How to Prepare for Kidney Surgery

Although medical advances in lathroscopic surgery have made many types of kidney surgeries more routine and less invasive, most kidney surgeries are nonetheless fairly major procedures. Preparation for kidney surgery requires both mental and physical steps. Consult with your doctor for pre-surgery instructions and always listen to your doctor's recommendations first.

Instructions

A Month to Three Days Before Surgery

• 1

  Stop smoking if you are a current smoker. Doctors at the University of Maryland Medical Center recommend staying smoke free for a month leading up to surgery. In addition, women who take birth control should use alternate contraceptives in the month before surgery.

• 2

  Stop taking aspirin or other blood thinners three days before surgery.

• 3

  Meet with your doctor three or four days before surgery to discuss any concerns you may have and to get more specific preparation instructions.

• 4

  Get any necessary blood tests to ensure you are healthy enough to have surgery and also to verify your blood type (should you require a transfusion).

The Days Before and the Day of Surgery

• 5

  Meet with a social worker or other patient advocate to convey any concerns and receive professional advice. Kidney donors may especially benefit from such services.

• 6

  Refrain from eating or drinking for at least twelve hours before surgery. Food and liquids may interfere with your anesthesia.

• 7

  Go to the hospital at your scheduled time to begin hydration therapy and final preparation before surgery.