Pre-surgery appointments can feel overwhelming. During these appointments, you’ll probably have to fill out forms, learn instructions you’ll need to follow and understand new information. With all that, you may accidentally leave out important details that could affect your care.
With a little preparation, you can help your surgical team plan safely and avoid delays, all while helping yourself feel more confident going into your procedure.
Why small details matter before surgery
“Surgery stresses your body. Medications and anesthesia can impact how your heart and lungs work and affect your bleeding,” said Bradford Keeler, MD, a general surgeon with Banner Health. Even small details can change how your primary care team or surgical specialists prepare for your procedure. When you give providers complete information, it helps reduce risk and prevent last-minute changes to your care plan.
Bring a complete medication and supplement list
Your care team needs to know everything you take, including prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications, as well as all vitamins, supplements and/or herbs.
Prescription medications
Share the medications and dosages of prescriptions, including:
- Blood thinners
- Heart or blood pressure medications
- Diabetes medications
- Steroids
- Weight loss injections
- Antianxiety medications or antidepressants
- Cholesterol-lowering medications
- IUDs and other hormonal birth control
Over-the-counter medications
Tell your care team about OTC medications you take, like:
- Pain relievers
- Cold or flu medications
- Allergy treatments
- Sleep aids
- Heartburn medication
Vitamins and herbal supplements
“Remember to share all vitamins and supplements you take, even if you think it might not matter. Some supplements can increase bleeding or interact with anesthesia,” Dr. Keeler said.
You might take vitamins and supplements like:
- Multivitamins
- Calcium
- Vitamin D
- Magnesium
- Fish oil
- Garlic
- Ginkgo
- Ginseng
- St. John’s wort
Allergies and past reactions
Sharing your allergy history is critical for your safety. Your team needs to know the medications or materials that could cause an allergic reaction.
Medication reactions
Even mild reactions matter, so tell your team if you’ve ever had a reaction to a medication such as:
- Rash
- Nausea
- Itching
- Dizziness
Latex or adhesive sensitivities
If you’re sensitive to these substances, your team may need to use alternatives for:
- Surgical gloves
- Tape
- Dressings
Symptoms you might not think are related
Some symptoms might seem like they wouldn’t affect your surgery. But they can be signs of underlying risks your team should know about.
Breathing and sleep issues
These could be signs of conditions like sleep apnea and could affect how you handle anesthesia:
- Loud snoring
- Shortness of breath
- Daytime fatigue
Heart symptoms
Let your team know if you've had these problems, which could mean they need to take a closer look at your heart before your procedure.
- Chest discomfort
- Palpitations
- Fainting
- Dizziness
Bleeding or clotting history
Your team will need to know what to expect in terms of bleeding during your surgery, so tell them about:
- Easy bruising
- Frequent nosebleeds
- Past blood clots
- Family history of bleeding disorders
Recent illnesses and why timing matters
If you’ve been sick recently, it may be safer to delay your surgery. Tell your team about:
- Any recent fevers
- Cough or respiratory infection
- Stomach illness
- COVID-19 or flu
- Starting any new antibiotics
When to speak up again before surgery
It’s possible for things to change between your pre-surgery appointment and your surgery date. Contact your team about:
- New symptoms after your pre-op visit
- Changes in your medications
- New supplements you’re starting
- Any symptoms of illness
How your care team uses this information
Your surgery team builds your personalized safety plan with this information. It helps them:
- Adjust your medications safely
- Reduce your bleeding risk
- Plan anesthesia
- Prevent complications after surgery
- Avoid last-minute cancellations or delays
A simple pre-surgery checklist
Before your appointment, make sure you:
- Bring a written list of all medications and supplements, including dosages and how often you take them
- List any allergies or past reactions
- Share recent illnesses or symptoms
- Write down questions you want to ask
- Ask your care team: “Is there anything else I should mention?”
The bottom line
Preparing for your pre-surgery appointment doesn’t have to be overwhelming. When you bring complete and accurate information, it helps your care team keep you safe and helps your surgery day go as smoothly as possible.
When you're preparing for surgery, Banner Health teams can guide you every step of the way. Find a Banner Health provider to get the care you need.
FAQs about pre-operative appointments
Do I need to list vitamins and supplements?
Yes. Some can affect bleeding or interact with anesthesia.
What if I forget to mention something?
Contact your care team as soon as possible before surgery.
Can surgery be delayed because of a cold or illness?
Yes, sometimes it’s safer to wait until you recover.
Why does my care team ask so many questions?
To make sure your surgery is as safe as possible.
