Blog

How to Prepare Your Loved One for Surgery

It can be nerve-wracking if a loved one requires surgery, no matter how major or minor.

You’ll want to do your best to prepare them for surgery and ensure that they’re comfortable, mentally and emotionally ready, and physically prepared for the healing and postop journey as well.

Here are some tips on how you can help and what you can do to support them more effectively:

Help them make better, healthier diet and lifestyle choices

Many people struggle with eating healthy and exercising in their daily lives, but that can make a significant difference in their recovery process and journey. It’s crucial that you help your loved one clean up their diet, eat more nutritious foods, and add movement to their routine, since all these things will improve outcomes and postop healing.

A great idea is to set up appointments with their surgeon a few weeks before and ask them about diet and exercise in preparing for surgery.

Prepare a recovery space or an area at home for them

Help your loved one create a recovery space in their home, whether they live with someone or alone. A recovery area should include a place to rest, such as a bed or couch, any support items, and mobility aids they might require, like a walker or cane, medications, food, entertainment, and other essentials. Knowing that they have a safe, dedicated space to come home to makes preparing for surgery easier.

If you need more advice on what they need for recovery, consult a physician at our hospital for special surgery.

Prepare a meal and medication chart for their healing

Lastly, create a detailed meal and medication chart for the patient’s healing and recovery. Preparing for surgery is daunting, and it can be hard to keep track of all the medications patients need to take before and after a procedure, especially if they’re older. You can help them create a medication chart and plan mealtimes as well, scheduling what they eat and when in order to take the pressure off.

Helping a loved one before and after surgery can be tough, but it’s easier when you choose one of the best surgical hospitals for their care. At TOPS Surgical Specialty Hospital, we pride ourselves on our award-winning patient care and strive to provide only the best care during every surgical procedure. Explore our website to find the right surgeon near you and schedule an appointment with them directly. They will handle the coordination with our hospital for special surgery for you.