Bring the information and practical items your facility requests while leaving unnecessary valuables at home. 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.
Documents and contact information
Bring photo identification, insurance information when required, and any forms the facility asked you to complete. Keep the phone number of your support person and important clinicians available.
A complete medication list
Bring an up-to-date list that includes prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and supplements. Include doses and how often you take them when possible. The surgical team may use this information during medication reconciliation.
For additional context, see Surgery Preparation Checklist, which explains the next related part of the perioperative pathway.
Comfort and accessibility items
Comfortable, loose-fitting clothes are usually easier after surgery. If you normally use glasses, hearing aids, a cane, walker, or another assistive device, follow the facility’s instructions about bringing it and label cases or equipment when appropriate.
What to leave at home
Unless your facility says otherwise, avoid bringing jewelry, large amounts of cash, or other valuables. Contact lenses may need to be removed before surgery, so glasses and a protective case can be more practical.
Facility-specific items
Some centers have very specific packing rules, especially for overnight stays. Use your own pre-admission instructions as the final authority and contact the facility if you are unsure.
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
Should I bring all of my medication bottles to surgery?
Some facilities ask for medication bottles while others prefer a complete written or electronic list. Follow your facility’s instructions. At minimum, make sure the team has accurate names, doses, schedules, allergies, and information about supplements or nonprescription products.
Can I bring valuables or jewelry?
It is generally better to leave unnecessary valuables and jewelry at home. Procedures often require removal of jewelry and personal items, and storage options may be limited. Bring only what the facility has requested and what you genuinely need.
Should I bring a CPAP machine, walker, or other equipment?
If you regularly use medical or mobility equipment, ask the surgical facility whether you should bring it. MedlinePlus specifically notes that patients may be asked to bring equipment such as CPAP devices, walkers, or canes when relevant to their care.
References and further reading
- MedlinePlus: The day of your surgery — adult
- American College of Surgeons: Preparing for Surgery
- Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality: Getting Ready for Your Ambulatory Surgery