Onco Life Hospitals

Book PET CT Scan Appointment
Book Doctor Appointment
Understanding Cancer
Facebook Twitter Youtube Instagram Linkedin

Surgery (Surgical Oncology)

What to Bring, How to Prepare, and What to Expect

Surgery may be advised to remove a tumour, take a biopsy, remove lymph nodes, or treat complications (bleeding/obstruction). Your exact steps depend on the type of surgery planned.

What to Bring (Checklist)

Medical documents

  • All reports: biopsy/histopathology, blood tests, discharge summaries
  • Scans: CT/MRI/PET-CT/USG + CD/pen drive/link
  • Previous treatment notes (chemo/radiation summaries if already started)

Medicine & health details (very important)

  • List/photos of all medicines (BP/sugar/thyroid etc.)
  • Tell us if you take blood thinners (Aspirin/Clopidogrel/Warfarin/Rivaroxaban etc.)
  • Allergy history (medicines/latex/food)
  • Past surgeries/anesthesia issues (if any)

Admin

  • Photo ID
  • Insurance/scheme file if applicable (card/TPA/scheme documents)

Before Surgery (How to Prepare)

  • Follow the pre-op test instructions (blood tests, ECG, X-ray, etc.)
  • Share any history of diabetes, BP, asthma, heart disease
  • If you smoke/alcohol: avoid as advised (helps healing)
  • Discuss medicine changes only with the doctor (especially blood thinners)

Fasting rule (common)

  • Usually no food for 6–8 hours before surgery; water rules will be confirmed by the team.

What to Expect (Step-by-Step

  • Pre-operative evaluation
    • Surgeon review + anaesthesia fitness check + consent
  • Admission process
    • Room allotment + nursing assessment + final vitals/tests
  • Surgery day preparation
    • Fasting confirmation, IV line, medicines as advised, shifting to OT
  • Operation theatre (OT)
    • Anaesthesia given (general/regional/local as applicable)
  • Recovery phase
    • Monitoring in recovery area/ICU if needed
    • Pain control + antibiotics as required
  • Post-op care
    • Dressing/wound care, drain management (if any), mobilization, diet progression
  • Discharge & follow-up
    • Discharge summary, home medicines, wound instructions, follow-up date

Typical Timelines

  • Admission formalities: 30–90 minutes
  • Surgery + recovery: varies by procedure
  • Discharge (most surgeries): 1–5 days (case dependent)
  • Biopsy/Final histopathology report: often 5–10 working days (can vary)

Home Care After Chemo (Simple Do’s & Don’ts)

Do

  • Keep wound clean and dry as instructed
  • Take medicines on time
  • Walk/mobilize as advised
  • Come for dressing and follow-up on schedule

Don’t

  • Don’t apply home remedies/creams on wound unless advised
  • Don’t lift heavy weight if restricted
  • Don’t ignore fever, worsening pain, swelling, discharge from wound

When to Contact Us Immediately / Come to Casualty

  • Fever, chills, severe weakness
  • Excess bleeding or soaked dressing
  • Increasing redness/swelling/pus from wound
  • Severe breathlessness, chest pain, fainting
  • Severe vomiting or inability to eat/drink

Note: Steps vary by surgery type and patient fitness. Your team will confirm exact preparation and schedule.

Explore More Patient Preparation Guide

We also recommend you to read: