Planning Surgery? Your Pre-Op Checklist
You booked the surgery. You paid the deposit. Now you've got a few weeks, and a hundred little things to do, before the big day.
Ándale, bonita (come on, pretty one), let's get you ready. This pre-op checklist is what I walk my clients through so they come home to a calm, ready house instead of chaos.
Pre-op checklist: the quick answer
Your pre-op checklist comes down to five things: get your surgeon's instructions in writing, line up your people, set up your home, buy your supplies, and book your recovery care. Start about 4 to 6 weeks out, and do a little each week.
Poco a poco: little by little. You don't have to do it all in one weekend.
4 to 6 weeks before surgery
Ask for your pre-op and post-op instructions in writing. It's so much easier to read them now than when you're groggy.
Ask which medications and supplements to stop, and when. Don't guess. Some supplements affect bleeding.
Stop smoking and vaping if your surgeon tells you to. Nicotine slows healing.
Get your labs and medical clearance done if your surgeon asks for them.
Ask your big questions now: who removes your drains, what your incisions will look like, and who you call after hours.
2 to 3 weeks before surgery
Line up your caregiver. You need someone with you for at least the first 24 to 48 hours. Ask your surgeon how long they recommend.
Line up your ride home from surgery, and to your first follow-up.
Plan time off work, plus a little extra. Recovery almost always takes longer than you think.
Get help with kids, pets, and meals. Freeze a few easy dinners.
Order your faja, foam, and board so you have time to exchange sizes.
1 to 2 weeks before surgery
Set up your recovery space. Put everything at hip level so you don't have to bend or reach.
Make a rolling cart station next to your bed or recliner with your meds, water bottle, snacks, lip balm, and an extra-long phone charger.
Cover your bed, couch, and car seat with chux pads.
Book your post-op sessions. My clients usually come in once they can comfortably ride in a car. Booking ahead means you're not scrambling for a spot when you're sore.
Get a pre-op massage to relax your body and your nervous system before surgery.
The night before and the morning of
Follow your eating and drinking instructions exactly. If they say nothing after midnight, they mean it.
Shower the way your surgeon tells you to. Some want a special soap. Skip lotions, oils, and makeup.
Ask about nail polish, acrylics, jewelry, and piercings. Many surgical teams want them off.
Wear loose, button-front clothes and slip-on shoes.
Pack a small bag: your ID, your instructions, a phone charger, lip balm, a pillow for the car ride, and a bag in case of nausea.
Ojo, watch out: if you get sick, get a fever, or start your period and you're worried, call your surgeon's office before you show up.
Don't forget your mind
What I tell my clients: prepare your nervous system, not just your house. It's normal to feel scared, excited, and emotional all at once, and it's normal to cry a few days after surgery. Tell your caregiver that ahead of time so they don't panic.
Con calma: take it easy. You've done the work. Now let your body do its part.
Here's your chisme for today: do a practice run a few days before surgery. Sit in your recovery spot, reach for your cart, zip your faja, and get in and out of bed without using your stomach muscles. Anything that feels hard now will feel ten times harder after surgery.
¡Ya estás lista! You're ready.
Want the full list?
Every recovery product I recommend, with honest notes on each, is in my full shopping list.
My book has the whole game plan, from choosing your surgeon to your last week in a faja.
If you're in Sacramento and planning surgery, I'd love to help you get ready, before and after.
Not local? Reach out to me for a private consult over Zoom (small fee).
I'm a Certified Massage Therapist (CAMTC No. 39170), not a doctor. This post is for education, not medical advice. Always follow your surgeon's instructions.
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