How to prepare for surgery and why it matters

Most patients spend a significant amount of time researching which procedure is right for them. Far fewer spend time thinking about what they can do before surgery to set themselves up for the best possible outcome.

Preparation matters. How a patient arrives at surgery, their general health, their habits in the weeks leading up to the procedure, their medical baseline, has a direct effect on how their body heals. This is something I talk through in every consultation, and I want to cover it here because it is one of the most undervalued parts of the surgical experience.

Getting your body ready

For patients with conditions like high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, or anemia, surgery is still possible in most cases. But these conditions need to be well-managed before we proceed. An uncontrolled blood pressure reading on the day of surgery is one of the most common reasons a procedure gets postponed. It is also one of the most preventable.

I work closely with patients to make sure they are medically optimized before their surgery date. That means collaborating with their primary care physician when needed, monitoring relevant labs in the weeks before surgery, and giving patients a clear picture of what we are looking for and why. This first step is crucial to make sure the conditions are right for the body to heal the way we need it to.

Weight stability

Surgery at a stable weight produces the most predictable, lasting results. I ask patients to be at or near their goal weight for at least 3 to 6 months before surgery. A body that has been at the same weight for several months responds to surgery differently than one that has been fluctuating, and the results hold better over time.

What to stop and what to start

In the weeks before surgery, there are specific things patients need to stop: smoking, nicotine products in any form, blood-thinning medications and supplements including aspirin, ibuprofen, vitamin E, and fish oil. These affect circulation and healing in ways that can make the surgery itself and the recovery more complicated.

What to add: hydration, walking, and adequate protein intake. None of these require a dramatic lifestyle overhaul. They are the basic inputs the body needs to heal well. Patients who arrive at surgery well-hydrated, physically active at a moderate level, and eating enough protein generally have smoother recoveries.

The mental side of preparation

Surgery is a significant physical event. Recovery is demanding. There will be days, particularly in the first week, that are harder than expected. Knowing that in advance changes how patients experience those days.

I always encourage patients to have their support system in place before surgery, not scrambling to arrange it afterward. Someone available to help with childcare, meals, and household tasks in the first week is not optional. It is part of the preparation.

The patients who prepare well arrive at surgery in the best possible condition and complete recovery with the best possible results. The work done before the operating room is just as important as the work done inside it.