Preparing for planned surgery
The organisational side of surgery: questions for the doctor, tests, bag and documents, home and food, work, children and who takes you home.

[ ] Write a list of questions for the doctor in advance
    Timings, length of stay, restrictions, recovery at home. Half the questions vanish in the room — arrive with a list.
[ ] Complete the prescribed tests and scans in time
    Some results expire, and an out-of-date test postpones the operation. Check the validity periods and book early.
[ ] Discuss your regular medication with the doctor
    Bring a complete list of everything you take, including supplements. Only the doctor decides what to stop or continue.
[ ] Write down the preparation instructions and repeat them back
    When to stop eating and drinking, hygiene, what not to wear. Repeat it back and write it down — do not rely on memory that day.
[ ] Put the documents in one folder
    ID, insurance, referrals, test results, previous reports. Plus a paper list of allergies and medication.
[ ] Pack the hospital bag a few days ahead
    Comfortable clothes, slippers, toiletries, a charger with a long cable, water, a book or headphones. Check what this hospital allows.
[ ] Leave valuables and extras at home
    Jewellery, large amounts of cash, spare devices. Nobody is responsible for them there and you will not have the attention to watch them.
[ ] Arrange who will take you home
    You cannot drive after anaesthesia, and travelling home alone on public transport is often a bad idea too. Arrange it in advance, with a backup.
[ ] Arrange who will be reachable in the first days
    Especially if you live alone. Give them keys, the doctor's contact and a clear idea of how they can help.
[ ] Get the home ready for your return
    Clean bedding, food for the first days, water and everything you need within arm's reach rather than on a top shelf.
[ ] Cook or order food for the first days
    Cooking after you get back is the last thing you will want to do. Freeze something in advance or arrange deliveries.
[ ] Arrange cover for children and pets
    Who collects from school, who feeds and walks, who has keys. Agree with a margin of days — discharge can be postponed.
[ ] Inform work and hand over in writing
    Task status, access, who to contact. Check how sick leave is arranged where you are: the rules differ.
[ ] Close off urgent household matters
    Pay bills, renew prescriptions, postpone appointments. Anything that could demand attention in the first days.
[ ] Write allergies, conditions and contacts on paper
    A phone is not always to hand in hospital and can run flat. A paper note with your documents always works.
[ ] Ask about recovery and write down the limits
    What you can and cannot do after discharge, when the follow-up is, and which signs mean contacting them sooner. All from your doctor.
[ ] Plan a calm day before
    An early night, a packed bag, an alarm set, extra time for the journey. Less rush in the evening means less anxiety in the morning.

Checklist from Unload: https://unloads.me/c/surgery-prep