At a glance

What to remember

  • Read every instruction before the day before surgery so there is time to resolve questions.
  • Disclose prescriptions, injections, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbs, nicotine, alcohol, cannabis, and other substances.
  • Follow the exact fasting and bowel-preparation directions issued for your procedure.
  • Arrange transportation and responsible adult support when sedation, anesthesia, or your facility requires it.

01 · As soon as surgery is scheduled

Turn several instructions into one written plan.

Your surgeon’s office, the facility, and anesthesia team may each provide instructions. Review them together and call if they conflict. Confirm the procedure, date, facility, arrival time, check-in location, fasting plan, medicine plan, transportation, anticipated discharge, and the number to call after hours.

Complete requested laboratory tests, imaging, medical clearance, or cardiac evaluation within the stated time window. A clearance visit should address the specific procedure and anesthesia, not simply produce a general statement that you are healthy.

  • Procedure and planned approach
  • Facility address, arrival entrance, and check-in time
  • Tests, clearance, and documents still needed
  • Eating, drinking, and bowel-preparation instructions
  • Medication instructions written by name and date
  • Ride home, adult support, and first-night plan
  • Work, school, lifting, and caregiving arrangements

02 · Medication safety

Your team needs the complete list, even for products that seem unrelated.

Prescription medicines, insulin, blood thinners, antiplatelet drugs, diabetes and weight-loss medicines, pain relievers, vitamins, herbs, and supplements can affect bleeding, blood sugar, stomach emptying, blood pressure, anesthesia, and recovery. Provide the exact name, dose, schedule, and reason for each product.

Do not stop or change a prescribed medicine on your own. The surgeon, prescribing clinician, and anesthesia team may need to coordinate a plan. Guidance for GLP-1 and other diabetes or weight-management medicines depends on the medicine, dose changes, digestive symptoms, procedure, and anesthesia plan; ask for instructions that apply specifically to you.

03 · Food and fluids

Follow the exact cutoff times you receive.

Eating or drinking too close to sedation or anesthesia can allow stomach contents to enter the lungs. The safe timing depends on what was consumed, the procedure, anesthesia plan, medical conditions, and facility protocol. Some patients may receive clear-liquid instructions rather than a single “nothing after midnight” rule.

Use only the instructions from your surgical and anesthesia teams. Do not assume that gum, candy, mints, alcohol, tobacco, or a protein drink counts as an approved clear liquid. If you accidentally eat or drink outside the instructions, tell the team honestly before anesthesia; they will decide whether it is safe to proceed.

04 · Reduce preventable risk

Use the preparation window to strengthen recovery.

Nutrition, movement, blood-sugar control, breathing health, and nicotine exposure can influence infection, wound healing, lung complications, and functional recovery. Follow condition-specific goals from your clinicians rather than making extreme diet or exercise changes immediately before surgery.

Tell the team about cigarette or vaping use, cannabis, alcohol, sleep apnea and CPAP use, recent steroid treatment, implanted devices, allergies, past anesthesia problems, and any personal or family history of blood clots or bleeding. These details help the team plan safely; they are not reasons to withhold care.

05 · Plan beyond discharge

Prepare the first days at home before you leave for surgery.

Arrange a responsible adult to drive and remain available when required. Consider stairs, pets, children, meal preparation, prescription pickup, mobility, and help with work or caregiving. Place commonly used items where you can reach them without bending or climbing.

Obtain only the supplies the team recommends. Generic wound products, compression garments, restrictive binders, special diets, or equipment can be unnecessary or inappropriate for a particular operation.

  • Comfortable clothing and supportive shoes
  • Approved fluids and foods for the planned postoperative diet
  • A thermometer and organized medication list
  • CPAP, inhalers, glasses, hearing aids, or mobility aids if instructed
  • The discharge ride and backup contact
  • The practice, facility, and emergency contact information

06 · Before the procedure

Report a new illness or health change promptly.

Call the team for fever, cough, breathing symptoms, vomiting or diarrhea, a new infection, a new wound or rash near the operative area, pregnancy, emergency care, hospitalization, or a major medication change. Also report inability to complete prescribed preparation.

Do not decide on your own that the procedure is cancelled. The surgeon and anesthesia team will weigh the condition, urgency, symptoms, and type of anesthesia and tell you how to proceed.

07 · Procedure day

Bring less, and bring the right things.

Follow the bathing and skin-preparation instructions. Avoid lotions, powders, jewelry, and valuables when the facility instructs you to do so. Bring identification, insurance information, the current medication list, advance-directive information if relevant, and any device or document specifically requested.

Arrival time is earlier than procedure time because registration, nursing preparation, consent review, anesthesia evaluation, and safety checks occur first. Delays can happen when urgent clinical needs arise; the team should keep you informed.

08 · The night before

Five questions should already have answers.

  • Where and when do I check in?
  • What is the final time for solid food and for approved liquids?
  • Which medicines do I take or hold, and when?
  • Who is driving me home and helping afterward?
  • Whom do I call if I become ill, miss a preparation step, or have a question?

Frequently asked questions

Clear answers to common concerns.

Should I stop blood thinners before surgery?

Only if the surgical and prescribing teams give you a coordinated plan. Stopping can increase clotting risk, while continuing can increase bleeding risk. The right decision depends on the medicine, reason for taking it, procedure, and timing.

What should I do with a GLP-1 or weight-loss medicine?

Tell the team the exact medicine, dose, injection or tablet schedule, recent dose changes, and digestive symptoms. Follow current instructions from the surgeon and anesthesia team rather than an old universal rule.

Can I drink water on the morning of surgery?

Only according to the written fasting instructions for your procedure and anesthesia plan. Approved clear-liquid timing may differ by facility and patient.

What if I accidentally eat or drink?

Tell the facility and anesthesia team exactly what you had and when. Do not hide it or decide on your own to cancel; they will determine the safe next step.

Do I always need medical clearance?

No. Testing and clearance depend on your health, operation, anesthesia, and facility. Complete only what the surgical team requests, within the requested time window.

Why do I need someone to drive me?

Sedation, anesthesia, pain, medicines, and movement limits can make driving unsafe. Many facilities require a responsible adult and will not release a patient to drive, rideshare alone, or use unapproved transportation. Confirm the rule in advance.

This guide provides general education. Your physician, surgical facility, and discharge instructions determine what applies to your health and procedure.