Preparing for Surgery: The Things I’d Actually Think About

If you have surgery coming up, chances are you've spent a lot of time thinking about the procedure itself... researching your surgeon, looking at results, thinking about what to pack and counting down the days.

But something I always encourage my clients to think about is what happens afterwards. And that includes financially.

It's so easy to budget for the surgery itself and forget about everything that comes with recovery. Extra pillows, compression garments, prescriptions, travel, time away from work, lymphatic massages and all the other little things can quickly add up.

Good aftercare isn't a fast track through recovery, but giving yourself the right support afterwards shouldn't be underestimated as part of your overall surgery journey. Being unprepared or rushing your recovery can make an already challenging period harder and potentially leave you dealing with setbacks that could have been avoided.

Through my own experience of surgery and now working with women during their post-operative recovery, there are so many little things I've picked up that can make those first few weeks feel that bit more organised and supported.

So, if I was preparing for surgery again, these are some of the things I'd want to know.

1. Start thinking about your recovery before your surgery

Don't wait until you're home from your procedure to work out what you need.

Think about where you're going to sleep, who can help you, what you'll wear, what you'll eat and the everyday things that might suddenly feel much harder for those first few days.

Get your recovery space ready. Put the things you'll use regularly somewhere easy to reach and make life as simple as possible for future you. And include your recovery in your surgery budget from the beginning.

You don't need every post-op gadget you've seen online, but work out what you're realistically going to need and what support you want in place so you're not suddenly trying to organise and pay for everything after surgery.

2. Follow your surgeon and their team's advice

Your surgeon and medical team should always be your first point of reference for your individual recovery.

Social media can be amazing for finding other people's experiences, but their surgery, body, surgeon and recovery are not yours.

If you see something online and start wondering whether you should be doing it too, ask your surgical team.

"Hey, I've seen people using this after surgery — do I need it?"

"When can I start doing this?"

"Is this appropriate for the procedure I've had?"

Especially when it comes to compression, wounds, medication, exercise and massage, go from the guidance you've been given and ask when you're unsure.

3. Plan your post-operative support in advance

If you know you'd like lymphatic drainage as part of your recovery, I'd recommend speaking to your therapist before your surgery rather than afterwards.

It gives us the opportunity to understand what procedure you're having, when you're having it, your surgeon's guidance and what your early recovery plan may look like.

I personally only take on a limited number of clients at one time for post-operative treatment plans because I want to be able to give each person the care and flexibility they may need during those early weeks.

And remember post-operative lymphatic drainage should be gentle. More pressure does not mean a better treatment.

4. Make your recovery space comfortable

You're probably going to spend more time resting than you're used to, so make the space somewhere you're actually comfortable being.

Fresh bedding. Extra pillows. Chargers nearby. A water bottle you can easily reach. Comfortable clothing. Something good to watch. Books. Snacks.

Your body is already doing a lot behind the scenes. Make the practical side of recovery as easy on yourself as you can.

5. Have easy, nourishing food ready

This is one I'd personally plan for again. During my own surgery recovery, I had a meal-prep service deliver me one nutritious, protein-dense meal each day because I knew I wasn't going to want to cook, but I still wanted an easy way of getting a good meal and some protein in. That doesn't mean every single meal needs to be perfect.

Have easy options available. If you can, prepare some meals beforehand or arrange for someone else to cook. Think protein, fruit and vegetables, fibre, carbohydrates, healthy fats and plenty of fluids; normal, nourishing food that you actually enjoy eating.

And some days might be better than others.

If one day all you really fancy or can manage is some buttery toast? That is fine. Have the toast. Give yourself some grace during this time.

6. Don't underestimate hydration

Keep water close and make drinking regularly easy for yourself. I love having electrolytes available too, particularly when I'm trying to be more intentional about hydration, but supplements and powders don't replace drinking enough fluid or following any specific advice you've been given by your medical team.

7. Your body may look and feel different before it looks how you expected

This is a big one. Swelling is a normal part of healing after many surgical procedures.

Depending on your procedure, you may experience swelling, bruising, firmness, tenderness and changes that can look or feel strange while your body is recovering.

Your early post-op body is not your final result.

Try not to analyse yourself in the mirror every morning or compare your day 10 to somebody else's month six. Recovery takes time.

8. Move... but don't rush back into your old routine

When your medical team has advised that it's safe, gentle movement can be really valuable during recovery.

And sometimes that literally means getting up and taking a little walk. As someone who loved my routine before surgery and who now meets so many of you who are equally eager to get back to yours, I understand how frustrating it can feel to slow down.

But this isn't the time to prove how quickly you can bounce back.

Build movement back gradually and follow the guidance you've been given for your particular procedure. Your normal routine will still be there when your body is ready for it.

9. Buy the useful things, not ALL the things

The post-op shopping lists online can become overwhelming very quickly.

There are definitely products that can make recovery easier, but you don't need to buy everything someone on TikTok tells you that you need.

I've put together some of the practical things I'd personally consider having ready for recovery (depending on the type of surgery you have planned), you can visit my Amazon list here.

Some links may be affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if you purchase through them, at no additional cost to you. I only recommend things I genuinely think could be useful.

10. Give yourself more grace than you think you'll need

Recovery can be an emotional journey as well as a physical one.

Some days you'll feel amazing. Other days you might feel swollen, uncomfortable, tired, emotional, frustrated or simply fed up with recovering.

And then you might wake up the next day feeling completely different again.

Recovery isn't always linear.

Try not to judge the entire process by one difficult day, and don't put pressure on yourself to feel grateful, positive or productive every second of it.

You've invested a lot into having your surgery.

Give your body the time, patience, care and support it deserves afterwards too.

Thinking about post-operative support?

If you have an upcoming procedure and you're considering lymphatic drainage as part of your recovery, you're always welcome to get in touch before your surgery.

We can talk through your procedure, your surgeon's guidance and what support may be appropriate for you. I offer individual post-operative sessions as well as personalised treatment plans, with single sessions starting from £75.

Post-operative lymphatic drainage does not replace medical treatment or advice. Treatment suitability and timing will depend on your procedure, recovery and medical guidance.