Tips for getting ready for your surgery

Make plans in advance to take care of the following tasks after your surgery.

• Find someone who can stay with you for 24 hours after you return home.
• Have sanitary pads available (mini-pads usually work).
• Arrange transportation to the grocery store, if needed, and doctor appointments. You will not be able to drive for three days to two weeks after your surgery. This will depend on if you are still taking prescription pain medicine.
• Plan simple meals and go grocery shopping. Buy comforting beverages, such as ginger ale, 7 Up^®, fruit and vegetable juices, broths, tea and milk.
• Prepare and freeze a few meals before your surgery.
• Find someone to help care for your pet, if needed.
• Find someone to do your yard work, gardening, lawn mowing, shoveling and heavy housework.