Raul Barreda Jr., MD

If you're scheduled for major surgery, take time beforehand to plan for your hospital stay and your care after discharge. Getting discharge instructions in advance can help you prepare for what you can and can't do when you return home, says Raul Barreda Jr., MD, a surgeon at South Texas Health System.

To prepare for your surgery:

• Verify insurance coverage. Follow all the pre-certifications required by your health insurance company so you won't have to pay more for your surgery and aftercare.
• Decide who'll be helping you after you get home.
• Arrange to get a handicapped tag for your car, if you'll need one, through your local motor vehicle department.
• Make a list of questions to help ensure you get the answers you need.

Prepare your home
Before surgery, evaluate your home for safety and comfort.

• Decide where you'll sleep if you live in a multilevel home.
• Make sure all steps and handrails inside and outside are sturdy. Install rails on both sides of steps, if needed.
• Move a chair with a high seat to a place where you like to sit. Low or soft chairs can be diffi cult to get in and out of.

Going home
When you're ready to leave the hospital, you may need to:

• Meet with a hospital social worker, discharge planner or case manager to help you get medical equipment such as a walker, deal with mental health issues, and provide emotional support and contacts with area agencies.
• Have someone drive you home and stay with you for at least the first 24 hours.
• Be sure you understand your surgeon's discharge instructions.