Most people think of surgery as something that happens on the day. In fact, a good deal of your recovery is determined by what happens in the weeks beforehand — a concept sometimes called prehabilitation. Here's what actually makes a difference.
If you smoke, this is the most useful thing you can do before an operation. Smoking meaningfully increases the risk of chest complications, wound infection, and poor wound healing, and the evidence on stopping beforehand is consistent and strong.
Stopping several weeks before surgery gives the greatest benefit, but even a shorter period helps. Patients are generally advised to stop from at least the night before surgery and to stay off cigarettes for at least a week afterwards — though permanently is better, and surgery is often the moment people finally manage it.
If you'd like help, ask. It's a medical issue, not a lecture.
Fasting before anaesthesia exists to keep your stomach empty so that its contents cannot enter your lungs while you're asleep. It's a genuine safety measure, not a formality.
Typical guidance is no food for around 6 hours and no clear fluids for around 2 hours before surgery — but your hospital will give you exact timings and those are the ones to follow.
One point worth knowing: modern anaesthetic practice generally encourages clear fluids up to two hours before rather than a long, thirsty overnight fast. Being unnecessarily dehydrated doesn't help anyone. Follow your team's instructions, and ask if you're unsure — arriving having eaten when you shouldn't have usually means the operation is postponed.
Bring a complete list of everything you take, including over-the-counter medicines, supplements and herbal remedies — some affect bleeding or interact with anaesthesia.
Particular attention goes to:
Never stop a medication on your own initiative. Stopping some drugs without cover carries its own risks. You'll be given clear, specific instructions.
Where relevant, the weeks beforehand are used to optimise blood sugar control, blood pressure, anaemia and nutrition. Well-controlled diabetes in particular is associated with better wound healing and lower infection risk. If you have a chronic condition, this is worth actively working on rather than leaving until the day.
Light physical activity in the weeks before surgery improves stamina and makes it easier to get up and walk afterwards — which is itself one of the most important things for recovery. Even regular walking and simple breathing exercises help.
It's genuinely difficult to remember everything you meant to ask once you're in the room. Bring a written list. Any decent surgeon would far rather answer ten questions beforehand than have you go into an operation uncertain about what's happening.
Stop smoking if you can, follow the fasting and medication instructions exactly, get chronic conditions well controlled, stay lightly active, and sort out the practical arrangements in advance. None of it is dramatic, but together it measurably improves how your surgery and recovery go.
Procedure-specific preparation is covered in the free Patient's Handbooks.
This article is for general patient education only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Individual circumstances, eligibility, risks and recovery vary — please consult a qualified medical professional for advice specific to your condition.