What You Need to Know about Surgery

No matter what kind of surgery you are having, it is common to feel concerned, anxious, scared, nervous or stressed about it. This section can help ease your mind by informing you about what you need to know before and after surgery.

Certain types of surgeries

You may find this additional information helpful if you are having...

• Cesarean birth (C-section)
• Heart transplant
• Coronary artery bypass heart surgery
• Hysterectomy
• Kidney transplant
• Hip replacement
• Knee replacement
• Weight loss (bariatric) surgery

Videos

How to use canes, crutches and walkers after surgery

After surgery, you will likely need to use equipment to help your recovery or an assistive device to help you move.

This 12-minute video shows how to safely walk, use stairs and stand with a cane, crutch or walker.

Pain management

These four videos review pain expectations, rating your pain, pain treatment options and home pain management.

Watch all four modules. 

Regional anesthesia for post-operative pain control

This 24-minute video explains what a peripheral nerve block is and how you can use it to control pain in the hospital and after you return home.

Watch the full video or in two- to three-minute segments.