Preparing for Surgery

Learn what questions to ask in advance, what to do at home, and more so you surgery can be as safe and successful as possible.
Knowing what to expect and how best to prepare for a surgery can not only help keep you safe and improve outcomes, but help you approach your procedure with more confidence.
Nurse getting ready to insert butterfly needle into patient's arm
Using Butterfly Needles for Blood Draws and IVs
fever, temperature, thermometer
What Flu Shot Should You Get If You Are Going to Have Surgery?
Surgeon tying his mask
Tips for Choosing a Great Surgeon
Surgeon talking to patient before surgery
10 Things You Should Tell Your Surgeon Before You Have Surgery
Hispanic female doctor smiling at patient being wheeled into operating room
How to Get a Second Opinion on Surgery
Close up of surgical tools and money
Paying for Surgery Costs That Insurance Won't Pay
Anesthetist in an operating room
For Patients: Understanding the Risks of Having Surgery
Dentist performing oral surgery
The Ins and Outs of Gum Surgery
Row of test tube with blood samples
What to Expect During Liver Function Tests
liver graphic
If You Have Liver Disease, Should You Have Surgery?
Surgeon operating patient on table at hospital
How Long You Should Wait Between Surgeries
Woman with cramps
When Hysterectomy May Be Your Only Option for Adenomyosis
Surgeon talking to patient before surgery
How and When to Say No to Surgery
Urethrotomy
What Is a Urethrotomy and Why Is It Important?
Scientist examining test tubes in lab
What Do Your PT, PTT, and INR Results Mean?
Nurse getting blood from on a female donor
How to Make Blood Draws Easier
Patient with a respiratory mask on operating table
Why You Can't Eat or Drink Before Surgery
A doctor holding six blood tests
Making Sense of Blood Thinners For Surgery Patients
Surgeon and team position patient under xray machine
Why You Must Remove Jewelry and Piercings Before Surgery
Vials in lab
Chem 7 Blood Chemistry Tests: Basic Metabolic Panel
Anesthetist adjusting intravenous drip during open heart operating
Surgery and Versed (Midazolam)
Anesthetist administering gas to patient
Types of Anesthesia Used During Surgery
Automated blood sample testing in laboratory for healthcare screening.
What You Should Know About Your CBC Lab Results
Surgeons performing surgery in operating room
Getting Ready for Surgery the Right Way
man staying in hospital
How to Pack for a Comfortable Hospital Stay
a surgeon putting on gloves
Dealing With an Unplanned or Emergency Surgery While Traveling
Doctor attending patient at ICU
Quitting Smoking Can Improve Surgical Outcome
woman getting sick on toilet
What Do I Do if I'm Sick and I'm Supposed to Have Surgery?
anesthesia
Pot Use: How Marijuana Can Affect Your Surgery
Scalpel on surgical cloth, close-up
How to Decide If You Need Surgery
a person facing away from camera and holding a model of a kidney
Understanding the Multiple Causes of Kidney Failure
Nurse giving pill to a patient in hospital bed.
These Are the Commonly Used Medications Before and After Surgery
Man talking to his doctor
Bowel Prep Made Easy: Step-by-Step Instructions
Urinary catheter bag
How Catheters Are Used After Surgery
Vial of blood being picked up by a gloved hand
Understanding Common Blood Tests and What They Mean
woman going under Anesthesia
Anesthesia Awareness Is a Rare Complication of Surgery
Blood Sample Tube in Hand
Why Packed Red Blood Cells Are Used in Transfusions
Administering drugs through a central line.
Risks Associated With the Placement and Use of Central Lines
A scientist viewing a blood sample under a microscope
Blood Work Tests Before Surgery
Blood test vials
Common Tests: Before and After Surgery
patient talking to doctor
Important Questions to Ask Before You Have Surgery
Depression and Surgery Image
How to Relieve Your Fear When You Are Scared of Surgery
patient resting after surgery with doctor writing on a chart
12 Smart Tips to Help You Prepare for Surgery and Stay Healthy
man calculating bill
The Reasons Why Surgery Costs So Much
Anesthesia and Surgery Image
Curious About Vecuronium?
Operating nurse soothing patient on table in operating room
Discover Why and How Diprivan Is Used During Surgery
Surgeon consulting a patient, holding hands, getting ready for surgery
Gallbladder Surgery: What to Expect on the Day of Surgery
explaining the operation
Hernia Surgery: How To Prepare
Pensive adult black patient looking away to the window while lying down on hospital bed
What to Expect on the Day of Your Hysterectomy Surgery
how to prepare for a mastectomy
Mastectomy: How to Prepare
Cataract surgery - stock photo
Cataract Surgery: How To Prepare
Preparing patient for laser eye surgery - stock photo
Cataract Surgery: What to Expect During Surgery
Nurse comforting senior female patient
Mastectomy: What to Expect on the Day of Surgery
Meshes For Hernia - stock photo
Hernia Surgery: What to Expect on the Day of Surgery
Three Surgeons in Scrubs and Protective Masks Look Down at a Patient on a Hospital Trolley
How to Prepare for Vaginoplasty
Cardiac ablation surgery about to begin
How to Prepare for Ablation Surgery
Preparing for ACL surgery, doctor checks patient's knee
How to Prepare for ACL Surgery
Surgical nurse wheeling patient to surgery in hospital
Knee Arthroscopy: How to Prepare
Woman doing lunges on park bench
Brazilian Butt Lift: How to Prepare
Brain imaging is necessary before brain aneurysm surgery
What to Do Before Having Brain Aneurysm Surgery