“I am due for back surgery. Should I be doing any preparations before the surgery?”

Every surgeon has their own routine prescribed to their preoperative surgical patients. I would advise you to consult your surgeon and ask him/her regarding any specific recommendations as everyone has a condition unique to their situation

"Back surgery" is not specific enough to know what you are going to have done. "Back surgery" could mean a minimally invasive outpatient discectomy, or a multilevel scoliosis correction and fusion. I can tell you that no matter what surgery you have, the better shape you are in before surgery, the faster you will recover and the easier it will be. So exercise, lose weight if necessary, and stop smoking if you do.

Stop smoking if you do, reduce your weight, start exercising if you can, e.g. swim.

Please address this question with your doctor as your preparation will depend on your pathology. In general it is better not to smoke and to discuss your general health with your PCP.

Some times physical therapy may be beneficial prior to back surgery as it strengthens the core muscles and improves flexibility. If the procedure is to be a fusion then smoking cessation is a must. Also a proper nutritional diet is recommended so that the body is better equipped to heal properly.

Hi there.

Thank you for the great question.

Depending on the exact back surgical procedure you are having done, there may be some specific things you can do. I would talk to your doctor and see what his thoughts are - as he/she will be more familiar with your exact details and be able to advise you more specifically.
In general, there are usually some things you can do — they may not all apply to you:

1. Lose weight — most of us are overweight and surgery is usually easier and smoother if we lose weight.
2. Incentive spirometry — this is a simple machine that helps you monitor your breathing and it forces you to take deep breaths - this can be done before surgery and can help keep your lungs healthy. After surgery, we tend to be immobilized, and this keeps the lungs open and makes sure air is going into the deep sections of your lungs.
3. Avoid blood thinners (usually 5 days before surgery). Discuss this with your doc. This is general advice, but some patients are told to continue theirs bc of clotting disorders, etc.
4. Core strengthening exercises— do these as tolerated — but this will help with recovery.
5. No eating or drinking after midnight the night before surgery.
6. Report all drugs (illegal and legal, herbal and pharmaceutical) to your surgeon and the anesthesiologist.
7. Do not shave the area less than 24 hours before surgery.
8. Remove all piercings before going into surgery.

I hope these are clear.

Best of luck with your surgery. Please let me know if you have other Qs.

Best wishes,

Dr. Lamki

No, only need not to eat after 12 midnight. Need to be 8 hrs of not eating anything.

Jose Valerio, MD, MBA, FACS, FAANS

Losing weight, stop smoking before the anesthesia, stop any blood thinners and anti-inflamatories at least 1 week in advance, but in certain cases, this has to be addressed in a different approach if you are at risk of blood clots or pulmonary embolism and whether you have a blood disorder increasing your risk of such situations, if not, then this is not an issue. Also, avoid heavy lifting and bending, twisting, and prolonged sitting and standing, that is very general since I don't know your exact diagnosis and what you are going for, but these are general guidelines.

There is no need on your part other than preoperstive labs and medical clearance by your primary care or cardiologist. Once you decide to have surgery you should already have all information needed and everything to be done, done.