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Module 2 · Topic

🌙The Night Before Surgery

A calm, well-planned evening sets you up for a smoother day of surgery. A short checklist the night before helps you feel organised, rested and ready.

The Night Before Surgery

Fasting and medications

Follow the fasting instructions in your admission letter exactly — usually no food for 6 hours before surgery, with clear fluids allowed until 2 hours before.

Take your regular medications as advised by the pre-assessment team. If you're unsure about any dose, check before the evening rather than skipping it.

Showering and skin preparation

Shower or bathe the evening before, and again on the morning of surgery if advised. Use any antibacterial wash you've been given exactly as instructed.

Avoid creams, lotions, make-up, nail polish and jewellery on the day. Wear clean, loose, comfortable clothes to hospital.

Packing and preparing your home

Pack loose nightwear, non-slip slippers, toiletries, a phone charger, your admission letter and a list of medications. Leave valuables at home.

Set out tomorrow's clothes and your bag by the door, and make sure walkways are clear ready for your return.

Managing anxiety and sleep

Feeling nervous is completely normal. Slow breathing, a warm bath, gentle music or a familiar book can help settle your mind.

Set an alarm for the morning, then try to switch off. Even if you don't sleep as well as usual, simply resting quietly is enough.

Interactive guide
Preparing for Surgery
2The Night Before
3Day of Surgery
The night before

Tomorrow is your new beginning

You've done the hard work preparing for surgery. Tonight is about staying relaxed, getting organised and giving yourself the best possible start for tomorrow.

A packed overnight bag beside a bed with folded clothes, phone charging and slippers ready for hospital
Relaxed · Organised · Ready
A calm evening sets you up for a great morning.
Start your evening checklist
Interactive checklist

Your evening checklist

Tick each item as you go. Your progress saves automatically.

Progress0 of 10
  • Pack your overnight bag
  • Put your medications in your bag
  • Pack your hospital paperwork
  • Lay out comfortable clothes
  • Charge your phone
  • Remove jewellery
  • Remove nail varnish if instructed
  • Arrange transport
  • Set your alarm
  • Have an early night
Step by step

Everything you need to do tonight

Six simple sections to work through at your own pace.

Light evening meal beside a clock
1

Follow your fasting instructions

Your hospital will tell you exactly when you should stop eating and drinking before surgery. These instructions are important because they reduce the risk of complications during your anaesthetic.

  • Eat a light evening meal if advised.
  • Stop eating at the time your hospital specifies.
  • Clear fluids may be allowed until a few hours before surgery — follow your hospital's instructions carefully.

Never eat or drink outside the fasting guidance provided by your surgical team.

Clean modern shower
2

Have a shower

Showering the evening before surgery helps reduce the number of bacteria on your skin and lowers the risk of infection.

  • Shower thoroughly
  • Wash around the knee
  • Wear clean clothes afterwards
  • Sleep in clean bed sheets if possible

Avoid shaving around your knee unless specifically advised by your hospital.

Ring, watch and nail varnish on a bedside dish
3

Remove jewellery and nail varnish

Your surgical team may need to monitor your circulation during surgery, and jewellery can interfere with equipment or increase infection risk.

  • Rings
  • Bracelets
  • Necklaces
  • Watches
  • Earrings if requested
  • Nail varnish
  • False nails if instructed
Open overnight bag packed on a bed
4

Double-check your hospital bag

Run through everything one final time before you head to bed. Keeping your bag by the door means one less thing to think about in the morning.

Medications
Charger
Slippers
Toiletries
Loose clothing
Glasses
Hearing aids
Hospital paperwork
Walking aid if requested
Cozy living room prepared for recovery
5

Prepare your home

A few small steps tonight will make your first days back so much easier.

  • Put essentials within easy reach
  • Prepare meals
  • Remove trip hazards
  • Arrange help for tomorrow
  • Make sure someone can collect you
Person reading a book by a warm bedside lamp
6

Try to relax

Feeling nervous is completely normal. Most people feel anxious the night before surgery, but remember that knee replacement is one of the most commonly performed operations worldwide. You've prepared well — tomorrow your healthcare team will guide you through every step.

A gentle reminder

You don't need to be perfect tonight. Being prepared is enough.

Peaceful bedroom at night with moonlight
Rest well

Get a good night's sleep

Aim for a good night's sleep, but don't worry if you struggle to fall asleep. Many patients sleep poorly before surgery because they feel excited or anxious. Even resting quietly is beneficial.

  • Avoid excessive alcohol the night before surgery.
  • Try to avoid heavy meals late in the evening.
  • Keep your bag and clothes ready by the bed.
Tomorrow morning

Your morning at a glance

A simple order of events for the morning of surgery. Times shown are examples — follow the schedule your hospital gave you.

  1. 6:00
    Wake up
  2. 6:15
    Take medications only if instructed
  3. 6:30
    Follow fasting instructions
  4. 6:45
    Wear loose comfortable clothes
  5. 7:00
    Leave jewellery at home
  6. 7:15
    Bring your overnight bag
  7. 7:30
    Arrive at hospital on time
FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Yes. You can usually brush your teeth without swallowing water, but follow your hospital's fasting instructions carefully.

Some medications should be taken as normal, while others (such as certain diabetes medications or blood thinners) may need to be stopped. Always follow the instructions given by your surgeon, anaesthetist or pre-assessment team.

No. Come to hospital without make-up, nail varnish or fake tan if possible — this helps your surgical team monitor your circulation safely.

Don't worry. This is extremely common the night before surgery. Resting quietly is still beneficial even if you don't sleep well, and your team will look after you tomorrow.

Key takeaway

You've done the preparation.

Tonight is simply about staying organised, following your fasting instructions, getting a good night's rest and arriving at hospital ready for the next step in your journey. Tomorrow, your healthcare team will take over.

Organised Fasted as advised Rested Ready

Practical tips

  • Confirm your lift to hospital and when they'll arrive.
  • Avoid alcohol the night before — it disrupts sleep and interacts with anaesthetic.
  • Charge your phone and keep it by the bed.
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