8 Things Surgeons Want Patients to Know Before a Surgery – Being told that you need surgery can trigger a strange mix of fear and relief. You finally know what is wrong—but now you have a hundred new questions.

Do I really need the operation?
Is there another option?
What should I tell the surgeon?
Can I take my regular medicines?
When should I stop eating?
How painful will recovery be?
And perhaps the biggest question: What if something goes wrong?

Surgeons say that preparation for an operation does not begin when the patient is wheeled into the operating theatre. It begins much earlier—with understanding the procedure, disclosing medical history, preparing the body, following instructions and knowing what recovery will involve.

For HealthViews’ “What Doctors Want Patients to Know” series, here are eight things surgeons and surgical specialists have highlighted in published interviews and reports.

Important: This article is for general health education. Surgical preparation varies according to the procedure, anaesthesia, age and medical condition. Always follow the specific instructions given by your surgeon and anaesthetist.

1. Before you agree to surgery, understand exactly why you need it

The first question should not be:

“When is the operation?”

It should be:

“Why do I need this operation?”

Senior general and laparoscopic surgeon Dr Pushkar Anand Singh, in an interview with Hindustan Times, advised patients to openly discuss the indication for surgery, expected recovery and possible postoperative complications with their surgeon. He specifically encouraged patients to prepare questions rather than hesitate to ask them. (Hindustan Times)

This matters because surgery is not simply another diagnostic test. It can involve anaesthesia, recovery time, temporary restrictions and potential complications.

Before consenting, patients should understand:

• What condition is being treated?
• Why is surgery being recommended?
• Is it urgent or can it safely be planned?
• Are there non-surgical treatment options?
• What happens if surgery is delayed?
• What type of procedure is being proposed?
• What is the expected recovery period?

For elective surgery, there is generally time to have these conversations.

What surgeons want you to know

You are allowed to ask questions before signing the consent form.

In fact, asking questions is part of making an informed decision.

2. Your surgeon needs to know your complete medical history—even the things you think are unrelated

Patients sometimes tell the surgeon only about the problem for which they are being operated.

For example:

“I’m here for gallbladder surgery, so why do I need to mention my blood pressure?”

Because the body does not treat surgery as an isolated event.

Dr Pushkar Anand Singh specifically advises patients to disclose conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and thyroid disorders, along with allergies, previous surgeries and current medications. (Hindustan Times)

Anaesthesiologists emphasize the same point.

In a Times of India report on pre-anaesthetic evaluation, Dr Gauri Arora, anaesthesiologist and president of the Indian Society of Anaesthesiologists, Nagpur, said patients should provide complete and accurate information about existing conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes and heart problems.

She also highlighted the importance of telling doctors about allergies and previous episodes of conditions such as jaundice, breathlessness, chest pain, seizures or loss of consciousness. (The Times of India)

Even information that seems embarrassing or insignificant can matter.

Tell the medical team about:

• Previous reactions to anaesthesia
• Allergies
• Heart disease
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Kidney or liver disease
• Sleep-related breathing problems
• Previous operations
• Smoking or tobacco use
• Alcohol consumption
• All prescription medicines
• Over-the-counter medicines
• Vitamins and supplements

What surgeons want you to know

Don’t decide what is medically relevant. Tell the doctor everything and let the medical team decide what matters.

3. The anaesthetist is not “just the doctor who puts you to sleep”

Many patients focus entirely on the surgeon and barely think about the anaesthesia team.

But anaesthesia is a major part of surgical safety.

Before surgery, the anaesthesia team evaluates factors such as your medical history, medications, allergies, previous anaesthetic experiences and the condition of important organs.

Dr Gauri Arora told The Times of India that a pre-anaesthetic check-up allows the team to plan the safest anaesthetic approach based on the patient’s individual health status. (The Times of India)

Dr Umesh Ramtani, president-elect of the Indian Society of Anaesthesiologists, Nagpur, also stressed the importance of telling doctors about previous experiences with anaesthesia because knowing how a patient reacted previously can help inform the strategy for a future operation. (The Times of India)

That means the pre-anaesthetic consultation is not a formality.

It is part of the preparation for surgery.

What surgeons want you to know

Don’t rush through the anaesthesia assessment.

If you have had a previous operation, remember what happened afterward. Did you have severe nausea? Difficulty breathing? An allergic reaction? Were you unusually difficult to wake?

Tell the anaesthetist.

Also Read: Brain Tumor Surgery: Risks, Recovery, and Outcomes

4. Never stop or continue medicines on your own before surgery

This is one of the most important practical points.

Patients sometimes think:

“I have surgery tomorrow, so I’ll stop all my medicines.”

That’s not necessarily safe.

Other patients continue taking everything because they assume their usual medicines are harmless.

Neither approach should be taken without medical advice.

In the Times of India report, Dr Dilip Washik, secretary of the Indian Society of Anaesthesiologists, Nagpur, explained that some medications need to be continued while others—including certain blood thinners—may need to be stopped before surgery under medical guidance. He emphasized that patients should discuss all medications with their doctors. (The Times of India)

This includes medicines for:

• Diabetes
• Blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Blood clot prevention
• Thyroid disorders
• Mental health conditions
• Pain
• Hormonal conditions

It also includes supplements and herbal products.

The exact instructions depend on the operation and the individual patient.

What surgeons want you to know

Never make medication changes simply because surgery is coming up.

Ask:

“Which medicines should I take on the day of surgery, which should I stop, and exactly when should I stop them?”

5. Follow fasting instructions exactly—but don’t invent your own fasting schedule

“Nothing to eat or drink after midnight.”

Many patients have heard this sentence before surgery.

But fasting instructions can vary depending on the operation, anaesthesia and individual circumstances.

The important point is to follow the instructions provided by your medical team rather than relying on advice from relatives or the internet.

Dr Pushkar Anand Singh has emphasized following the surgeon’s or anaesthetist’s pre-operative instructions, including fasting and medication adjustments. (Hindustan Times)

Research from India has also highlighted that fasting practices can vary and that anaesthesiologists and surgeons need to follow evidence-based guidelines rather than automatically keeping every patient fasting for unnecessarily long periods. (PubMed Central (PMC))

So if your hospital gives you a specific instruction about when to stop food or clear liquids, follow that instruction.

And if you accidentally eat or drink after the instructed cut-off time?

Don’t hide it.

Tell the hospital team.

What surgeons want you to know

Fasting is a safety instruction, not a suggestion.

But the exact fasting period should come from your medical team.

Also Read: Say No to Tobacco: Top 10 Reasons to Quit Smoking – Part 2

6. Smoking before surgery is not “just one more bad habit”

If you smoke, surgery is an important time to take quitting seriously.

Smoking can affect the lungs, circulation and healing process, and surgical teams may specifically advise patients to stop before an operation.

Dr Pushkar Anand Singh explicitly included smoking cessation among his pre-operative recommendations. (Hindustan Times)

The importance of preparing the body before surgery was also highlighted by Dr Eric M. Pauli, a US surgeon specializing in complex hernia surgery, during a workshop in Pune.

According to The Times of India, Pauli discussed “prehabilitation”—optimizing a patient’s health before surgery—and highlighted smoking cessation and blood-sugar control as part of this approach. (The Times of India)

This reflects a broader idea in modern surgery:

The healthier you are going into an operation, the better prepared you may be for the stress of surgery and recovery.

Depending on the procedure and your medical condition, your doctor may also advise improving nutrition, controlling blood sugar, increasing physical activity where appropriate or addressing other health problems before elective surgery.

What surgeons want you to know

Don’t think of the weeks before surgery as “waiting time.”

They can be preparation time.

7. Ask what recovery will actually look like—not just how the operation will be performed

Patients often spend hours asking about the operation itself:

“How long will it take?”
“Is it laparoscopic?”
“Will there be stitches?”
“Will I be awake?”

But one of the most important questions comes afterward:

“What happens when the surgery is over?”

Dr Pushkar Anand Singh advises patients to discuss expected recovery time and possible postoperative discomfort or complications before surgery. (Hindustan Times)

For some operations, recovery may mean walking the same day.

For others, it may involve several days in hospital and weeks of gradual rehabilitation.

Depending on the procedure, patients may need:

• Physiotherapy
• Wound care
• Dietary changes
• Temporary restrictions on driving
• Restrictions on lifting weights
• Pain management
• Follow-up appointments
• Medication changes
• Help at home

Orthopaedic surgeon Dr Yash Gulati, for example, has explained that recovery after knee replacement depends significantly on the condition of the muscles around the knee and that physiotherapy plays an important role after surgery. (The Times of India)

What surgeons want you to know

Plan for recovery before the operation—not after you come home.

Ask your surgeon:

“When can I walk?”
“When can I drive?”
“When can I return to work?”
“When can I exercise?”
“Will I need someone at home?”

These answers can completely change how you plan the first few weeks after surgery.

Also Read: Dr. Rohan Khandelwal: A Trusted Breast Cancer Surgeon

8. The surgeon’s skill matters—but so does the hospital, anaesthesia team and your own preparation

Patients understandably spend a lot of time researching surgeons.

That’s important.

But a surgical outcome does not depend on one person working alone.

Surgery involves a team that may include:

• Surgeon
• Assistant surgeons
• Anaesthesiologist
• Nurses
• Technicians
• Radiologists
• Pathologists
• Physiotherapists
• ICU specialists
• Other medical specialists

The hospital’s infrastructure also matters.

This becomes especially important in complex procedures.

Dr Eric M. Pauli’s recent comments on complex hernia surgery emphasized specialized approaches and prehabilitation, while the broader surgical team and perioperative care are critical to achieving good outcomes.

And for patients considering specialized procedures, Dr Rajat Gupta, a board-certified plastic surgeon, recently advised patients to ask not only about a surgeon’s qualifications and experience but also where the surgery will be performed, who will provide anaesthesia and what emergency support is available. (The Times of India)

What surgeons want you to know

Don’t ask only:

“Is this a good surgeon?”

Also ask:

“Is this the right surgeon for this particular procedure, and is the surgical facility equipped to safely perform it?”

What Should You Ask Your Surgeon Before Signing the Consent Form?

Before elective surgery, consider asking these questions:

About the operation

1. Why do I need this surgery?

2. Is there a non-surgical alternative?

3. What exactly will you do during the operation?

4. What are the major risks and possible complications?

5. What happens if you find something unexpected during surgery?

About anaesthesia

6. What type of anaesthesia will be used?

7. Do I need a pre-anaesthesia evaluation?

About preparation

8. Which medicines should I continue or stop?

9. When should I stop eating and drinking?

10. Do I need to stop smoking or make any other lifestyle changes?

About recovery

11. How long will I stay in hospital?

12. How much pain should I expect?

13. When can I return to work, drive and exercise?

14. Will I need physiotherapy or help at home?

The HealthViews Takeaway

Surgery may happen in an operating room, but surgical preparation begins long before the operating room.

The safest approach is not to arrive at the hospital with fear and a pile of unanswered questions.

It is to arrive informed.

Know why the operation is being recommended.
Tell your doctors about every important medical condition and medicine.
Complete your pre-anaesthesia assessment.
Follow fasting and medication instructions exactly.
Stop smoking if your medical team advises it.
Understand the risks.
Know what recovery will involve.
And make sure you understand what you are consenting to.

As Dr Pushkar Anand Singh told Hindustan Times, patients should not hesitate to ask questions about the indication for surgery, recovery and possible complications. (Hindustan Times)

Because a good surgical experience isn’t only about what happens during the operation.

It is also about everything that happens before and after it.

Doctors & Expert Sources Referenced: 8 Things Surgeons Want Patients to Know Before Surgery

Dr Pushkar Anand Singh

Senior Consultant – General & Laparoscopic Surgery, Shri Ram Hospital, Noida

Dr Singh spoke to Hindustan Times about what patients should know before surgery, including discussing the indication, recovery, complications, medical history, pre-anaesthesia assessment, fasting, medication adjustments, smoking cessation and preparation for admission.
Hindustan Times — Going for a surgery? Here are 6 things that a surgeon wants you to know

Dr Gauri Arora

Anaesthesiologist & President, Indian Society of Anaesthesiologists, Nagpur

Dr Arora explained the importance of complete and accurate information during the pre-anaesthetic check-up, including existing illnesses, allergies and previous medical problems.
Times of India — Give complete info in pre-anaesthetic test

Dr Dilip Washik

Secretary, Indian Society of Anaesthesiologists, Nagpur

Dr Washik highlighted the importance of discussing medications before surgery because some medicines may need to be continued while others may need to be stopped under medical guidance.
Times of India — Give complete info in pre-anaesthetic test

Dr Umesh Ramtani

President-elect, Indian Society of Anaesthesiologists, Nagpur

Dr Ramtani emphasized telling the anaesthesia team about previous experiences with anaesthesia because these details can help inform the anaesthetic strategy.
Times of India — Give complete info in pre-anaesthetic test

Dr Eric M. Pauli

US Surgeon & Hernia Surgery Specialist

Dr Pauli discussed “prehabilitation” before complex hernia surgery, including smoking cessation and blood-sugar control, during a surgical workshop in Pune.
Times of India — Prehab, ‘small-bite’ techniques and Botox reshaping complex hernia outcomes

Dr Rajat Gupta

Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon, Delhi

Dr Gupta advised patients considering plastic surgery to investigate the surgeon’s qualifications and procedure-specific experience, as well as the surgical facility, anaesthesia team, emergency support and realistic recovery expectations.
Times of India — Questions to ask before choosing a plastic surgeon

Dr Aditya Kelkar

Eye Surgeon & Director, NIO Super Specialty Hospital

Dr Kelkar emphasized that surgical outcomes depend not only on the surgeon’s skill but also on careful pre-operative precautions, including assessment of systemic health and medications.
Hindustan Times — Having eye surgery? Eye surgeon says follow these 5 precautionary steps

Research & Supporting References

Research on informed consent in Indian surgical settings has found that patients need clear information about the procedure, risks, anaesthesia and alternative treatment options. A 2025 study of patients undergoing major abdominal surgery in Northeast India specifically examined whether patients were informed about their diagnosis, surgery, complications, anaesthesia and alternatives. (PubMed Central (PMC))

A study published in Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care similarly described informed consent as a conversation between surgeon and patient that should allow patients and families to make informed decisions. (PubMed)

Research from a tertiary care centre in Navi Mumbai also found that while most patients undergoing elective surgery reported being informed about the nature and indication of surgery, information regarding complications and anaesthesia was less consistently documented in consent forms. (PubMed Central (PMC))

Medical Disclaimer: This article 8 Things Surgeons Want Patients to Know Before Surgery is for general health education and does not replace consultation with a qualified surgeon or anaesthesiologist. Pre-operative tests, fasting periods, medication instructions, smoking recommendations and recovery timelines vary according to the individual patient and type of surgery.

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