Medical information
Use the time before surgery to clarify your clinical instructions, prepare for early recovery and remove practical friction at home.
Quick overview
Not every person will need every step in the same way.
Complete the assessment and tell the team about health changes.
Bring a complete list and follow your team's stop-or-continue instructions.
Use the exercise and lifestyle advice given for your situation.
Arrange transport and practical help for the early days.
01 — Before admission
A preoperative assessment checks whether anything needs attention before surgery. Tests differ, so use your appointment letter and clinical team as the source for your own plan.
Complete the assessment and tell the team about health changes.
Bring a complete list and follow your team's stop-or-continue instructions.
Use the exercise and lifestyle advice given for your situation.
Arrange transport and practical help for the early days.
Make essential tasks easier and reduce avoidable trip hazards.
Bring an accurate list of prescription medicines, over-the-counter products, vitamins and herbal supplements. Do not stop a medicine because of a generic web checklist—follow the instructions from the team managing your operation.
Confirm when to stop eating and drinking, what to bring, where to arrive and who to contact if you become unwell before surgery.
Use only the exercises and activity advice appropriate for you. NHS and NICE guidance also includes lifestyle preparation such as smoking cessation and healthy eating.
Arrange transport home and decide who can help with food, shopping or household tasks if you need support in the early period.
02 — Preparing your home
This is a planning list, not a list of required products. Your occupational therapy or surgical team can tell you whether any equipment is appropriate.
Reduce clutter and check loose rugs, mats and stair rails.
Put frequently used items where they are easy to reach.
Prepare meals or stock food that is easy to manage.
Think about shopping, laundry, pets and household tasks.
Arrange the journey home and early follow-up transport.
Ask your care team what, if anything, you should obtain.
03 — Questions for your surgical team
Write down the answers. Your own instructions may differ from general information online.
Which medicines should I take, pause or change?
When should I stop eating and drinking?
Which movements or precautions apply to my operation?
What help or equipment should I arrange at home?
Who do I contact with concerns after discharge?
What is my plan for pain relief, wound care and rehabilitation?
What happens next
Start with the medical framework, then explore patient-experience questions separately.
Every medical claim is mapped in the structured evidence file. Patient forums were not used as medical sources.
NHS · Page last reviewed 6 March 2024
Supports: pre-admission assessment, exercise and lifestyle preparation, smoking cessation, home preparation, support and transport. Retrieved 2026-08-20.NHS · Page last reviewed 9 July 2024
Supports: preoperative assessment, medicine list, fasting and medicine instructions, transport and admission preparation. Retrieved 2026-08-20.National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) · NG157, published 4 June 2020; reviewed 19 December 2024
Supports: preoperative rehabilitation, information before and after surgery, shared decision-making, contact and recovery planning. Retrieved 2026-08-20.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), OrthoInfo · Patient education guide; current document retrieved 20 August 2026
Supports: physical preparation, health review, home safety, food and household preparation. Retrieved 2026-08-20.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), OrthoInfo · Peer-reviewed patient information; current page retrieved 20 August 2026
Supports: medical evaluation, tests before surgery, medicine discussion. Retrieved 2026-08-20.Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust · Current patient guide retrieved 20 August 2026
Supports: home preparation, trip-hazard reduction, support planning, medicine and transport preparation. Retrieved 2026-08-20.