Companionship on the Day of Surgery: From Morning Preparation to the Recovery Room

Surgery day is full of anxiety for patients and families: early preparation, hours of waiting outside theatre and the first hours after the operation. A calm, informed and prepared companion boosts the patient's confidence and eases communication with staff.

Support the patient: listen to their worries and acknowledge feelings rather than saying "don't be scared"; keep things calm; help them pass questions to the surgeon or anaesthetist.

Waiting during surgery

Tell staff where you will be or keep your phone on; remember that estimated times include preparation and recovery, so a longer wait is not necessarily bad news; bring water, snacks and a charger; choose one person to update the rest of the family.

Recovery room

The patient is monitored until the anaesthetic wears off, usually without companions, then moves to the ward or ICU.

The first hours on the ward

1. Alertness: drowsiness is normal; report if the patient cannot be woken or becomes more drowsy.
2. Breathing: call the nurse for fast, laboured or noisy breathing.
3. Pain: help communicate a 0–10 score.
4. Nausea and vomiting: turn the head to the side and call the nurse.
5. Dressing: report rapidly increasing bleeding or soaking.
6. Lines, drains, catheters: keep them unkinked and untouched.

When to drink, eat or sit up is decided by the surgeon and nurse.

First time out of bed

Usually with a nurse: sit up first, wait, dangle the legs, stand with support and walk a short distance; sit down immediately for dizziness, pallor or sweating.

Older patients may develop delirium; early use of glasses and hearing aids, a familiar face, day–night routine and early movement help.

We plan companionship from the morning of surgery through the first days and nights in hospitals across Yalova, completing care at home with wound care, stitch removal and physiotherapy, and can arrange surgical companions in Bursa, Istanbul and Kocaeli–Gebze.