How to Prepare for Robotic Surgery: A Patient Checklist

Why preparation matters

Robotic surgery can offer precision, smaller incisions, and often a smoother early recovery, but the outcome is influenced by more than the robot itself. Good preparation helps reduce avoidable risks, improves safety on the day of surgery, and makes recovery more predictable.

For patients in Mauritius, preparation also means coordinating appointments, transport, family support, medications, and work leave in a system where timing can matter. This guide gives you a practical checklist to use before your operation, whether you are having a robotic prostatectomy, hysterectomy, colorectal procedure, or another robotic-assisted surgery.

Start with the basics, confirm the exact plan

Before focusing on details, make sure you understand three things clearly:

1. What operation you are having.
2. Why robotic surgery is being recommended.
3. Whether your surgeon expects to use the robotic system for the whole operation or only part of it.

It is also useful to ask whether there is a chance the procedure could be changed to standard laparoscopy or open surgery if needed. This is not a failure, it is sometimes the safest option depending on what is found during surgery.

Ask for the date, expected length of stay, and whether you will need someone to accompany you home. If you are unsure, write the answers down or ask the clinic to send them in writing.

Medical checks to complete before surgery

Your surgical team may request tests to make sure you are fit for anaesthesia and surgery. These may include blood tests, an ECG, imaging, or clearance from your physician, cardiologist, endocrinologist, or other specialist.

Tell your team about:

• Heart disease, high blood pressure, asthma, sleep apnoea, diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, or clotting disorders.
• Previous problems with anaesthesia, including nausea, difficult intubation, or allergic reactions.
• Any history of smoking, alcohol use, or vaping.
• Recent infections, fevers, cough, or skin wounds.
• Pregnancy possibility, if relevant.

If you have diabetes, good glucose control before surgery matters. If you have high blood pressure, do not adjust medication on your own. If you use a CPAP machine for sleep apnoea, ask whether to bring it on the day of surgery.

Review your medicines carefully

Medication mistakes are a common and preventable cause of surgical delay or bleeding risk. Do not wait until the last minute. Prepare a full list of everything you take, including prescription medicines, over-the-counter drugs, herbal products, vitamins, and supplements.

Pay special attention to:

• Blood thinners such as warfarin, apixaban, rivaroxaban, dabigatran, clopidogrel, or aspirin.
• Diabetes medicines, especially insulin and certain tablets that need dose changes when fasting.
• Blood pressure medicines, which may or may not be taken on the morning of surgery depending on the drug.
• Herbal supplements like ginkgo, garlic capsules, St John’s wort, and turmeric products, which can affect bleeding or anaesthesia.

Never stop a prescribed medicine unless your surgical team tells you to. If a medicine must be paused, ask exactly when to stop it and when to restart it.

Fasting rules, why they matter

You will usually be told not to eat for a set number of hours before surgery and to stop drinking clear fluids at a specific time. These instructions reduce the risk of vomiting and aspiration during anaesthesia.

Because fasting rules can vary by hospital and procedure, do not rely on general advice from the internet or a friend’s experience. Follow the exact instructions from your hospital. If the timing is unclear, call and confirm.

A useful question is, “Can I take my morning medicine with a sip of water?” Some medicines are allowed, others are not. Clarify this in advance.

Prepare your body for a better recovery

The days or weeks before surgery are a chance to improve your baseline health. Even small changes can help.

Try to:

• Stop smoking, ideally several weeks before surgery, because smoking can slow healing and increase lung complications.
• Maintain a balanced diet with enough protein to support healing.
• Stay active with gentle walking or other approved exercise.
• Treat constipation if your team advises it, especially before abdominal or pelvic surgery.
• Address anaemia if it is found, because low blood counts can affect recovery.

If you have been told to lose weight or improve blood sugar, focus on realistic goals. A short, safe improvement is better than an extreme plan that cannot be maintained.

Plan your home recovery before the operation

Many people focus on the surgery itself and forget the practicalities of the first week at home. Arrange these things before you go in:

• Someone to drive you home.
• A responsible adult to stay with you if required.
• Comfortable loose clothing.
• Easy meals, water, and any prescribed medications.
• A plan for childcare, work, pets, and household tasks.
• A quiet place to rest.

If you live far from the hospital or need to travel between islands or by long car journey, ask your team whether this affects discharge planning or follow-up timing. It may also be helpful to know who to contact if you develop pain, fever, wound discharge, urinary problems, or bleeding after discharge.

Ask these questions before the day arrives

A good consultation should leave you informed, not overwhelmed. Consider asking:

• What are the main benefits of robotic surgery in my case?
• What are the specific risks for my operation?
• How many similar procedures does this team perform?
• What happens if the robot cannot be used?
• What should I stop taking, and when?
• What time should I arrive at the hospital?
• Will I have a catheter, drain, or stoma after surgery?
• What should I expect in the first 48 hours after surgery?
• When can I eat, shower, drive, work, or exercise again?

If you are nervous, say so. Anxiety is common, and it helps the team tailor explanations and support.

On the day of surgery, what to bring

Pack only the essentials:

• Identification and hospital documents.
• Your medication list.
• Any medical test results the team asked for.
• CPAP machine or inhalers if relevant.
• Glasses case, hearing aids, or mobility aids.
• Comfortable clothes for discharge.

Leave valuables at home if possible. Remove nail polish, jewellery, and contact lenses if instructed. If you feel unwell on the day, for example if you have a fever or flu-like symptoms, call the hospital before leaving home.

Practical conclusion

Preparation for robotic surgery is not just paperwork. It is a safety step that can reduce delays, lower risk, and help you recover more smoothly. The most important actions are simple, confirm your operation plan, give a complete medication list, follow fasting instructions exactly, organise support at home, and ask questions early.

If you use this checklist and keep communication open with your surgical team, you will arrive better prepared and more confident. That is often the best foundation for a good surgical experience.