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If surgery is planned

Preparing for spine surgery.

The things that genuinely affect how it goes, and the practical setup that makes the first week easier.

The weeks before

Six things to sort out.

  1. 01

    Nicotine, in any form

    This is the item with the largest effect and the one most often understated. Nicotine impairs bone healing and tissue healing, and it matters most where bone has to fuse. It is worth raising with your surgeon early, because stopping well before surgery is more useful than stopping the week of it, and the recommendation will be specific to your procedure.

  2. 02

    Medications, particularly blood thinners

    Bring a complete list, including anything bought over the counter and any supplements. Anticoagulants and antiplatelet medications need a plan agreed with whoever prescribes them, and that plan takes time to arrange. Do not stop anything on your own.

  3. 03

    Medical clearance

    Depending on your health and the procedure, you may need clearance from a primary care physician, a cardiologist or another specialist. Starting this early avoids a postponement, which is the most common reason spine surgery gets rescheduled.

  4. 04

    Authorisation and the facility

    Confirm that the surgeon, the facility and the anaesthesia group are all covered under your plan, because they bill separately. Surgical authorisation can take time, so it is worth confirming the process rather than assuming it is in hand.

  5. 05

    Conditioning

    Going into an operation in better shape helps recovery, within whatever your symptoms allow. Walking is usually the most practical option. This is not about getting fit; it is about not arriving deconditioned after months of restricted activity.

  6. 06

    Help at home, and time off

    Arrange a ride home and someone around for the first day or two. Agree your time off work in advance with a realistic timeframe for your actual job rather than a general figure.

At home

Set up before, not after.

Bending, twisting and reaching are the movements most often restricted after spine surgery, and they are exactly what an unprepared house demands.

  • Move what you use daily to waist height, so you are not bending or reaching overhead
  • Put a chair with arms where you will be sitting most, since pushing up with your arms is easier than rising from a low soft seat
  • Clear the routes you will walk, including rugs and cables
  • Stock food that needs little preparation for the first few days
  • If your bedroom is upstairs, decide in advance whether you will manage the stairs or set up downstairs
  • Put a phone charger and water within reach of where you will rest

References

  1. AAOS OrthoInfo: Preparing for Surgery
  2. AAOS OrthoInfo: Spinal Fusion

Medically reviewed by Arash J. Sayari, MD · September 26, 2026

This page is for general education and is not medical advice. It does not create a doctor-patient relationship, and it cannot account for the specifics of your own spine. For guidance about your situation, see a qualified physician. If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department rather than waiting for an appointment.

Questions before surgery

How long before surgery should I stop nicotine?
Ask your surgeon, because the answer depends on the procedure and the recommendation should be specific rather than generic. What is consistent is that nicotine meaningfully impairs healing, particularly where bone has to fuse, and that stopping earlier is better than stopping later. This includes vaping, patches and gum, not only cigarettes.
Do I stop my blood thinner?
Not on your own. Stopping an anticoagulant or antiplatelet medication carries its own risk, which is why the plan is agreed between your surgeon and whoever prescribes it. Raise it as early as possible, because arranging it takes time.
Should I eat or drink before surgery?
You will be given specific fasting instructions by the surgical facility, and those instructions override anything on this page. They vary by procedure and by anaesthesia plan, and not following them is a common reason operations get cancelled on the day.
Will I need a brace?
It depends entirely on the procedure. After a cervical disc replacement, for example, the instruction is usually to move the neck early rather than to protect it, since motion is the point of the implant. Your surgical team will tell you.
How long will I be in hospital?
Many minimally invasive decompressions and discectomies are outpatient, with patients walking within hours and going home the same day. Larger procedures and significant medical comorbidities are reasons to stay. It is decided case by case rather than promised in advance.
What should I bring on the day?
Photo identification, your insurance card, your medication list, loose comfortable clothing and flat shoes that go on without bending. Leave valuables at home. The facility will give you its own list, which takes precedence.
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