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
What to Look for in a Hospital When Planning to Have Surgery
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
Steps involved in gastric sleeve procedure
What You Should Know About Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Medically reviewed by Jennifer Schwartz, MD
Nurse getting ready to insert butterfly needle into patient's arm
Using Butterfly Needles for Blood Draws and IVs
Medically reviewed by Michael Menna, DO
fever, temperature, thermometer
What Flu Shot Should You Get If You Are Going to Have Surgery?
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
Surgeon tying his mask
Tips for Choosing a Great Surgeon
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
Surgeon talking to patient before surgery
10 Things You Should Tell Your Surgeon Before You Have 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
Paying for Surgery Costs That Insurance Won't Pay
Fact checked by Sheeren Jegtvig
Anesthetist in an operating room
For Patients: Understanding the Risks of Having Surgery
Medically reviewed by Michael Menna, DO
Dentist's chair
How to Prepare for Oral Surgery and Avoid Complications
Medically reviewed by Sumaya Ibraheem, DDS
Row of test tube with blood samples
What to Expect During Liver Function Tests
Medically reviewed by Rochelle Collins, DO
liver graphic
If You Have Liver Disease, Should You Have Surgery?
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
Surgeon operating patient on table at hospital
How Long You Should Wait Between Surgeries
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
Woman with cramps
When Hysterectomy May Be Your Only Option for Adenomyosis
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
Surgeon talking to patient before surgery
How and When to Say No to Surgery
Fact checked by James Lacy
Urethrotomy
What Is a Urethrotomy and Why Is It Important?
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 Make Blood Draws Easier
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
Making Sense of Blood Thinners For Surgery Patients
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
Surgeon and team position patient under xray machine
Why You Must Remove Jewelry and Piercings 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
Surgery and Versed (Midazolam)
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
Anesthetist administering gas to patient
Types of Anesthesia Used During Surgery
Medically reviewed by Jenny A. Dhingra, MD
Automated blood sample testing in laboratory for healthcare screening.
What You Should Know About Your CBC Lab Results
Medically reviewed by Jason DelCollo, DO
Surgeons performing surgery in operating room
Getting Ready for Surgery the Right Way
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
man staying in hospital
How to Pack for a Comfortable Hospital Stay
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
a surgeon putting on gloves
Dealing With an Unplanned or Emergency Surgery While Traveling
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
Doctor attending patient at ICU
Quitting Smoking Can Improve Surgical Outcome
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
woman getting sick on toilet
What Do I Do If I'm Sick and I'm Supposed to Have Surgery?
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
anesthesia
Pot Smoking: How Marijuana Can Affect Your Surgery
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
Understanding the Multiple Causes of Kidney Failure
Medically reviewed by Michael Menna, DO
Female nurse giving pill to patient on hospital bed
These Are the Commonly Used Medications Before and After Surgery
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
Man talking to his doctor
Bowel Prep Made Easy: Step-by-Step Instructions
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
Urinary catheter bag
How Catheters Are Used After Surgery
Medically reviewed by Michael Menna, DO
Surgical instruments
Help! I'm Having Surgery and I'm Freaking Out!
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
Anesthesia Awareness Is a Rare Complication of Surgery
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
Blood Sample Tube in Hand
Why Packed Red Blood Cells Are Used in Transfusions
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
Administering drugs through a central line.
Risks Associated With the Placement and Use of Central Lines
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 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
How to Relieve Your Fear When You Are Scared of Surgery
Medically reviewed by Carly Snyder, MD
patient resting after surgery with doctor writing on a chart
12 Smart Tips to Help You Prepare for Surgery and Stay Healthy
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
man calculating bill
The Reasons Why Surgery Costs So Much
Medically reviewed by Scott Sundick, MD
Anesthesia and Surgery Image
Curious About Vecuronium?
Medically reviewed by Violetta Shamilova, PharmD
Operating nurse soothing patient on table in operating room
Discover Why and 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
Medically reviewed by Priyanka Chugh, MD
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
What to Expect on the Day of Your Hysterectomy 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 During 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
Medically reviewed by Jennifer Schwartz, MD
Three Surgeons in Scrubs and Protective Masks Look Down at a Patient on a Hospital Trolley
How to Prepare for Vaginoplasty
Medically reviewed by Lauren Schlanger, MD