- After an evaluation at your doctor’s office you will be told that surgery is necessary. This will be to either diagnose or to treat your medical condition.
- You will be told to get ready for surgery.
- Here is where the surgical experience begins.
Tips to Prepare for Surgery
1. Build Trust with Your Surgical Team
Get to know your surgeon and anesthesia provider. Ask the questions that matter to you—being informed helps reduce anxiety and improves confidence. Patients who understand their care are more likely to have better outcomes.
2. Research Your Providers
Do your homework before the procedure. Knowing you’ve chosen the right healthcare team will help you feel at ease.
3. Understand the Process
Ask questions, explore alternatives, and rely on trusted sources for information. Listen carefully to the advice of your healthcare team.
4. Follow Pre-Surgery Recommendations
Your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes such as losing weight, exercising, or quitting smoking. Following these instructions can help lower surgical risks.
5. Plan for Discharge
Most surgeries today require little or no hospital stay. Arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure.
6. Prepare Your Home
Make your space safe and accessible. Rearrange furniture if needed to make moving around easier during recovery.
7. Arrange Support
Ask a family member or friend to assist you when you return home. Having help makes recovery safer and more comfortable.
Anxiety Before Surgery
Feeling nervous before surgery is completely normal. In fact, about 70% of people experience some level of anxiety before a procedure. It usually comes from not knowing exactly what to expect, worrying about pain, or feeling like things are a bit out of your control.
Common Symptoms Anxiety can show up in lots of ways—both physically and emotionally:
- A racing or pounding heartbeat
- Trouble falling asleep
- Nausea or an unsettled stomach
- Feeling restless, tense, or irritable
- Difficulty focusing on anything else
When anxiety gets really intense, it can even influence how smoothly recovery goes, so it’s worth paying attention to how you’re feeling.
Why Preoperative Preparation Matters
Doctors agree: preparing patients for surgery leads to better outcomes.
Your journey begins with a preoperative evaluation in your doctor’s office. During this visit, your doctor will gather detailed information about your health to ensure you’re a good candidate for surgery.
They may also coordinate with your primary care physician to confirm you’re ready for the procedure. In many cases, you’ll be asked to schedule a visit with your primary doctor for additional clearance.
You may also speak with nurses from your doctor’s office or the hospital. They’ll review your medical history and share this information with the anesthesia team. This step is critical—it helps identify any potential issues that could affect your care during surgery.
Get Ready for Surgery
Common Concerns of Surgery
There are several concerns that seem to be on the mind of patients as they approach the day of surgery. These are persisting nausea & vomiting, general anesthesia, waking up during surgery and severe pain. We give you insights into these topics so you can get ready for surgery and help your anesthesia caregiver prevent them from happening.
Do not be afraid to discuss these concerns with your anesthesia provider.
Get Ready for Surgery:
Learn More
Prepare for Surgery
Your Guide Through the Journey
From the moment you learn surgery is necessary to the day you recover at home, we guide you through each stage of the surgical experience. Our resources are designed to make the process less overwhelming and more manageable.
Valuable Insights
We give you the tools and knowledge to communicate effectively with your physician and healthcare team. Understanding what to ask—and what to expect—can make all the difference in your care and recovery.
- Join us as we take you through the many stages of preparation.
- We will give you the knowledge you need to ask the important questions of your surgeon, anesthesia providers and nurses.
- We are not here to replace your providers but to act as a bridge to better communication.
- We want your experience to be the best possible and to help you recover quickly.
Take Advantage of our Experience
The professionals at Surgi-Ready have extensive experience in preparing patients for surgery in medical centers. We are here to share our knowledge to help you have the best experience possible for your surgery. We will help you get ready for surgery.
