Care is community. Use this guide to prepare with dignity, ask clear questions, and keep family support organized through the surgical journey.
Family • Preparation • Recovery
Today’s Caregiver Focus
Choose the stage of the surgical journey and use the cards below to prepare, track recovery, document instructions, and ask better questions.
Appointment
Before Surgery Checklist
Confirm instructions directly with the surgical team. Every procedure is different.
Day of Surgery Guide
What to Confirm
Questions to Ask
- How long is surgery expected to take?
- Who will update the caregiver?
- What pain plan should we follow at home?
- What symptoms are normal and not normal?
- Who do we call after hours?
- When is the follow-up appointment?
After Surgery Recovery Tracker
Track daily changes. Bring this information to follow-up calls or appointments.
Medication Log
Use this to stay organized. Follow the medication instructions from the care team or pharmacist.
Red Flags / When to Call
When in doubt, call the surgical team. For severe or life-threatening symptoms, call emergency services.
Call 911 / Emergency
- Trouble breathing
- Chest pain
- Fainting or hard to wake
- Severe weakness or sudden confusion
- Uncontrolled heavy bleeding
Call Surgical Team Promptly
- Fever or chills
- Incision becomes more red, swollen, painful, hot, or opens
- Drainage increases, smells bad, or looks thick, tan, green, yellow, or pus-like
- Pain is getting worse or not helped by medicine
- Repeated vomiting or cannot keep fluids down
- New leg or calf pain, redness, warmth, or swelling