Preparing for surgery: a practical checklist

A joint replacement goes more smoothly, and heals faster, when the rest of you is in reasonable shape going in. That doesn't mean you need to be an athlete — it means paying attention to a handful of things that genuinely move the needle on outcomes.

• Blood sugar control. If you have diabetes, well-controlled blood sugar in the weeks before surgery lowers the risk of wound problems and infection.
• Smoking. Stopping smoking, even a few weeks before surgery, measurably improves wound healing and reduces complication rates.
• Weight. Where realistic, even modest weight loss reduces stress on the new joint and can lower surgical risk. Your surgical team can advise on whether this applies to you.
• Dental and skin checks. Any active infection — a bad tooth, a skin sore — needs to be sorted before surgery, since infection anywhere in the body can seed the new joint.

Some common medications need to be paused before surgery because they increase bleeding risk. Blood thinners, some anti-inflammatory medications, and certain supplements (fish oil, high-dose vitamin E) are typical examples. The exact list and timing depends on your medical history, so this is always confirmed directly with your surgical team or pre-admission clinic — don't stop anything on your own without checking first.

Strengthening the muscles around the hip or knee before surgery — often called "prehab" — is one of the more underrated parts of preparation. A stronger quadriceps or hip abductor going in tends to translate into an easier first few weeks coming out, simply because there's more muscle available to support the joint while it heals. Your surgeon or a physiotherapist can give you a short, specific program; it doesn't need to be complicated.

The easiest time to childproof your recovery is before surgery, when you can still move around freely. A few changes make a real difference in the first two weeks:

• Clear walkways of loose rugs, cords, and clutter.
• Move frequently used items to waist height so you're not reaching up or bending down.
• Set up a "recovery station" — a chair with good arm support, a side table, your phone charger, and anything else you'll want within reach.
• If stairs are unavoidable, plan which floor you'll sleep and eat on for the first week or two.
• Arrange a ride home and someone to help for the first few days — most patients shouldn't drive right away, and having help on hand reduces the temptation to overdo it.

A raised toilet seat, a shower chair, and a grabber tool are inexpensive and genuinely useful for most patients in the first couple of weeks.

Loose, comfortable clothing that's easy to get on and off over a bandaged joint, supportive flat shoes, your regular medications list, and any paperwork your clinic has asked for. Leave jewellery and valuables at home.

It's normal to feel some anxiety in the days before surgery, even when you've been looking forward to it. Knowing roughly what to expect helps — our article on what happens at your first consultation and a realistic recovery timeline are both useful reading beforehand, so surgery day and the weeks after feel familiar rather than uncertain.

Good preparation isn't about doing something dramatic — it's a series of small, sensible steps: get your health optimised, understand your medications, do a little targeted exercise, and set your home up in advance. Patients who go into surgery this way consistently describe an easier first few weeks.