The day of surgery is when small omissions become large problems. Forgotten paperwork can delay a procedure; an unverified consent form can mean signing something you did not understand; arriving fed when you should be fasted can cancel the operation entirely. This checklist is the minimum a medical-tourism patient should run through on the morning of any planned surgery abroad.
What to bring
- **Passport and any visa documentation** — many hospitals require this for admission paperwork even for outpatient procedures. - **Health insurance documentation** — printed, with policy number, emergency contact, and any pre-authorisation reference. - **Complete medication list** — generic names, doses, frequencies, and any allergies. Translate to the destination language where possible. - **Medical records** — diagnostic imaging, lab results, the home-clinician treatment plan that prompted the trip. - **Implant information** — if you have any previous implants (joint replacement, breast, dental, pacemaker, cochlear), bring the implant passport documents. - **Empty stomach** — confirm NPO requirements with the clinic in advance (typically no food for 6-8 hours; clear liquids may be permitted up to 2 hours pre-op per modern anaesthetic society guidance). - **A bag with overnight essentials** — comfortable loose clothing for discharge, slippers, phone charger, a list of emergency contacts. - **A support person where possible** — many destinations require a discharge escort and prohibit patients from leaving alone after general anaesthesia.
What to confirm before signing anything
- **The treatment plan in writing in your language** — including the specific procedure (laterality if relevant — left vs right), the surgeon, the anaesthetist, the implant or device to be used, and the agreed price. - **Informed consent for the procedure being performed today** — not a generic form covering possibilities the surgeon might consider. If a consent form is presented in a language you cannot read, ask for a translation and do not sign until you understand it. - **Any additional procedures the surgeon proposes** — if a procedure beyond what was originally agreed is added on the day, this is a red flag. Decline and reschedule unless you are entirely satisfied with the rationale and consent. - **Anaesthetic plan** — confirm the type (general, regional, sedation, local) and any specific concerns (sleep apnoea, prior anaesthetic reactions, family history of malignant hyperthermia). - **Post-operative pain plan** — what medication will you receive, in what form, and how do you obtain refills? - **Discharge plan** — when, with whom, with what specific follow-up instructions?
What to ask on the day
- Who exactly will be operating? Is it the named surgeon from your pre-operative consultation? - Will the surgeon mark the surgical site before you go to theatre? - Will the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist be completed? - Who is the anaesthetist, and will they meet you before induction? - What is the back-up plan if intra-operative findings change the procedure? - What number do you call (in your language, 24/7) if a complication develops in the days after discharge?
What to refuse
- A consent form in a language you cannot read, without translation. - A change to the agreed surgeon, procedure, or implant without a full re-consent conversation. - Pressure to add procedures ("while we're in there") that were not discussed pre-operatively. - Pressure to sign documents you have not had time to read. - Anaesthesia from a clinician who has not introduced themselves and reviewed your medical history.
What to refuse politely but firmly
- Photography or video of you in identifiable form without explicit consent — particularly for marketing or social media use. - Sharing of your medical record with referral agencies or facilitators without consent. - Any procedure the surgeon proposes intra-operatively (when you cannot consent) that was not pre-authorised in writing on your treatment plan.
After surgery, before you leave
- Confirm the operative report contents (the procedure as performed) before discharge. - Confirm the implant passport for any device implanted. - Confirm the discharge medications, doses, and any restrictions. - Confirm the follow-up appointment schedule including telemedicine availability after you return home. - Confirm the 24-hour emergency number — in writing.
The day of surgery is not the day to discover surprises. Every item on this list should have been addressed in pre-operative consultations; on the day, you are checking that everything is in place.