Pathway 01 · Before surgery

re: preparation

My surgery is coming up

Most of what makes the first weeks at home easier gets decided before you arrive. Here is where to put your attention, and what you can reasonably leave alone.

A patient practising a careful step-up on a low platform between parallel bars while a therapist cues knee alignment

Start here

The practical things first

Confirm your arrival time, where to go, and who is driving you home. Most people cannot drive after anesthesia.
Walk through your home once, imagining that reaching, bending and carrying might be harder for a while.
Write your questions down before appointments. They go by quickly.
Keep one list of your medications and supplements to bring along.

Nutrition

Eat like it matters, because it does

Include a protein source at each meal and snack rather than saving it all for dinner.
Keep fluids steady through the day unless your team has given you limits.
This is not the moment for a restrictive diet. Your body needs energy to repair tissue.
Never replace your surgical team’s fasting instructions with general advice from an article or a product label.

Surgical nutrition · optional

Thrive Protocol

If you would rather not organise nutrition yourself, Thrive Protocol is a structured perioperative program designed to be used before and after surgery. Discuss any nutrition product with your surgical team first.

GET THRIVE PROTOCOL

Explore the surgical nutrition program on Thrive Protocol’s website.

Comfort

Arrange comfort before you need it

Ask your team whether cold therapy suits your procedure, and how to protect your skin while using it.
Think about where you will sleep and how you will position the area before you come home.
Choose loose, front-opening clothing and slip-on shoes for the first weeks.
Set up one resting spot with your charger, water, medications and something to read within reach.

Cold + compression · optional

Game Ready

Some patients prefer to have cold and compression arranged before surgery rather than sorting it out afterwards. Whether it suits you depends on your procedure and your team’s instructions.

SEE GAME READY RENTAL OPTIONS

Interested in Game Ready? You'll provide your information directly to the rental company. Their team will explain availability, prescription requirements and next steps.

Sleep + comfort · optional

Shoulder Sleeper

For shoulder surgery or injury

If your shoulder is the area involved, your sleep setup is worth planning before surgery rather than after.

EXPLORE SHOULDER SLEEP OPTIONS

Afterwards

Have something supportive ready to wear

Comfortable, supportive layers make dressing easier in the first weeks.
Compression is a personal choice. Ask your team whether compression is appropriate for you.
Plan a gradual return to work and routine rather than a sudden one.

Compression + performance · optional

Reparel

Reparel makes compression apparel designed for comfort and support as you return to movement, useful to have on hand for the weeks after surgery.

EXPLORE REPAREL

re: may receive compensation from purchases made through its partner resources. Recommendations are optional and separate from your medical care.

This is general education, not medical advice. Always follow the specific instructions from your healthcare team, and contact them with any concerns.