Preparing for Surgery

Prior to surgery, you should consult with your doctor on the best ways to prepare yourself physically for back surgery and also the best ways to prepare your home so you can be as comfortable as possible during recovery.

Woman walking down the hall with nurse, close-up

Preparing for Surgery: Your Comprehensive Guide

One of the best preparations for surgery is educating yourself about all aspects of the process, including best practices prior to surgery, the exact details of the day of the surgery, and the expected recovery time. You should also find out about the degree of pain that you will experience and various ways of managing this and improving your recovery time. At Hunt Spine, we will ensure you receive all the necessary information to make your journey as smooth and comfortable as possible.

Prepare Yourself Physically

Some things to discuss with your doctor to prepare yourself physically for surgery are:

Not taking over-the-counter medications, NSAIDs, herbal remedies, or any other drugs or supplements that could interfere with anesthetics, medications, or surgery.
Not smoking.
A weight reduction program when necessary.
An exercise program so your body is in good condition to repair itself.
Scheduling a physical from your primary care physician.

At Hunt Spine, our office will also give you specific instructions regarding restrictions on eating and drinking the evening prior to surgery. Normally patients are required to stop eating or drinking at midnight the evening prior to the surgery. Surgery start time may be altered due to the following factors:

The nature and/or complexity of the other surgical cases of the day
Insurance approval
Primary treating physician’s medical clearance
Emergency surgery

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to the most frequently asked questions about spine surgery, including what to expect and who the best candidates for back surgery are.

Learn More

Prepare Your Home & Schedule

To prepare your home and schedule for a more comfortable recovery, you should:

Pack lightly with only the essentials and leave valuables at home.
Arrange for help with the care of your children, other family members, and any pets.
Make sure you have comfortable transportation home, ideally, a sedan that is easy to get in and out of.
Get help with preparing meals, cleaning, and regular household activities.
Place regularly used items in easy-to-reach positions.
Consider getting a toilet riser, a “grabber,” and slip-on shoes, all of which will make maneuvering in your daily activities easier.
Modify your work schedule to accommodate recovery time. You will need 8 to 12 weeks to recover before returning to work but may be able to return sooner, depending on your rate of recovery.

At any point before your procedure, the doctors and staff at Hunt Spine are a resource. If you have any questions or concerns that arise along the way, we will help in any way we can to ensure your experience is smooth, comfortable, and effective. Just give our office a call.

Recovery

Learn what you can and cannot do while you are recovering. Read our Post Operative Patient Guidelines.

Post-Operative Patient Guidelines