A well-prepared patient heals faster, has fewer complications, and feels less anxiety. This guide gives a 30-day countdown timeline with specific actions for each week. Print and pin to your fridge.
30 days before — foundational preparation
Medical steps
- Confirm surgery date: Hospital and anaesthesia appointments locked.
- List all medications: Prescription and OTC. Aspirin, ibuprofen, and other NSAIDs must stop at least 14 days before (confirm with surgeon).
- Herbal products: High-dose garlic, ginkgo, fish oil, vitamin E, ginseng, St John's wort, turmeric, omega-3 supplements stop 2-3 weeks prior — they increase bleeding risk.
- Smoking/Vape: Stop strictly 4 weeks before. Nicotine reduces blood flow, slows healing, raises tissue death risk.
- Alcohol: If you drink regularly, stop 2 weeks before. Liver function, bleeding, anaesthesia interaction.
Physical preparation
- Nutrition: Increase protein to 1g/kg body weight daily. Eggs, fish, chicken, legumes, dairy.
- Hydration: 2-2.5 L water daily.
- Confirm general health: BP, blood sugar, cholesterol — manage if needed.
- Don't aim for major weight change: Stable weight is critical for final result.
Medical tests (as your surgeon requests)
- Complete blood count
- Coagulation tests (PT, aPTT)
- Liver and kidney function tests
- HBV, HCV, HIV (standard pre-op)
- ECG (40+ years or cardiac history)
- Chest X-ray (when indicated)
- Mammogram (40+ or family history)
21 days before — shopping and organization
Home shopping list
| Category | Item | Quantity |
|---|
| Clothing | Front-opening shirts, jackets, cardigans | 5-7 |
| Clothing | Loose pyjamas / sweatpants | 3-4 |
| Clothing | Front-zip surgical bra or sports bra (if surgeon recommends) | 2-3 |
| Bed | Wedge pillow (triangular, back-supporting) | 1 |
| Bed | Travel/U-shaped neck pillow | 1 |
| Bath | Wet wipes, fragrance-free cleansing spray | 2-3 packs |
| Bath | Antibacterial soap (Hibiclens, chlorhexidine) | 1 bottle |
| Food | Easy-to-eat — soup, vegetables, eggs, yoghurt, fruit | 5-7 days' worth |
| Health | Digital thermometer (fever monitoring) | 1 |
| Health | Ice packs (gel or frozen vegetables) | 2-3 |
| Health | Mild laxative (for analgesic-related constipation) | 1 |
| Entertainment | Books, tablet, show list, charging cables | — |
Social organization
- Time off work: 7-10 days for desk job, 3-4 weeks for physical work. Coordinate with HR.
- Childcare: If you have a 2-7 year old, arrange help for first 2 weeks (no lifting).
- Household chores: Vacuuming, laundry, grocery bags — you won't be doing these for first 4 weeks. Plan accordingly.
- Companion: Surgery day and first 24-48 hours need companion. Preferably family or close friend.
14 days before — final actions
- NSAID cutoff: Final cutoff for ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen. Only paracetamol (Tylenol) usable.
- Family history check: Grandmother, mother, sister — breast cancer history? Inform surgeon (may affect mammogram).
- Fill prescriptions: Antibiotic, painkiller, stomach protector — pick up before surgery and put in your medicine cabinet.
- Transport plan: How will you get to hospital? Who'll bring you home? (No public transport)
- Hair colour, manicure: Do these 1 week before. Can't be done at surgery; later 4-6 weeks difficult.
7 days before — final checks
- Final consultation: 3D simulation approval, implant cc/profile/brand final confirmation, written consent.
- Write your questions: List all questions to bring — your brain may not work well on surgery day.
- Hospital bag: Pack your bag now. Contents:
- ID, insurance documents
- Written medication list card
- Phone + charger + earphones
- Front-opening shirt/sweatpants, slippers (for going home)
- Toothbrush, deodorant (unscented)
- Book, music
- Inflatable pillow (for transfer)
- Food prep: First 5-7 days' meals frozen and ready. Soups, pasta, yoghurt mixes.
- Home cleaning: Final clean before surgery. Clean laundry, fresh sheets.
3 days before — final preparation
- Keep bowels soft: Fibrous foods, prunes, papaya. Constipation is common post-op.
- Light exercise: Walking and breathing exercises OK; no heavy training, no new exercise.
- Reduce caffeine: Coffee, tea, energy drinks — halve before surgery (prevents post-anaesthesia headache).
- Focus on water: Hydrate skin and tissues.
- Mental prep: Meditation, deep breathing, podcasts — reduces anxiety.
1 day before (the day before surgery)
- Hibiclens shower: If your surgeon advises, shower with antibacterial soap evening before.
- Food/drink cutoff: NPO (Nil Per Os = nothing by mouth) after midnight. No water, tea, coffee, even gum. Breaking this rule can cancel surgery.
- Medication intake: Only the morning meds your surgeon allows, with one sip of water.
- Sleep early: Bed by 10 PM — be rested for tomorrow.
Surgery day — final steps
- Hygiene: Antibacterial soap shower; wash hair (won't be able to for 3-4 days).
- Skin: NO cream, lotion, makeup, perfume, deodorant.
- Nails: Polish off, acrylic nails removed (for oxygen monitor).
- Jewellery: No jewellery — rings, earrings, necklaces, piercings included.
- Clothing: Front-opening loose shirt, sweatpants, slip-on shoes.
- Hospital arrival: 30 minutes early. Time for paperwork.
- With you: ID, insurance docs, companion.
Mental preparation checklist
- Realistic expectation: "Perfect result not immediate. Final look at 6-12 months. Recovery may be hard."
- Mild anxiety is normal: Everyone gets pre-surgery jitters. Severe panic? Tell your surgeon.
- Questioning your decision is also normal: "Am I doing the right thing?" — you can ask until last minute, can withdraw.
- Stay off social media: Others' "perfect" results may pressure you. Mute.
- Trust the surgeon: Your surgeon is on your side. Don't hesitate to ask questions.
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