What to wear on surgery day is a question that everyone wants the answer to, but no one wants to ask. Today, we’re going to discuss what to wear on surgery day. We’ll look at the most common types of surgeries, and then explore the best options for each type. First, let’s start with the most important rule: always wear comfortable clothing that you can move in easily. It’s best if you’re wearing something that isn’t too tight or too loose—just right! If you want to be extra safe, bring a change of clothes just in case they get stained or damaged by blood. And don’t forget your ID!
What to Wear on Surgery Day
What to wear on surgery day
Surgery is a scary time, and it’s only natural to want to look your best. But you need to think about what’s going to help you feel comfortable and confident in the hospital, not just on the operating table.
We asked our experts for their advice on what to wear on surgery day so that you can look good and feel good when facing a medical procedure.
A lot of people are nervous about surgery, and it’s easy to see why. After all, you’re going to be under general anesthesia—and not just for a few minutes. It’s going to be hours before you wake up.
While it’s true that no one can predict exactly what will happen during surgery, there are some things you can do to make yourself more comfortable before the big day. Here are some tips for finding what to wear on surgery day:
When you’re getting ready to go under the knife, it’s important to make sure that you’re comfortable and relaxed. And what better way to do that than with a new outfit?
Here are some great tips for choosing the right outfit for your surgery day:
1) Choose loose-fitting clothes that are easy to remove in case you need any medical equipment attached to your body.
2) Make sure your clothes aren’t too tight or too loose—just right!
3) Make sure your clothes are in good condition and easy to wash and care for (if you know what we mean).
4) Don’t wear anything that could get in the way of your doctor doing their job (e.g., jewelry or belts).
Surgery day is an important time for you and your family. You want to make sure you’re comfortable, but you also want to look good.
From the moment you wake up in the morning to when you go home after surgery, there are many decisions to make. What should I wear? How do I take care of my hair? What will happen to my makeup? We’ve got all the answers right here!
It’s best to wear loose, comfortable clothing during your surgical procedure. Think about where you’re getting surgery to figure out what clothes would best accommodate your incision site and the dressing that’ll go over it during recovery.
Knowing what you can and can’t wear will help you prepare for your procedure and have peace of mind on the day of your surgery. Discover what to pack for your day surgery and what clothes are beneficial for your recovery below.
what to do before surgery
What Should I Do Before My Surgery?
The type of procedure you’re getting affects the preparations you’ll need to make beforehand. Follow these steps to make your recovery at home much more manageable:
Make items easily accessible: You might not be able to use certain body parts for a short time after your surgery. Store the appliances and dishes you often use in an easily accessible cabinet or on the counter. Avoid high or low shelves that may require you to use a step stool or kneel.
Prepare food in advance: Since cooking might be difficult after surgery, it helps to make some food and freeze it before your procedure. You may also want to stock up on healthy frozen dinners so you have something quick to eat.
Inspect your home for safety hazards: Walk through your house and remove items that could cause tripping or falls while you recover. Move electrical wires and cords to the wall. Temporarily take rugs off the floor and put a non-skid mat in your bathtub or shower. It’s also helpful to make sleeping arrangements on the main level to limit climbing up and down the stairs if possible.
Get an excuse note for school or work: Ask your medical provider for a letter to excuse you from school or work during your procedure and recovery. Request assignments from your teachers in advance if your surgery will take place during the school year. Try to complete as many projects as you can before surgery without stressing yourself out. Communicate your upcoming absence to coworkers if necessary, as well, and let them know whether they can reach you during your recovery.
Plan for physical therapy treatment: Depending on your surgical procedure, you may need to participate in physical therapy as part of the recovery process. You’ll want to schedule this and discuss your options with your surgeon before your procedure so you can research physical therapy facilities and prepare for treatment.
what to wear during surgery
What to Wear During Surgery
It’s best to wear loose, comfortable clothing during your surgical procedure. Think about where you’re getting surgery to figure out what clothes would best accommodate your incision site and the dressing that’ll go over it during recovery. You may want to wear clothes with wide arm and leg holes so the material doesn’t rub against the incision site. The following loose-fitting items are acceptable for surgical attire:
Sweatpants: Loose workout pants or sweatpants with an elastic band puts less pressure on your abdomen and helps you recover during hernia or hip surgery.
Loose-fitting shorts: Wear shorts if you’re having knee surgery to prevent your pants from rubbing against the dressing after the procedure.
Button-down shirt: A shirt with buttons in the front is easy to take off and put on as you change into your hospital gown.
Slip-on shoes: Wear shoes that are easy to remove and put on, especially if you’re getting hand or wrist surgery and won’t be able to easily put on or tie your shoes.
Hair tie or elastic band: You may want to put your long hair into a ponytail or braid with an elastic band before surgery so it’s out of the way.
Once you register for your procedure at the facility, the surgical team will ask you to remove your clothes and put on your hospital gown. You may want to bring a backpack or small bag to store your clothes in.
what no to wear during surgery
What Not to Wear During Surgery
What you have on before the surgery is what you’ll be wearing when you recover in the hospital or outpatient facility. As you choose what clothes you can wear during surgery, leave these items at home:
Body piercings and jewelry: It’s best to leave all jewelry at home, including your wedding ring. Talk to your specialist if you can’t get your wedding ring off your finger. They might be able to put plaster or tape over your it to protect it from damage.
Shoes you need to tie: Wear shoes you can easily slip on and off. Depending on the type of surgery you get, you may also have difficulty bending down or tying your shoes with your hands.
High heels: You’ll want to avoid wearing high heels, especially if you’re having ankle or foot surgery. High heels are challenging to walk in, and you might have difficulty keeping your balance after your procedure.
Tampons: Avoid wearing tampons on the day of your surgery if you have your period. The hospital should provide a pad for you to wear during the procedure. You can wear a tampon during recovery.
Tight clothes: Tight pants, underwear, pantyhose and knee-high stockings might be uncomfortable to wear after your hip or abdominal surgery. You might also have a difficult time getting your pants back on after your procedure.
Dental appliances: Remove your dentures, retainers or elastic bands from braces to prevent loss or damage during surgery.
Makeup: Avoid wearing makeup so your doctor can accurately check your skin to make sure your circulation is healthy during the procedure. Makeup can also cause an eye injury when you’re under anesthesia and don’t have a blink reflex.
Nail polish: Remove nail polish before your operation so the surgical team can monitor the circulation in your fingers. Nail polish may block the pulse oximeter, a small machine that attaches to your finger to monitor your pulse and breathing.
Acrylic nails: You’ll probably have to file down or remove at least two of your acrylic or press-on nails, one from each hand, so the surgical team can use the pulse oximeter.
Deodorant: Deodorant and other skin products can leave a residue on your skin that may affect the incision site during shoulder surgery.
Contact lenses: You shouldn’t wear contacts when you sleep, and you’ll essentially be asleep for your surgical procedure. Avoid wearing contact lenses and wear glasses on the day of your surgery instead.
What Should I Pack for My Day Surgery?
Your surgical procedure may only take a day, but your doctor or nurse might recommend you stay overnight to recover. Bring the following items with you for your time at the hospital or outpatient facility:
Insurance card
Photo ID
Any co-payments you still need to make
Cane, crutch or walker if you used one before surgery
Your caregiver and general practitioner’s contact information
The medication you usually take and the list of doses
Pen and notebook
A small amount of cash
A book or magazine
Ask your nurse if you’re allowed to use headphones or electronic devices during your stay if you’d like to bring them. You could also pack these toiletries and personal care items for your day surgery:
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Glasses and case
Contacts to change into after surgery and contact solution
Deodorant
Hairbrush or comb
Small hand towel
Sanitary pads or tampons
Razor and shaving cream
Shampoo and conditioner
Soap
Lotion
Clean underwear
Robe
Slippers or no-slip shoes for walking in the hallway
The hospital or outpatient facility you visit for surgery may provide some of those personal care items during your recovery stay. You can either confirm ahead of time what they provide or bring your own to have personal comforts during your recovery.
How to Prepare for Surgery
After you’ve figured out what to wear and you’ve packed your bag, you can prepare yourself for surgery in the following ways.
surgery pre registration information
Pre-Registration
Registering for your surgery in advance involves filling out the admission and billing forms and making the appropriate payments before your surgery. You may also want to bring relevant documents that highlight your medical history from other healthcare providers so the surgical team has all the information they need. Take care of these details before your surgery to help you focus and have peace of mind before your procedure. Consult your medical provider about how to pre-register.
Pre-Operative Assessment
You may have to fill out a pre-operative assessment in person, online or over the phone for your nurse or doctor to analyze your health before surgery. Your medical provider may also want to conduct some tests, including a blood test, urine sample or pregnancy test, if they ask you to come in person. They use these tests to determine whether you have medical conditions they’d need to treat or address before your operation. Check with your physician to see what assessments you need for your surgical procedure.
During this appointment, your surgeon will also tell you:
If you’ll stay in the hospital overnight and for how long
If you’ll need to refrain from eating or drinking the night before or the day of your operation
What to bring to the hospital or outpatient facility
If you can take your usual medications before your procedure
important information the day before surgery
The Day Before Surgery
A medical professional from the hospital or outpatient facility should contact you the day before your procedure to confirm the information they need and answer any final questions you have. They’ll usually tell you what time you’ll need to arrive and confirm fasting requirements and what medications are safe to take before the surgery.
You can prepare for your surgical procedure the day before by:
Making travel arrangements: You won’t be allowed to drive or take public transportation if the surgical team has to sedate you or put you under anesthesia. Ask a friend or family member to bring you to your surgical appointment. Give them plenty of notice to make the proper arrangements, and confirm the details with them the day before your procedure. The hospital or outpatient facility may also be able to arrange transportation for you if you don’t have friends or family nearby.
Arranging for in-home care: It’s best to have someone stay with you for at least half a day if you need to go under general anesthesia. Give your family and friends plenty of time so they can take time off work if necessary. Confirm the details of your surgical appointment and recovery with them the day before your procedure.
Confirming visiting hours: Check with the hospital or outpatient facility about when people are allowed to visit. It’s also helpful to know what health and safety regulations are in place so you can tell your friends and family.
Fasting from food and drink: You’ll need to avoid eating or drinking — possibly including plain water, chewing gum and mints — if your surgery has specific fasting requirements to reduce adverse side effects from anesthesia. Alert your medical team if you have diabetes so they can take the necessary precautions during your procedure. Alert your doctor or nurse if you ate or drank before your surgery. In that case, you might have to reschedule.
Stopping smoking: Smoking enhances your risk of complications during surgery, including heart attack, blood clots and pneumonia. Stop all types of smoking, including e-cigarettes and vaping, as early before your surgery as possible. Your doctor or nurse will recommend you refrain from smoking at least the day before your procedure. When you arrive for your appointment, be honest with the surgical team about the last time you smoked so they can treat you accordingly.
Refraining from alcohol: Drinking alcohol soon before your procedure could enhance adverse side effects from the anesthesia. Your surgical team will usually recommend avoiding alcohol consumption at least a day before your surgery.
Reschedule as necessary: Let your surgical team know as soon as possible if you develop a cold or fever or if you have to reschedule your appointment for any reason.
on the day of surgery, you should take a bath or shower
The Morning of Surgery
On the day of your surgery, you should take a bath or shower. Your medical provider might give you specific instructions for bathing before your procedure. Since you’ll be fasting, avoid swallowing or ingesting any water when brushing your teeth. Remember not to apply toiletries, makeup, nail polish or hair spray as you get ready.
You’ll receive a bracelet with your name and an identification number on it when you register at the hospital or outpatient facility. After check-in, you’ll go to the operation area, where a nurse will take your blood pressure and ask you whether you’ve eaten, drank or smoked before arrival or if there’s a chance you might be pregnant. You must answer honestly so the surgical team can be aware of anything that could complicate your surgical procedure.
Most hospitals make women at a childbearing age take a urine pregnancy test to ensure they’re not pregnant, even if they’re not sexually active. This test will take place in a private setting so you can be honest and ask questions. Let your doctor or nurse know if you think you could be pregnant.
After Surgery
The surgical team will bring you to a recovery room after your procedure, where your nurse will monitor your vitals and give you any medication prescribed by your doctor. Feeling cold is a side effect of the anesthesia, and you can ask your nurse for a blanket if you need it. The nurse can also give you juice, ginger ale or water if you’re thirsty and have permission from your doctor to drink.
Before you’re allowed to leave the hospital or outpatient facility, you’ll need to pass urine. When you’re comfortable and awake, your nurse will prepare you to go home by removing your IV and reviewing your recovery instructions with you.
surgery recovery at home
Recovery at Home
Your surgeon will offer post-operative treatment instructions for recovery from your specific surgery. You’ll want to make arrangements to have a family member or friend help you around the house after your procedure. The nurse will give you and your caregiver a set of instructions before you leave. Consult your surgeon if you experience any unusual or uncomfortable symptoms during recovery.
Avoid signing any legal documents for at least a day after your surgery because you might have a lapse in judgment from the anesthesia. It’s also best to refrain from drinking alcohol, driving or operating machinery as you recover over the next day.
The length of your recovery period depends on what type of surgery you had, your personal goals and your overall physical health. You’ll need to eat healthy foods, stay hydrated, rest and take care of the incision site to recover quickly. Remember to attend all your post-operative appointments, as well. You can consult your medical provider about what you can and can’t do to have a speedy recovery free from complications.
What to Wear During Surgery FAQs
For more information about what you can wear on surgery day, browse through these frequently asked questions. Your physician can also provide more details about what clothes would be most comfortable during your specific surgical procedure.
Why Can’t You Wear Jewelry During Surgery?
You can’t wear jewelry during surgery because it can get lost or damaged in the operating room. It might also carry bacteria that could infect the surgical site. Instead, it’s best to leave all jewelry and body piercings at home on the day of your surgical procedure.
don’t wear deodorant during surgery
Why Can You Not Wear Deodorant During Surgery?
You can’t wear deodorant during surgery because it can leave a residue on your skin that’s difficult to remove. This residue might make it challenging for the surgeon to cut through the incision site or accurately assess your skin circulation during surgery.
Do You Wear Clothes During Surgery?
During surgery, you wear a hospital gown. After you’ve recovered and are ready to be discharged from the facility, you can change into the clothes you wore when you first arrived. You may want to bring a change of underwear and some toiletries to freshen up before going home.
What Do You Wear Under a Hospital Gown?
In most cases, you only wear your underwear underneath your gown when you have a surgical procedure. When you arrive at the hospital or outpatient facility, your nurse will tell you what clothes you can keep on under your gown, depending on your surgical site.
Can You Wear Hairspray During Surgery?
No, you can’t wear hairspray during surgery. Hair products could be flammable and may be dangerous to have in the operating room. It’s best to put your hair up in a braid or ponytail so it can be out of the way.
Can You Wear a Bra for Surgery?
You usually don’t need to wear a bra during surgery because you’ll have the hospital gown and a surgical drape over your chest. You may want to invest in a bra that’s easy to put on and remove if you’re getting arm or shoulder surgery.
What to wear on survivor
When you’re going to be on Survivor, you have to think about what is going to make you stand out. You want to be the person who gets picked for the tribe and not be voted off first. This can be hard if you don’t know what they are looking for, so here are some tips.
So you want to look good on Survivor.
Too bad. You’re going to have to do better than that.
You see, the game of Survivor is hard enough without having to worry about what you’re wearing. But we at [company name] know that your appearance is just as important as your abilities in challenges and strategic thinking—even more so, actually. That’s why we’ve created this guide for you to help you look your best for the cameras (and for your fellow contestants) while still retaining a sense of self-respect and dignity.
What clothes can you wear on Survivor? Only what production allows you to wear—or in some cases, chooses for you. The Survivor dress code is whatever the show’s producers think will illustrate who you are as a character
Why you should never judge a Survivor for their clothes
Why you should never judge a Survivor for their clothes
Ryan Ulrich, Devon Pinto, and Patrick Bolton in their color-coordinated, production-approved underwear during the second episode of Survivor 35. (Photo by Robert Voets/CBS)
Andy Dehnart
Date publishedOct. 4, 2017 | updated Mar. 29, 2022, 10:24 pm
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Survivor cast members have to navigate a social game, physical challenges, and the elements. And they have to do it in clothes that they do not choose, and clothing that is judged by both their fellow contestants and viewers.
What clothes can you wear on Survivor? Only what production allows you to wear—or in some cases, chooses for you.
The Survivor dress code is whatever the show’s producers think will illustrate who you are as a character.
One of many Survivor behind-the-scenes facts is that the clothing selection process happens in two stages:
general requirements (i.e. certain colors, no logos, nothing that doesn’t photograph well)
specific requests for each contestant, based on their character
Let’s break down how that works.
What Survivor allows—and prohibits—players to wear
Survivor 41’s final eight players: Danny McCray, Shantel Smith, Xander Hastings, Liana Wallace, Deshawn Radden, Ricard Foye, Heather Aldret, and Erika Casupanan
Survivor 41’s final eight players: Danny McCray, Shantel Smith, Xander Hastings, Liana Wallace, Deshawn Radden, Ricard Foye, Heather Aldret, and Erika Casupanan (Photo by Robert Voets/CBS Entertainment)
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The fact that Survivor’s production controls contestants’ clothing is obvious on screen—tribe members typically wear similar shades of their tribe’s color, for example.
It was once even a story point, like in the premiere of Survivor: Pearl Islands, when the players were told they were having photos taken, and instead were stranded wearing their formal clothes.
The Survivor rule book specifically says that only “pre-approved” clothing is permitted.
Some types of clothes are prohibited. That includes the usual TV no-nos, like certain patterns or clothes with logos, either from brands or corporations.
Obvious brand names are prohibited for the same reason that logos are often blurred on reality TV shows. Of course, some logos do get approved, like Ethan Zohn’s Grassroot Soccer t-shirt.
Survivor players cannot wear quick-dry or waterproof clothes, nor can they add waterproofing to existing clothes.
Whether that’s “quick dry things, or waterproof things, or a windbreaker, they won’t allow it,” Survivor: Island of the Idols player Lauren Ashley Beck said in a TikTok video. “They want us to suffer.”
Lauren also said that someone tried to do that on her season. Producers:
…will check your clothing for waterproofing. … There’s like a waterproof spray that you can put on your clothes. This actually happened to somebody on my season; they got in huge trouble. I’m not gonna name names because I know how you girls like to tussle, but they got in trouble. They also tried to put a lining on the inside of their suit jacket.
Jeff got very upset and had a few choice words for said person; Jeff’s favorite word is the f-word.
Sometimes, producers allow players to bring clothes, such as bathing suits and athletic shoes, but holds on to them, and makes the decision about if and when the cast is allowed to actually wear those things.
How a Survivor player’s clothes are chosen
Survivor Cambodia Second Chance tribe swap
The clothes Survivor contestants wear is approved—and often chosen—by producers. (Photo by Monty Brinton/CBS)
The contract’s line about “pre-approved” clothing means that some Survivor players are essentially wearing costumes, even if they have to buy those themselves:
John Cochran never wore sweater vests until he was told to for the show
A player who returned for Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains, Candice Woodcock, told me, “they’re forcing me to have a sports bra. I’m wearing all pink; I don’t know why.”
Max Dawson, a contestant on Survivor Worlds Apart, explained how this worked in a Reddit comment:
“They can be very specific, to the point of sending you to a specific store with photos of the items they want you to bring. In general, we are provided with color guidelines (for white collar it was yellow, beige, khaki, grey); prohibited items (quick dry athletic wear, zip-off pants/shorts combos, busy patterns, logos, white shirts, etc.); and the basic instructions to wear clothes that represent our walks of life.
Beyond that, our individual casting associates give us more precise requirements corresponding to the role we’ve been cast to play – eg, conservative business attire, funky alt-girl, All-American hero, etc. Some people go back and forth with casting for weeks trying to dial in wardrobe. Others send in one outfit and are done with it. Still others arrive on location and are given clothes they’ve never seen before, and that they never would have picked out themselves.
The takeaway: don’t judge castaways for their wardrobe choices, as they often are not their wardrobe choices.”
Despite that, clothes can be used as a story point, Max pointed out:
“Think about it for a sec. They specify you have to wear tight revealing underwear. They don’t give you your bathing suit. Then they ask your tribemates leading questions about the underwear they made you wear. Then they make it seem like you got voted out for walking around with your junk on display. Seems like a shitty deal to me.”
Responding to a comment about Vytas’ patterned boxer briefs, he said:
“I know for a fact that was a specific demand by production. Both Vytas and I had more sedate boxer briefs rejected during wardrobe for 31 and were told to send in something with a fun pattern. Considering how this worked out for Vytas I look back on this as having been something of a setup.”
In a different TikTok video, Lauren Ashley Beck pointed out how production’s wardrobe choices affect women differently:
“Wearing panties for 38 days straight? Yes, you do that.
Luckily, or unluckily, I got a UTI on, like, day 32, along with a couple of other women and they did have new underwear for us—but to throw in a little razzle-dazzle, they stepped on them in the dirt and then made us wear them, so.”
The Survivor players have doubles who wear the same clothes
Clothing also comes into play in another way: Each contestant, and Jeff Probst, have doubles.
They’re members of the Dream Team who dress like them and reenact challenges to allow for helicopter shots. That’s why you see aerial shots of the contestants but never hear a helicopter. It’s also why Jeff Probst sometimes changes body shape and size when you see him from above.
The Survivor call sheets published years ago show the times allotted for “2nd unit” and “Cineflex,” a brand name for a stabilized camera that hangs off the helicopter. (“2nd unit” is for b-roll footage, usually just the challenge demonstration, and “Cineflex” is aerial shots of the Dream Team stand-ins.)
When I was on location during an earlier season and during the first few days, I recall seeing call sheets directing the Dream Team to wardrobe for their contestant outfits.
I’ve also learned that at least one contestant in recent years was asked to purchase two outfits, one for themselves and one for their Dream Team double, and production covered the cost of the second outfit.
All of this attention to detail, from color coordination to aerial shots of doubles during challenges, makes Survivor a better-looking, higher-quality show.
But with clothing selected to create characters, it’s not a reflection of reality or that person, nor their decision. Think about that before critiquing what a contestant is wearing.
