Key Takeaways
- Pack light for surgery day. Bring only essentials like identification, insurance cards, comfortable loose clothing, and any required medical documents.
- Leave valuables, jewelry, makeup, and contact lenses at home to simplify your pre-operative process and reduce loss risk.
- Bring a trusted companion who can advocate for you, take notes during post-operative instructions, and drive you home safely after the procedure.
- Plan your arrival time with extra buffer room for check-in procedures, paperwork, and pre-operative preparation without added stress.
- The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction guides patients through every step of the surgical experience with clear preparation instructions and compassionate care. Schedule a consultation to discuss your reconstruction options and receive personalized guidance for your surgery day.
Your Surgery Day Game Plan & Packing List
The day of your breast reconstruction surgery represents a significant milestone in your journey. Whether you're pursuing DIEP flap reconstruction, GAP flap, or PAP flap surgery, knowing exactly what to bring (and what to leave home) makes the experience smoother for everyone involved. With proper planning, you can walk into the surgical center feeling prepared and focused on your healing journey ahead.
The Essential Packing List
When it comes to packing for surgery, simplicity is key. You'll want to bring only what you truly need, leaving room for comfort without unnecessary complications.
Documents and Identification
Bring your driver's license or photo ID, insurance cards, and any pre-operative paperwork provided by The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction. It's helpful to have a list of current medications, allergies, and emergency contacts, even if you've provided this information previously. Keeping everything in one easily accessible folder or envelope helps streamline the check-in process.
Clothing Essentials
Choose clothing that's loose-fitting and doesn't require lifting your arms overhead. Button-down shirts or zip-up hoodies are ideal because they're easy to put on after surgery. Many patients find that oversized shirts are the most comfortable option.
For bottoms, elastic waistbands are your friend. Yoga pants, loose sweatpants, or comfortable pajama bottoms work well. Wear slip-on shoes that don't require bending down to tie laces.
Personal Comfort Items
While you'll spend most of your surgery time under anesthesia, you may appreciate having a few comfort items for the waiting period and recovery room. A phone charger is essential for staying connected with loved ones. Some patients bring lip balm, as hospital air can be drying, and a small pillow for the car ride home can provide extra comfort.
If you wear glasses, bring them along with their case. You'll need to remove contact lenses before surgery, so it's best to wear your glasses on surgery day.
What to Leave at Home
Understanding what not to bring is just as important as knowing what to pack.
Valuables and Jewelry
Leave all jewelry, including wedding rings, at home. Most facilities require removing all jewelry before surgery, and keeping these items safe at home eliminates any worry about loss. The same applies to other valuables; expensive watches, designer bags, or anything you'd be concerned about losing should stay home.
Makeup and Beauty Products
You'll need a clean face for surgery, so there's no need to apply makeup before arriving. Your surgical team needs clear access to your skin, and removing makeup adds an unnecessary step to your pre-operative preparation.
Unnecessary Extras
While it might be tempting to bring entertainment options like tablets or magazines, remember you'll be in surgery for several hours and then recovering. Your companion can hold onto your phone and one or two small items, but extensive entertainment systems aren't necessary for surgery day.
Planning Your Arrival
Proper timing helps ensure a calm, organized start to your surgery day.
Know Your Schedule
The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction will provide specific arrival instructions, typically asking you to arrive 1-2 hours before your scheduled surgery time. This allows adequate time for check-in, changing into surgical attire, meeting with your care team, and completing pre-operative preparations. If you're traveling from out of state, factor in potential traffic, parking time, and finding the correct entrance.
Plan Your Route
If you're not familiar with the surgical facility, consider doing a practice run beforehand. Knowing exactly where you're going, where to park, and which entrance to use eliminates unnecessary stress on surgery day. The practice's blog offers helpful guidance for patients traveling to South Carolina, including local navigation tips.
Arrange Transportation
You'll need a responsible adult to drive you to and from the surgical center. Anesthesia impairs judgment and reaction time for 24 hours, making it unsafe to drive. Choose someone who can also help advocate for you and remember post-operative instructions when you're still groggy from anesthesia.
Preparing Your Companion
Your surgery-day companion plays an important role in your care and support.
Their Essential Checklist
Your companion should bring their own phone charger, something to keep them occupied during your surgery (book, tablet, work laptop), snacks and water for what may be a long day, and comfortable clothes. They should also be prepared to take detailed notes during post-operative instructions. When you're recovering from anesthesia, having someone capture all the important care information is invaluable.
Pre-Operative Briefing
Before surgery day, discuss your expectations and any specific concerns with your companion. Share questions they should ask on your behalf and review post-operative care responsibilities, including how they'll help you at home during the first 24-48 hours. Clear communication ensures you both feel prepared.
Communication Plan
Establish a plan for updating family and friends. Decide who will send updates during and after surgery, what information you're comfortable sharing, and how often updates should go out. This allows your companion to focus on supporting you while keeping loved ones informed.
The Morning of Surgery
Surgery day morning requires following specific guidelines to ensure your safety.
Follow Fasting Instructions
Your surgeon will provide specific instructions about when to stop eating and drinking before surgery. This is a critical safety measure. Typically, you'll need to stop eating solid foods 8 hours before surgery and follow your physician's instructions regarding when to stop drinking liquids. Follow these instructions precisely.
Morning Hygiene
Take a shower using the antibacterial soap provided by your surgical team if applicable. Don't apply any lotions, deodorants, powders, or perfumes afterward, as these can interfere with surgical equipment and monitoring devices.
Dress Comfortably
Put on those loose, comfortable clothes you packed. You won't need a bra, and you won't want to manage one after surgery. Layer clothing if needed, as temperatures can vary, but remember all clothing will need to be removed before surgery.
At the Surgical Center
Once you've arrived and checked in, you'll go through several pre-operative steps.
Pre-Operative Procedures
You'll meet with various team members before surgery, including your nurse, anesthesiologist, and surgeon. This is your opportunity to ask any final questions. They'll review your medical history, confirm the surgical plan, mark the surgical sites, and start your IV. The anesthesiologist will explain what to expect from anesthesia and address any concerns you may have.
Final Moments
Before heading to the operating room, you'll have a moment with your companion. Take this time to express any last thoughts or concerns, and know that you're in experienced, capable hands.
What to Expect Immediately After
When you wake up in the recovery room, you'll likely feel groggy and thirsty. This is completely normal. Your nurse will monitor your vital signs, manage your pain, and assess your readiness to go home or move to a room if you're staying at the facility.
Your companion will receive detailed instructions about post-operative care, including drain management, medication schedules, activity restrictions, and warning signs that require medical attention. The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction's What to Expect page provides comprehensive information about the recovery process.
Begin Your Reconstruction Journey Prepared
Knowing what to pack and how to prepare for surgery day helps you approach this milestone with confidence. With proper planning and the right support, you can focus on your healing and recovery rather than logistics and last-minute concerns.
The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction specializes in advanced breast reconstruction techniques, providing expert, compassionate care tailored to each patient's unique needs. Ready to discuss your reconstruction options and receive personalized surgery-day guidance? Schedule a consultation with our team today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I take to the hospital for breast reconstruction surgery?
Bring essential documents (ID, insurance cards, pre-operative paperwork), loose button-down clothing, slip-on shoes, glasses if needed, phone charger, and any prescribed medications. Leave valuables, jewelry, makeup, and contact lenses at home. Your companion should also bring items to keep them comfortable during the wait.
Can I wear deodorant on the day of breast reconstruction surgery?
No, you should not wear deodorant, lotions, perfumes, or any other personal care products on surgery day. These products can interfere with surgical monitoring equipment and sterile procedures. Follow your surgeon's specific hygiene instructions, which may include using special antibacterial soap the morning of surgery.
How early should I arrive for breast reconstruction surgery?
Typically, patients are asked to arrive 1-2 hours before their scheduled surgery time. This allows adequate time for check-in procedures, changing into surgical attire, meeting with your care team, and completing pre-operative preparations. The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction will provide specific arrival instructions based on your scheduled surgery time.
What questions should my companion ask after my breast reconstruction surgery?
Your companion should ask about pain management schedules, drain care instructions, activity restrictions, warning signs requiring medical attention, when to schedule follow-up appointments, and who to contact with concerns. Encourage them to take detailed notes or request written instructions to reference during your recovery at home.
Can I eat breakfast before breast reconstruction surgery?
No, you'll need to follow specific fasting instructions provided by your surgeon. Typically, this means no solid foods for 8 hours before surgery and clear liquids as directed by your surgeon’s office the morning of surgery. Following these guidelines precisely is critical for your safety during anesthesia. Never assume exceptions are acceptable; always follow your surgeon's exact instructions.
