Having surgery and going home the same day is routine, but there's a right way to get ready for it — the week before matters almost as much as the day itself. Here's what to do and when.

35 items · 9 essential reviewed 5 Oct 2026 3 sources .md .json

1–2 Weeks Before

Confirm who's driving you homeFacilities won't discharge you without a responsible adult to drive you; sedation and anesthesia make it unsafe (and often illegal) to drive yourself, even in a taxi or rideshare alone.
Arrange someone to stay with you for the first 24 hoursAnesthesia can affect judgment and coordination longer than you'd expect.
Ask your surgeon which medications to stop and whenBlood thinners, NSAIDs, and some supplements (fish oil, vitamin E, certain herbals) raise bleeding risk and often need to stop 5–10 days ahead — don't stop anything on your own without asking.
Tell the surgical team about every medication, supplement, and allergy you haveInclude over-the-counter drugs — they ask for a reason.
Flag chronic conditions so the team can plan around them if if applicableDiabetes, sleep apnea, heart or lung disease.
Arrange time off work, childcare, and pet careFor the surgery day and your expected recovery window.
Cut back or quit smoking if you canEven a short break before surgery lowers wound-healing and lung complication risk.
Fill prescriptions for pain medication in advanceSo they're waiting at home, not something you have to pick up groggy after the procedure.

The Day Before

Follow your fasting instructions exactlyStandard timing is clear liquids up to 2 hours before, a light meal up to 6 hours before, and fried or fatty food/meat up to 8 hours before — but go by what your team tells you, since it can vary by anesthesia type.
Confirm your arrival time and locationIt's usually earlier than the actual procedure time.
Lay out loose, comfortable clothingEasy to get on and off and won't need to go over your head if you'll have bandages or an IV.
Set up a recovery spot at homePillows, ice packs if advised, water, easy-to-eat food, phone charger within reach.
Remove nail polish and acrylicsIf you'll be monitored with a pulse oximeter (it reads through your fingertip).
Shower the night before or morning of with the soap your facility gives you if if instructedSome centers ask for an antiseptic wash to cut infection risk.
Do not shave the surgical site yourselfIf hair removal is needed, staff do it right before surgery with clippers — razors the day before actually raise infection risk.

The Morning Of

Take only the medications you were told to take, with a small sip of waterSome, like blood pressure pills, are usually continued; skip this and you could face a cancelled surgery or a safety issue during the procedure.
Skip breakfast/drinks past your cutoff timeFood or liquid in your stomach during anesthesia risks aspiration; the center can and will postpone you if you don't comply.
Leave all jewelry, body piercings, and valuables at home
Skip makeup, lotion, deodorant, and perfume
Wear glasses instead of contactsAnd bring a case for glasses, hearing aids, or dentures.
Bring photo ID, insurance card, and a list of your medications and dosages
Bring your advance directive if you have one if if applicable
Make sure your driver can stay at or near the facility, or be reachable by phoneMany centers require a confirmed driver before they'll even start the procedure.

At the Surgery Center

Expect to answer the same safety questions more than onceYour name, procedure, allergies — that repetition is a deliberate safety check, not a mix-up.
Ask any last questions about pain control and what to expect in recovery
Confirm you understand your discharge instructions before you leaveIf anesthesia is still wearing off, ask for a written copy too.

First 24–48 Hours Home

Don't drive, operate machinery, sign legal documents, or drink alcohol for at least 24 hoursJudgment and reflexes can stay impaired long after you feel "back to normal."
Have your support person stay with you overnightEspecially after sedation or general anesthesia.
Take pain medication as prescribed rather than waiting for pain to spikeIt's easier to stay ahead of pain than catch up to it.
Follow wound and bandage care instructions exactly
Watch for warning signs and call your surgeon right awayFever, spreading redness, pus, unusual swelling, heavy bleeding, or pain that's getting worse instead of better can signal infection or a complication that needs prompt attention.
Rest and avoid strenuous activityFor as long as you were told, even if you feel fine sooner.

Recovery and Follow-Up

Keep your follow-up appointmentThis is often when stitches come out, healing is checked, and problems are caught early.
Ease back into normal activity graduallyFollowing any lifting or exercise restrictions you were given.
Call the office with questions rather than guessingA quick call is cheaper and safer than waiting out something that needed attention.

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Built only from the steps above — nothing new gets invented.

Sources & upkeep

asahq.org
- American Society of Anesthesiologists
cdc.gov
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
medlineplus.gov
- MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine)

All 3 sources are re-checked weekly. When one changes a fact this checklist asserts, the step is edited and the change is logged — the revision history is public.

Different situation? — it only selects from the steps above; nothing new is written.

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