The Patient's Guide to Preparing for Surgery: Strategies for a Faster Recovery

Chad Greene
Feb 9
2 min read

Updated: Feb 19

Introduction

Preparing for surgery can feel overwhelming, but taking the right steps beforehand can significantly improve your outcomes. At Anestico, we believe that personalized perioperative solutions—including targeted nutrition, hydration, and data-driven strategies—can enhance surgical readiness, optimize anesthesia response, and accelerate recovery.

This guide outlines science-backed strategies to help you prepare for surgery and heal faster.

1. Optimize Nutrition for Surgery

Your nutritional status plays a crucial role in how well your body handles anesthesia and recovers post-surgery.

✅ What to Include:

✔ Increase Protein Intake – Supports tissue repair and muscle preservation.

✔ Collagen + Vitamin C – Enhances wound healing and reduces inflammation.

✔ Preoperative Carbohydrate Loading – Reduces insulin resistance and improves metabolic stability.

✔ Omega-3 Fatty Acids – Helps control inflammation and supports cardiovascular stability.

❌ What to Avoid:

✖ Processed foods and excessive sugar (can increase inflammation).

✖ Alcohol (can interfere with healing and increase surgical risks).

2. Stay Hydrated for Better Recovery

Dehydration can increase anesthesia-related risks and delay healing. Ensure optimal hydration by:

✔ Drinking electrolyte-rich fluids the day before surgery.

✔ Avoiding excessive caffeine and alcohol, which can dehydrate you.

✔ Considering preoperative hydration supplements to optimize fluid balance and circulation.

3. Personalize Your Anesthesia Plan

Each patient metabolizes anesthesia differently. Pharmacogenetic testing can predict how your body will respond to anesthesia and pain medications, allowing for a customized anesthesia protocol.

If you haven’t had genetic testing, discuss the following with your anesthesiologist:

✔ Your medication history (including past reactions to anesthesia).

✔ Previous anesthesia experiences (any side effects or complications).

✔ Concerns about pain management and post-op recovery.

4. Reduce Stress & Improve Sleep

Your body heals best when stress is low and sleep is optimized.

✔ Practice deep breathing, meditation, or guided relaxation techniques.

✔ Aim for 7–9 hours of quality sleep in the days leading up to surgery.

✔ Consider melatonin or magnesium to support sleep quality and relaxation.

✔ Track Heart Rate Variability (HRV) with wearable devices to monitor recovery readiness.

5. Plan Ahead for a Smoother Recovery

Your recovery starts before surgery. Set yourself up for success by:

✔ Stocking up on recovery-focused supplements (collagen, omega-3s, curcumin).

✔ Preparing nutrient-dense meals to support healing in the first few post-op days.

✔ Arranging support from family or friends for transportation and post-op care.

✔ Using wearable tech (CGMs, HRV monitors, sleep trackers) to track your body's recovery.

Final Thoughts

By taking a proactive approach, you can significantly improve your surgical experience and recovery. At Anestico, we provide personalized perioperative solutions to help patients optimize their health before, during, and after surgery.

📩 Want a deeper dive? Download our FREE Perioperative Optimization Whitepaper to learn more about the science behind surgical preparation.

📣 Are you a physician or healthcare provider? Contact us to explore how personalized perioperative solutions can improve patient outcomes.