Prepare before the conversation, not during it
Bring your parent’s complete, current medication list and known allergies to the pre-op consultation — the surgical team needs to check both against the planned procedure and anesthesia, and a gap here is one of the more common causes of last-minute delays.
Questions worth asking the surgical team
- What exactly does the procedure involve, and how long is recovery expected to take?
- Which current medications need to be paused before surgery, and when?
- What are the realistic risks specific to my parent’s age and conditions?
- What does the first 48 hours after surgery typically look like?
- Who do we call, and when, if something seems wrong afterward?
The pre-op medication check
Certain medications, particularly blood thinners, need to be paused on a specific schedule before surgery — missing this can mean a delayed or cancelled procedure. Confirm exact stop and restart dates in writing, and set reminders so they aren’t missed in either direction.
Planning for the after, not just the procedure
Ask about mobility restrictions, follow-up appointment timing, and any new medications to expect post-op before the day of surgery, not after — it’s much easier to plan help at home in advance than to scramble once your parent is already recovering.
Log the surgery as a visit in their MedKeep profile with the surgeon’s name, procedure and follow-up date, and update their medication list immediately with anything paused or newly prescribed.
Frequently asked questions
What should I ask a surgeon before my parent’s operation?
What the procedure and recovery involve, which current medications need pausing and when, age-specific risks, and who to contact if something seems wrong afterward.
Do medications need to be stopped before surgery?
Some do, particularly blood thinners, on a specific schedule set by the surgical team. Confirm exact dates in writing and set reminders for both stopping and restarting.
How do I keep track of a parent’s surgery and recovery?
Log the surgery as a visit in their MedKeep profile with the surgeon, procedure and follow-up date, and update their medication list right away with anything paused or newly added.
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