In this article
Surgery, even a routine one, is easier and safer when you are well prepared. Patients who understand what to do before the operation and how to look after themselves afterwards generally have fewer complications, less pain and a faster return to normal life. Most problems that arise after surgery, such as infection, blood clots, chest complications or wound breakdown, are influenced by what happens in the days before and after, not only by what happens in the operating theatre.
This guide gives a practical checklist for patients and families: what to do in the weeks before surgery, on the day before and morning of the operation, during the hospital stay, and during recovery at home, along with warning signs and questions to ask your surgeon.
Part One: Before Surgery
As Soon as Surgery Is Planned
- 1Understand your operation. Ask your surgeon why the surgery is recommended, what alternatives exist, what the benefits and risks are, and what recovery will involve.
- 2Discuss costs and insurance. Ask for an estimate, find out what is included, and contact the insurance desk early for pre-authorisation if your policy covers cashless treatment.
- 3Plan time off work and arrange help at home, transport and care for children or dependents.
- 4Share your complete medical history, including diabetes, high blood pressure, heart or lung disease, kidney problems, allergies, previous surgeries and anaesthetic reactions.
- 5List every medicine you take, including supplements, herbal products and over-the-counter drugs. Some medicines affect bleeding or anaesthesia.
- 6Get the required tests. These usually include blood tests, urine tests, ECG, chest X-ray and, depending on the surgery, echocardiography, scans or lung function tests.
- 7See the anaesthetist for a pre-anaesthetic check-up, where they assess your fitness and discuss anaesthesia options.
Optimise Your Health in the Weeks Before
- Stop smoking and avoid tobacco in any form. Even a few weeks without smoking improves wound healing and lowers chest complications. Avoid alcohol for at least 24 to 48 hours, preferably longer.
- Control chronic conditions. Blood sugar, blood pressure and thyroid levels should be well managed. Poorly controlled diabetes increases infection risk.
- Eat a balanced diet with enough protein, vitamins and fluids to support healing. If you are underweight or anaemic, ask for advice and treatment before surgery.
- Stay active. Walk daily and do breathing exercises, which help lung function and recovery.
- Treat infections. Tell your surgeon about any cold, skin infection, tooth infection or urinary symptoms, as surgery may need to be postponed.
- Review medicines. Your doctor will tell you which medicines to continue and which to stop. Blood thinners such as aspirin, clopidogrel and warfarin, certain diabetes medicines and some herbal supplements often need adjustment. Never stop essential medicines without medical advice.
- Practise recovery skills. Learn deep breathing, leg exercises and how to get in and out of bed safely if your surgeon recommends it.
The Week Before
- Confirm the date, time and place of admission.
- Prepare your home: stock easy-to-cook food, clear walkways, arrange a comfortable resting area and keep essentials within reach.
- Arrange a responsible adult to accompany you and stay with you for the first 24 to 48 hours.
- Ask whether you need to bathe with an antiseptic wash and whether hair removal is needed. Do not shave the area yourself, since small cuts can raise infection risk.
- Remove nail polish, jewellery and contact lenses before admission.
The Day Before
- Follow fasting instructions carefully. Usually no solid food for six to eight hours before anaesthesia and clear fluids until two hours before, but follow your hospital's specific instructions. Eating when you should be fasting can lead to cancellation of surgery or dangerous complications such as inhaling stomach contents.
- Take only the medicines you have been told to take, with a sip of water.
- Have a light, early dinner and drink fluids as allowed.
- Sleep well and keep calm. Ask any last questions.
- Pack your bag.
What to Pack
- Photo ID, insurance card and hospital documents.
- Previous reports, scans and prescriptions.
- A list of medicines and allergies.
- Loose, comfortable clothes and non-slip footwear.
- Toiletries, glasses, hearing aids and dentures, which you will need to remove before surgery.
- A phone and charger, with limited valuables left at home.
- Any aids such as a walking stick, brace or support, if advised.
Part Two: The Day of Surgery
- 1Arrive at the hospital on time with your companion, and complete admission formalities.
- 2Change into a hospital gown and remove jewellery, dentures and metal items.
- 3A nurse will check your pulse, blood pressure, temperature and consent forms.
- 4Confirm your name, the operation and the site, which the team will check repeatedly for safety.
- 5You will be taken to the operating theatre, where the anaesthetist will start the anaesthetic and monitor you throughout.
- 6After surgery, you will wake in the recovery room, where staff watch your breathing, pulse, pain and nausea until you are stable enough to return to your room.
Part Three: In the Hospital After Surgery
- Pain control: tell the nurses if your pain is not controlled. Pain relief helps you breathe deeply and move, which speeds recovery.
- Move early. Walking, even a few steps, as soon as your doctor allows, reduces blood clots, chest infections and constipation.
- Breathing exercises: take deep breaths and cough gently while supporting the wound with a pillow every hour while awake.
- Leg exercises: flex and rotate your ankles to improve circulation, and wear compression stockings if advised.
- Eating and drinking: start with sips and light food as instructed, then gradually return to normal.
- Drains, tubes and dressings: do not pull on them. Ask staff to explain their purpose and when they will be removed.
- Hand hygiene: ask visitors to wash their hands and limit visitors to protect against infection.
- Ask questions about your medicines, dressing, activity restrictions and follow-up before discharge.
Part Four: Recovery at Home
Wound Care
- Keep the dressing clean and dry, and follow instructions about when you can shower.
- Do not apply creams, powders or home remedies unless advised.
- Do not scratch or pick at the wound or stitches.
- Wash your hands before and after touching the wound.
Medicines
- Take painkillers, antibiotics and other medicines exactly as prescribed, and finish the course.
- Restart or stop your regular medicines only as instructed.
- Avoid driving or making important decisions while taking strong painkillers.
- Use stool softeners if advised, since pain medicines and reduced activity can cause constipation, and straining stresses the wound.
Diet and Fluids
- Eat small, frequent, protein-rich meals with fruits, vegetables and fibre to help healing.
- Drink plenty of water unless you are on a fluid restriction.
- Avoid alcohol and smoking during recovery.
- Follow procedure-specific diet instructions, for example soft foods after some abdominal surgeries.
Activity
- Walk several times a day and increase gradually.
- Avoid heavy lifting, strenuous exercise and straining until your surgeon gives clearance, usually two to six weeks depending on the operation.
- Rest when tired but avoid staying in bed all day.
- Return to work and driving only when advised.
- Continue prescribed physiotherapy.
Emotional Recovery
It is common to feel tired, tearful or low after surgery. Stay in touch with family, accept help and talk to your doctor if low mood lasts.
Warning Signs: When to Call the Doctor
Contact your surgeon or go to the emergency department if you have:
- Fever above 100.4°F (38°C) or chills.
- Increasing redness, swelling, warmth, pain or pus at the wound.
- Wound opening or bleeding that soaks the dressing.
- Severe or worsening pain not relieved by medicines.
- Persistent nausea or vomiting, or inability to eat or drink.
- No passing of urine or stool for longer than expected, or a swollen, hard abdomen.
- Pain, swelling, warmth or redness in one leg (possible blood clot).
- Chest pain, shortness of breath, coughing blood or rapid heartbeat (possible clot in the lung or heart problem), which needs emergency care.
- Confusion, severe drowsiness or fainting.
Questions to Ask Your Surgeon
- What exactly will be done, and why now?
- What are the alternatives, and what happens if I choose not to have surgery?
- What type of anaesthesia will I have?
- How long will I stay in hospital, and how long is recovery?
- What pain should I expect, and how will it be managed?
- What are the chances of complications, and how are they handled?
- When can I return to work, drive and exercise?
- Who do I call if I have a problem after discharge?
Common Myths
- "Surgery means I will be bedbound for weeks." Early walking is encouraged in most operations.
- "I should avoid moving to protect the wound." Gentle movement helps healing.
- "Pain medicine is harmful or addictive in this setting." Short-term, properly supervised pain relief is safe and important.
- "Eating more ghee or tonics will heal the wound faster." Balanced nutrition with protein matters; excess fat does not heal faster.
- "Alternative remedies can replace antibiotics." Never replace prescribed treatment with unproven products.
Care at Trustmed Hospital
At Trustmed Hospital in Badshahpur, Gurugram, our surgery department, anaesthesia team and nursing staff guide you through each stage, from pre-operative assessment to discharge. Our operation theatres, ICU, private rooms and insurance desk work together to make your stay safe and smooth. Book an appointment to plan your surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Only those your doctor tells you to take. Some, such as blood pressure medicines, are usually continued with a sip of water, while others, such as blood thinners and certain diabetes tablets, are adjusted.
As early as possible, ideally at least four weeks before surgery. Even stopping 24 to 48 hours before helps by lowering carbon monoxide levels.
Some nausea is common and is treated with anti-sickness medicines. Tell the nurses if it persists.
It depends on the type of dressing and the surgery. Follow your surgeon's instructions.
Your surgeon will advise based on your operation, usually after wound healing and when you feel comfortable.
Talk to a specialist at Trustmed Hospital
If anything in this article sounds familiar, an early consultation is the simplest next step.
This article is for general information only and does not replace a medical consultation. Always speak with a qualified doctor about your specific symptoms, diagnosis, or treatment.
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