How do I prepare myself for major surgery?

To prepare for major surgery, focus on your health by eating well, exercising, quitting smoking, and getting rest, while also arranging practical support (transport, help at home) and preparing mentally by asking questions, practicing relaxation, and organizing necessary documents like insurance and ID for the hospital. Key steps include discussing your meds with your doctor, following fasting rules, and preparing your home for easier recovery, say sources like Mayo Clinic and ACOG.

How do I prepare my body for a big surgery?

Reduce or quit smoking. Eat healthy foods, such as fruits, vegetables, lean meats and whole grains, and drink enough fluids to stay well-hydrated. Get plenty of rest. Arrange support from family or friends during and after surgery, including transportation to and from the hospital.

What surgery is hardest on the body?

What is the most complex surgery to recover from? The most complex surgery to recover from can vary depending on the individual. Still, spinal fusion, shoulder replacement, and ACL reconstruction are often considered among the most challenging due to the lengthy recovery time and physical therapy required.

What not to do before major surgery?

You may have plain water until 5 am before surgery. Do not drink alcohol 24 hours before surgery. Do not use any illegal, recreational drugs (including cocaine, marijuana) 24 hours before surgery. Do not smoke prior to surgery.

How long does it take your body to get over major surgery?

The time it takes for your body to recover from surgery varies widely depending on several factors, including the type of surgery, your overall health, and individual differences. Recovery can range from a few days to several months or even up to a year for more complex procedures.

4 tips to mentally prepare for surgery

What are the 5 W's after surgery?

The most common causes of postoperative fever are often summarized for medical students by a mnemonic beginning with the letter W. The classic list consists of five W's – Wind, Water, Wound, Walking, and Wonder Drugs, but two other causes should also be considered – Wing/Waterway and (W)abscess.

What is the best last meal to eat before surgery?

Eat a light, well-balanced meal about 12 hours before your surgery. Consider having a protein-rich beverage such as chocolate milk, as well. Six hours before, eat about 50 grams or half a cup of carbohydrates. After that, it is best to stay with clear liquids only.

What's the worst day of the week to have surgery?

The most comprehensive analysis of what happens to patients who have surgery on Fridays versus Mondays, published in JAMA by more than a dozen US and Canadian researchers, is unequivocal: The people who underwent all kinds of procedures before the weekend suffered on average more short-term, medium-term, and long-term ...

What is the 2 4 6 rule for anesthesia?

The 2-4-6 rule for anesthesia is a guideline for preoperative fasting, indicating how long patients should abstain from food and drink before surgery to prevent aspiration (inhaling stomach contents): 2 hours for clear liquids, 4 hours for breast milk, and 6 hours for formula or light meals, with heavier meals requiring longer (often 8+). This evidence-based rule, established by the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), replaces older "NPO after midnight" mandates, allowing for shorter, safer fasting times for most healthy patients. 

What surgery is called the mother of all surgeries?

The surgery nicknamed the "Mother of All Surgeries" (MOAS) is Cytoreductive Surgery (CRS) combined with Heated Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC), a very aggressive and lengthy procedure to treat cancers that have spread within the abdominal cavity, like certain ovarian, colorectal, and appendix cancers. It involves removing all visible tumors and affected organs, followed by bathing the abdomen in hot chemotherapy to kill remaining cancer cells, making it incredibly complex and demanding.
 

What is the number one painful surgery?

There isn't one single "most painful" surgery, as pain is subjective, but spinal fusion is consistently ranked at or near the top by experts and patients due to nerve involvement, extensive tissue disruption, and hardware placement, while other contenders for extreme pain include severe burn debridement, complex abdominal surgeries (like Whipple), and major orthopedic procedures like total hip/knee replacements, all involving deep tissue trauma and long, difficult recoveries.
 

How do surgeons minimize pain during surgery?

The use of perioperative epidural anesthesia and analgesia, especially with a local anesthetic-based analgesic solution, can attenuate the pathophysiologic response to surgery and may be associated with a reduction in morbidity and mortality compared with analgesia with systemic (opioid) agents.

What not to eat 7 days before surgery?

Foods to Avoid Before Surgery

• Peanuts.
• Eggs.
• Nuts.
• Milk.
• Fish and shellfish.
• Soy or wheat products.

What is the fastest way to recover from major surgery?

Get Plenty of Rest. The most important thing you can do following a surgical procedure is to get plenty of rest. Although you may want to get back to your everyday routine as quickly as possible, it is important for you to take some time off from your responsibilities to allow your body to heal.

What to do in the morning of surgery?

What to Expect on the day of Surgery

• Follow instructions about not eating or drinking. ...
• If your surgeon told you to take any medicine on the day of surgery, take it with a small sip of water.
• Brush your teeth or rinse your mouth but spit out all of the water.
• Take a shower or bath.

What is the rule of 10 for surgery?

The rule of ten is used as a reference to determine which patients are fit for surgery, especially for cleft lip patients. The rule of ten include parameters at 10 such as the weight limit value of 10 lbs, hemoglobin 10 g / dL and white blood cell count <10,000 mm 3 and the optimal time for surgery, over ten weeks old.

What not to do the night before surgery?

The night before surgery, DO NOT eat, drink (even water, gum, or mints) after midnight, drink alcohol, smoke/vape, wear makeup/nail polish/jewelry, or apply lotions; instead, follow your surgeon's specific instructions for medications and skin prep, arrange a ride home, and wear loose clothing. These prohibitions prevent serious complications like aspiration (stomach contents in lungs) during anesthesia and interference with monitoring, ensuring your surgery's safety. 

What is the 3 day rule in a hospital?

The 3-day rule requires the patient to have a medically necessary 3-consecutive-day inpatient hospital stay, not including the discharge day or pre-admission time in the emergency department (ED) or outpatient observation.

Can I brush my teeth before surgery?

Yes, you can usually brush your teeth before surgery, and it's often encouraged for good hygiene, but you must not swallow any water or toothpaste; spit everything out and rinse your mouth carefully, as swallowing liquids or toothpaste is forbidden before anesthesia. Always follow your specific surgical center's instructions, as rules can vary, but generally, you'll fast from food and drink (even water) for several hours prior, but oral care is permitted as long as you don't ingest anything. 

What vitamins should you avoid before surgery?

Before surgery, you should avoid vitamins and supplements that increase bleeding (like Vitamin E, Fish Oil, Garlic, Ginger, Ginkgo, Ginseng, Feverfew) or interfere with anesthesia (like St. John's Wort, Kava, Valerian, Echinacea), as well as high-dose multivitamins, as they can raise bleeding risk, interact with anesthesia, or affect blood sugar/clotting, requiring you to stop them typically 1-2 weeks prior; always tell your doctor about everything you take.
 

What is the first meal after surgery?

On the day of surgery, begin with clear fluids (juice, broth, tea, Jell-O) and progress slowly to more substantial foods. Remember, it is important to maintain nutrition for optimal healing to occur while still thinking of light foods to eat after surgery.

What are three major things needed to remain healthy after surgery?

Tips for a Fast Recovery after Surgery

• Manage your pain. You will experience pain after your surgery but following the pain medication plan that your doctor gives you can help. ...
• Get adequate rest. Sleep is when your body can repair and heal. ...
• Get moving. Physical activity is just as important as rest.

What questions to ask after surgery?

After surgery, ask your doctor about the procedure's success, expected recovery (pain, swelling, side effects), activity limits (driving, lifting, exercise), wound care (dressings, stitches), medication, signs of complications (infection, DVT), follow-up schedule, and when to call with questions. Key areas to cover include what to expect at home, care instructions, and warning signs to watch for, ensuring you know who to contact if issues arise. 

What is oozing after surgery?

Serous Drainage. Serous drainage is a clear to yellow fluid that leaks out of a wound. It's slightly thicker than water. It's the fluid that makes your bandage look and feel wet. This type of wound drainage is a normal part of your body's healing process.