Facing a planned operation? A little preparation at home and clear communication with your hospital team can ease anxiety, lower anaesthetic risk and speed your recovery. Small, practical steps in the week before surgery, on admission day and during the first days at home make a big difference to safety and comfort.
Before you go in
– Set up a recovery zone close to a bathroom. Arrange a comfortable chair, a small table for water and medication, a phone charger and your glasses or hearing aid within arm’s reach.
– Stock the freezer with single-portion, high-protein meals — casseroles, stews or protein-rich soups — to help tissue repair when you don’t feel like cooking.
– Gather essentials: prescribed pain meds, mobility aids (crutches, walker), ice packs, spare batteries or chargers. Ask a neighbour or friend to check in during the first week.
– If you live alone, organise reliable transport for discharge and plan phone check-ins for the first 72 hours.
– Rehearse movement you’ll need after surgery: practise standing, using handrails and walking short distances with any mobility aid you’ll use.
What happens on admission and during anaesthesia
Admission usually means a quick registration, a change into a gown and a nursing briefing. The anaesthetic team will explain options and risks — regional blocks, sedation or general anaesthesia — and answer your questions. A regional (nerve) block numbs a specific area and often lets you stay awake; general anaesthesia makes you unconscious.
Anaesthetic challenges and how teams manage them
Certain situations make airway management or oxygenation trickier: limited neck movement, facial swelling or masses, and in very young children or some adults, a tendency to desaturate quickly because of smaller lung reserves. Your perioperative team plans for these issues with careful positioning, continuous monitoring and readiness for advanced airway support. If you have a latex allergy, let staff know so a latex-free environment can be maintained.
Keeping you warm and managing blood loss
Surgery and the operating-room environment can lower body temperature. To prevent hypothermia, teams use warmed blankets, pre-warmed IV fluids and warmed gases. For larger or more complex procedures where blood or cerebrospinal fluid loss can be significant, clinicians monitor losses continuously, give warmed fluids or blood products as needed and use medications to support blood pressure.
Early recovery in hospital and at home
Right after surgery, the focus is pain control, preventing complications and beginning rehabilitation. Pain relief is adjusted so you can take part in physiotherapy while remaining comfortable. Getting up early — standing, short walks and supervised stair practice — reduces risks like blood clots and speeds your return to normal activities. Before you leave, staff will make sure you can manage toileting, dressing and safe transfers with any aids you need.
Back at home
Keep following your prescribed medications and physiotherapy plan. Check incision sites daily for redness, swelling or unusual drainage. Expect ups and downs: sleep may be broken, energy levels will fluctuate, and short rest periods are normal. Familiar comforts and visits from friends or family can boost morale. Call your surgical team or seek urgent care if you have seizures, fever, severe trouble breathing, uncontrolled pain or unexpected wound drainage.
Practical tips for patients and caregivers
– Create a simple recovery calendar showing medication times, dressing changes and exercise sessions.
– Label important items clearly and keep emergency contacts visible.
– Caregivers should learn basic postoperative checks: taking temperature, inspecting wounds and recognising warning signs that need prompt medical attention.
– Keep follow-up appointments and maintain open lines of communication with your surgical team.
A little organisation and clear communication go a long way. With sensible preparation and the support of your care team, you can reduce risks and make recovery smoother and more comfortable.