Essential Tips for Surgery Preparation: Your Complete Guide

Your mental state before anesthesia is directly connected to your recovery, and small, personal preparations - from choosing a trusted surgeon to bringing calming music - can make surgery and hospitalization far easier to face.

There is a direct connection between our mental state before anesthesia and overall recovery from surgeries. Over time and with each hospitalization and surgery, I've learned some tips that make the experience a bit easier for me. A friend asked me to compile my tips for surgery and hospitalization, so here they are, aimed at making the experience more pleasant.

I’ll never forget the first time I realized my perianal fistula wouldn’t heal on its own and that I needed surgery to help it drain.

Before my first surgery, I had never been operated on and felt like fainting at the mere thought of going into a hospital, let alone undergoing anesthesia. The fear of not waking up was overwhelming.

I took a deep breath and scheduled the surgery. I arrived at the hospital with my father. We filled out the necessary forms together, but soon after, we were told we’d part ways, and I’d see him again after I woke up.

As the orderly wheeled my bed toward the operating room, my heart pounded so hard it felt like it was about to burst out of my chest.

The Moment of Truth

I lay there on the operating table, feeling exposed. It was freezing cold, and I was trembling. A massive spotlight was shining on me, casting the most unflattering light. I couldn’t utter a word.

I thought to myself, "Is this it? Is this the end? Will I wake up from the anesthesia? Will the surgery be successful? How much will it hurt afterward? What if I wake up in the middle? How will my current stress level impact my recovery?"

I just couldn’t calm down. The doctor held my hand and smiled empathetically. I asked if they could play Simon and Garfunkel’s "The Sound of Silence." The doctor was kind enough to oblige (this has since become a tradition for me).

I started to relax, my heart rate slowed, but the questions and fears still spun in my head. Thankfully, I drifted off to sleep thanks to morphine and ketamine. When I woke up, I thought about what I could do to make the experience easier next time, both for better recovery and overall comfort.

After eight surgeries in three years, my list of tips has evolved. If you're earlier in this process, our broader guide on the role of surgery in Crohn's disease management covers when and why it might be needed.

Ten Commandments for Future Surgery Patients

I chose to share these because I’m sure they will help many. Everyone should create their own personal list, as we know ourselves best and what will make us feel good. Feel free to share what works for you in the comments.

Tips for Surgery Preparation

so without further ado here are our Tips for surgery preparation:

1. Surgeon: Choose a surgeon you trust and feel comfortable with. Make sure they are accessible for any questions or concerns.
2. Companion: Bring someone who can keep you calm and won't get overly anxious. Every family has that one person who handles stress better-take them instead of the hysterical one.
3. Home Preparation: Clean your house and prepare light, comforting food for afterward.
4. Hydration: Before starting your liquid fast, drink plenty of water with lemon and mint to hydrate and detoxify your body.
5. Pre-Surgery Bath: Take a long, relaxing bath as if you were at a spa.
6. Comfortable Clothes: Wear loose, comfortable clothing and leave your jewelry at home.
7. Friendliness: Befriend the medical staff on duty. This is crucial because they will be with you during the critical moments.
8. Anesthesiologist: Talk to the anesthesiologist about the anesthesia materials and request they add something to prevent nausea.
9. Intubation Preferences: If you have preferences regarding the intubation method (tube or oxygen mask), discuss them with your anesthesiologist. Personal experience suggests regular intubation over a vacuum mask, but everyone has their own comfort level.
10. Music: Ask the nurse to play your favorite calming music as you enter the operating room. Trust me, it helps.

Packing for Hospitalization

Always take things that make you feel most at home, even when you’re not. Here’s my list of tips for hospitalization, which significantly improves the conditions in the ward:

• Comfortable pajamas.
• Eye mask.
• Earplugs.
• Laptop/iPad/phone and chargers.
• Noise-canceling headphones.
• It’s usually cold in hospitals, so bring a large sweatshirt or poncho that allows easy access for IVs and keeps you warm.
• A blanket-bring your freshly washed TV blanket.
• A good book.
• A comfortable pillow from your bed.
• Bath towel and face towel.
• Pain relievers (sometimes nurses aren't immediately available, and it's good to have them on hand).
• Your regular prescription medications.
• Basic toiletries like a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, etc.
• Slippers.
• Air freshener.

Wishing you a smooth surgery and quick recovery! ❤️