The two weeks before your treatment trip matter more than most patients realise. Pre-operative preparation directly affects healing speed, surgical outcome, and post-op comfort. This checklist covers exactly what to do (and not do) during the pre-treatment window.
Day 14 — Two Weeks Before Travel
Stop smoking — If you are an implant patient, this is a hard requirement. Smoking measurably reduces implant success rates. WeCare requires complete cessation 14 days pre-op as a minimum. Use nicotine patches if needed (they avoid the smoke chemistry that does the most damage). Vaping is significantly less harmful than cigarettes but ideally also paused.
Confirm your treatment plan — Re-read your written quotation from WeCare. Verify dates, treatment plan, hotel choice, and any final questions.
Update your blood pressure — If you are on antihypertensives, ensure your BP is well-controlled. Have a recent reading from your home physician or pharmacy.
HbA1c if diabetic — Get a recent HbA1c blood test (within 3 months) and send the result to WeCare via WhatsApp. Below 7.0% is excellent; 7.0-8.0% requires modified protocol; above 8.0% needs improvement before surgery.
Confirm flights and travel insurance — Book if not already. Travel insurance recommended.
Day 10 — Ten Days Before
Medication review — Send your current medication list to WeCare via WhatsApp. The treating doctor may advise specific changes:
Do NOT stop any medication without discussion with your prescribing physician.
Dental hygiene baseline — Visit your home hygienist for a thorough cleaning. Starting from a clean baseline reduces post-op infection risk and means your final restoration matches well.
Eye health (for All-on-4® patients) — All-on-4® is a longer surgical procedure. If you have a recent eye condition or wear contacts, plan ahead for eye comfort during 3-hour surgical procedures.
Day 7 — One Week Before
Final pre-op paperwork — WeCare sends:
Save all of this offline (PDF on phone, printed copies in luggage).
Light exercise — Continue moderate exercise to support circulation and immune function. Avoid heavy weights or contact sports that could risk dental trauma.
Reduce alcohol — Aim for moderate or low alcohol intake the week before. Heavy drinking immediately pre-surgery affects healing.
Sleep quality — Aim for 7-8 hours nightly. Sleep is when bone heals; entering surgery well-rested is important.
Day 3 — Three Days Before
Final medication confirmation — Re-confirm with WeCare any medication adjustments needed surgery day.
Pre-flight preparation — Pack carry-on with essentials (passport, medications, change of clothes, charger, headphones). In case checked luggage is delayed, the carry-on covers your first 24 hours.
Hydrate — Increase water intake 48 hours pre-flight. Cabin air is dehydrating; entering surgery well-hydrated supports healing.
Avoid risky activities — No new exercise routines, no extreme sports, no aggressive eating. Final 72 hours should be conservative.
Day Before Flight
Final WhatsApp confirmation — Send WeCare your flight number and arrival time. Driver and hotel confirmed.
Light, soft dinner the night before — Easier on your stomach for travel. Avoid heavy or spicy food.
Hydrate — At least 2L water during the day. Avoid alcohol.
Pack final items — Travel documents, medications, comfort items, phone chargers. Double-check passport.
Early sleep — Flying with adequate rest is significantly easier on your body than running on 4 hours of sleep.
Day of Flight
Light breakfast — Easy to digest. Avoid heavy fats or anything that might cause indigestion.
Take prescribed medications at usual times. Adjust for time-zone change after arrival (WeCare coordinator advises).
Hydrate during flight — Aim for 250ml water per hour of flight time.
Avoid alcohol on flight — Especially for evening flights when you arrive late at hotel.
Move during long flights — Walk to the toilet every 1-2 hours, do calf exercises while seated. Reduces DVT risk on flights longer than 4 hours.
What If I Get Sick Before Travel?
Tell us as early as possible:
WeCare can move your surgery dates with reasonable notice — typically up to 7 days before is fine. Closer to surgery, hotel and flight rebooking become more complex but still possible.
Medication-Specific Pre-Op Notes
Anticoagulants:
Diabetes:
Bisphosphonates:
Hormonal contraceptives:
Statins, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors:
Mental Preparation
Surgery anxiety is normal. Strategies that help:
WhatsApp +90 551 086 83 68 with any pre-op questions, however small. Better to ask than worry.
