Risks
A scientist viewing a blood sample under a microscope
Blood Work Tests You Can Expect Before Surgery
Blood test vials
Common Tests Before and After Surgery
patient talking to doctor
Important Questions to Ask Before You Have Surgery
Depression and Surgery Image
Understanding and Dealing With a Fear of Surgery
patient resting after surgery with doctor writing on a chart
How to Prepare for Your Surgery
man calculating bill
The Reasons Why Surgery Costs So Much
Anesthesia and Surgery Image
Vecuronium in Detail
Operating nurse soothing patient on table in operating room
How Diprivan Is Used During Surgery
Surgeon consulting a patient, holding hands, getting ready for surgery
Gallbladder Surgery: What to Expect on the Day of Surgery
explaining the operation
Hernia Surgery: How To Prepare
Pensive adult black patient looking away to the window while lying down on hospital bed
Hysterectomy: What to Expect on the Day of Surgery
how to prepare for a mastectomy
Mastectomy: How to Prepare
Cataract surgery - stock photo
Cataract Surgery: How To Prepare
Preparing patient for laser eye surgery - stock photo
Cataract Surgery: What to Expect on the Day of Surgery
Nurse comforting senior female patient
Mastectomy: What to Expect on the Day of Surgery
Meshes For Hernia - stock photo
Hernia Surgery: What to Expect on the Day of Surgery
Three Surgeons in Scrubs and Protective Masks Look Down at a Patient on a Hospital Trolley
Vaginoplasty: How to Prepare
Cardiac ablation surgery about to begin
Ablation Surgery: How to Prepare
Preparing for ACL surgery, doctor checks patient's knee
ACL Surgery: How to Prepare
Surgical nurse wheeling patient to surgery in hospital
Knee Arthroscopy: How to Prepare
Woman doing lunges on park bench
Brazilian Butt Lift: How to Prepare
Brain imaging is necessary before brain aneurysm surgery
Brain Aneurysm Surgery: How to Prepare
Taking laxatives with clear liquids for bowel prep for surgery
Colorectal Surgery: How to Prepare