A practical checklist can help patients organize questions, medicines, documents, transportation, and facility instructions before surgery. This article is general education and cannot account for an individual patient, procedure, medication list, or surgical plan.
Key takeaways
- Start with the written instructions from your own surgical and anesthesia teams.
- Confirm medicines, fasting, arrival time, transportation, and support at home before the day of surgery.
- Keep identification, health information, and important contact details organized and easy to access.
- Call the care team if instructions are unclear or your health changes before surgery.
Confirm your instructions
Review the written instructions from your surgeon or facility, including arrival time, where to check in, and any rules about eating and drinking. If something is unclear, contact the care team rather than guessing.
Prepare your medication information
Make a current list of prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and supplements. The American College of Surgeons advises patients to share medication information with the surgical team because some medicines may need to be adjusted. Do not stop a prescribed medicine unless your clinician tells you to.
For additional context, see The Night Before Surgery, which explains the next related part of the perioperative pathway.
Organize practical details
Confirm transportation and, when required, arrange for a responsible adult to accompany you or stay with you afterward. Bring identification, insurance information if needed, contact details, and any documents the facility specifically requested.
Pack only what you need
Choose comfortable clothing and leave jewelry and valuables at home. Bring eyeglasses or hearing aids in protective cases if the facility instructs you to bring them, plus mobility aids such as a cane or walker when they are part of your normal care.
Write down your questions
Useful questions include what to expect before and after the procedure, how pain and nausea will be managed, what activity limits may apply, which symptoms should prompt a call, and when follow-up is planned. Your own instructions always take priority over a generic checklist.
Use your own surgical instructions
Perioperative instructions vary by procedure, facility, anesthesia plan, and medical history. If this page differs from instructions given by your healthcare team, follow your healthcare team and contact them with questions.
A simple way to use this guide
Turn the information on this page into three short lists: instructions you must follow, practical tasks you need to arrange, and questions you still need answered. Keep the first list limited to directions from your own facility, especially fasting, medicines, arrival time, bathing or skin preparation, and transportation. That reduces the chance that general advice will be confused with individualized medical instructions.
Complete practical tasks early when possible. Arrange a responsible adult if required, plan for children or pets, set up the home for mobility needs, charge necessary devices, and keep identification and contact information together. Then review your questions with the care team. If something important remains unclear the evening before surgery, use the contact number provided rather than making assumptions that could lead to cancellation or an avoidable safety problem.
Frequently asked questions
When should I start preparing for surgery?
Preparation often begins as soon as the procedure is scheduled. Early planning gives you time to review instructions, arrange transportation and help at home, organize medication information, complete required testing, and contact the team if anything is unclear.
Should I stop medicines before surgery?
Only when your surgical or anesthesia team specifically tells you to. Some medicines may need to be changed or paused, while others should continue. Do not stop prescription medicines, blood thinners, diabetes medicines, or other important therapies based only on general internet advice.
What is the most important item on a surgery checklist?
Following the individualized instructions from your own care team is the priority. A general checklist is useful for organization, but it cannot replace instructions about fasting, medicines, arrival time, transportation, or other requirements for your specific procedure.
References and further reading
- American College of Surgeons: Preparing for Surgery
- Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality: Getting Ready for Your Ambulatory Surgery
- MedlinePlus: The day of your surgery — adult