Preparing for surgery

What can I do to prepare for surgery?

There are things you can do to improve your health in the lead up to your operation.

Try to be as physically active as possible and do any exercises your physiotherapist or doctor has given you. By continuing to strengthen and stretch your body, particularly the part that’s being operated on, you can increase your chances of a good and speedy recovery.

You can find more advice on our exercising with arthritis pages.

Keeping active and as fit as possible can also help you manage your pain levels in the lead up to surgery. If you are struggling with pain in the lead up to your operation, our advice about managing pain should help.

Being unfit, overweight or a smoker can increase your risk of complications. If you are concerned about this speak to a healthcare professional and take a look at our advice about diet and exercise.

The following services are available if you'd like support to stop smoking:

• England - NHS Smokefree
• Scotland - NHS inform
• Wales - NHS Wales - Help Me Quit
• Northern Ireland - Quit Kit

What can I do to protect myself before surgery?

Once you have a date for your surgery you will be advised to reduce the amount of contact you have with other people.

Some hospitals may recommend you isolate with members of your household for 14 days before your surgery to reduce the risk of infection.

You should continue to take precautions, such as hand washing, to reduce the risk of exposure to colds and flu.

Before your surgery

A few days before your operation, you will be asked if you are showing any signs of infection, such as a cough or a temperature.

If there is a risk you may have an infection, your operation is likely to be postponed, especially if you have other health problems that could increase your risk of complications.

How long will I take to recover from surgery?

Your surgeon should explain how long you will need to stay in hospital after surgery if all goes to plan.

The more you can do to keep yourself fit and healthy before your surgery, the better your chances of a straightforward recovery.

When you leave hospital

Your surgical team will advise you on the best steps to recovery. They will tell you how to take care of your wound and will write to your GP’s surgery to arrange treatment once you are home. They should be able to tell you exactly what aftercare to expect once you’re home.

You may need to have home visits from a doctor or district nurse to care for your wound. 

Once you're home, you should continue to protect yourself from infection. Contact your GP surgery as soon as possible if you have any concerns about your wound or think you may have signs of an infection.