Surgery
What happens before surgery depends on what type of surgery you have.
Before small surgeries like or an excision , you don’t usually need tests before your operation.
Before larger surgeries like or , you might have tests to check your fitness, and you might meet members of your treatment team.
You usually go into hospital on the morning of your operation. The length of your hospital stay depends on what operation you have. You usually have small surgeries as a day case which means you won’t need to stay in hospital overnight.
Find out more about your surgery type
Who you see depends on which operation you are having and if you have any other health problems. Before you have an operation, you are likely to see:
A member of the surgical team will tell you about:
the operation you are going to have
the benefits of having surgery
the possible risks
what to expect afterwards
The anaesthetist gives you the anaesthetic and they look after you during the operation. The anaesthetic is the medicine that keeps you asleep during your operation. They make sure you’re fit enough for the surgery.
The nurse looks after you straight after surgery and until you are ready to go home. They also check what help and support you have. Then they can see what you will need when you go home.
You may have to wait a couple of weeks for your operation date. This may feel like a long time and you might find it difficult emotionally. But it gives you time to have your pre operative assessment appointment and any tests you need.
It also gives you time to prepare yourself. This might include trying to cut down or stop if you smoke or drink alcohol. Or taking part in a programme.
This appointment is to make sure you are well enough for the operation. And to prepare you for it.
At your appointment the pre operative assessment team checks your:
general health
weight
blood pressure
pulse
temperature
They also explain how to prepare for your operation. This includes:
when you need to stop eating and drinking beforehand
if you need to stop taking any of your medicines before the operation
if you need to take any medicine to clean your bowel before surgery and how to take it
breathing and leg exercises – these are to help stop you getting a or chest infection after the operation
You can ask the pre operative assessment team any questions you have about going into hospital, your operation and going home afterwards. It helps to write down any questions you have beforehand and take them with you.
You can ask more questions when you go into hospital so don’t worry if you forget to ask some.
If you are having a larger operation, the pre operative assessment team talk to you about the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) programme. This uses research to help people recover quicker after an operation. How they do this depends on what operation you are having. But it might include:
setting goals before surgery for when you go home
having carbohydrate drinks before your operation
removing drips and drains as soon as possible
sitting out in the chair soon after your operation
You usually have your skin cancer operation as a day patient. You might be awake for the surgery and have a medicine to numb the area (). But for larger operations, you might have a and be asleep for the operation.
You have some tests if you are going to have a general anaesthetic. These check:
your fitness for an anaesthetic
that you’ll make a good recovery from surgery
You might have one or more of the following tests:
blood tests to check your general health and how well your kidneys are working
an ECG to check your heart is healthy
a chest x-ray to check that your lungs are healthy
The pre operative assessment team will explain what these tests are for and how to prepare for them. You might have these tests as part of your pre operative assessment appointment. Sometimes you have them at a separate appointment.
We have more information on what happens before cancer surgery and how to prepare. This includes:
questions you may want to ask about your admission
what to take with you into hospital
arrangements you need to make for while you are away
planning for when you get home
Find out more about preparing for your cancer surgery
It is normal to feel nervous about going into hospital and having an operation. You may find it helpful to try some relaxation techniques.
If you need help to manage your feelings about your operation, speak to your GP or the hospital where you are having the surgery.
Last reviewed: 11 Jun 2026
Next review due: 11 Jun 2029
If your GP has specialist training, they might be able to remove your non melanoma skin cancer at the GP surgery.
Find out about the different types of surgery for larger skin cancers or cancer that has spread.
Find out about the follow up you'll need after treatment for skin cancer.
Non melanoma skin cancer includes basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and other rare types. They tend to develop most often on skin that has been exposed to the sun.
About Cancer generously supported by Dangoor Education since 2010. Learn more about Dangoor Education
Search our clinical trials database for all cancer trials and studies recruiting in the UK.
Connect with other people affected by cancer and share your experiences.
Questions about cancer? Call freephone 0808 800 40 40 from 9 to 5 - Monday to Friday. Alternatively, you can email us.
