Under a theatre gown, you typically wear nothing but your underwear, or sometimes you can keep underwear on, depending on the procedure, but staff will tell you what to do; for comfort and modesty, you can wear your own dressing gown and slippers over the hospital gown until you go to the operating theatre, removing makeup/nail polish and valuables beforehand.
Surgical gowns
Unless you have been told otherwise, please remove your underwear (you can request disposable underwear if you wish). The gown ties at the back, and to ensure you are fully covered, we advise you bring a dressing gown and slippers with you.
Undergarments: Choose well‐fitting, comfortable underwear and a bra that provides smooth lines under garments. Consider nude/skin‐tone undergarments to avoid showing through light fabrics. Breathable fabrics (cotton, linen blends) and light colors to reduce overheating.
You're usually not wearing anything. Most hospital robes open in the back, so your bum is definitely on display. You can request a second gown and wear one forwards and one backwards for more coverage. You CAN wear undies and a bra if you choose, you'll just take the panties off for cervical checks and whatnot.
On the day of surgery, you should wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. Depending on the procedure you are having, you may be fitted with a garment when you leave and will want to have something soft and loose-fitting you can wear over it. Before you go into surgery, you will be given a hospital gown to wear.
This is a result of the disinhibiting effects of anesthesia, meaning that our brain may not stop us from saying embarrassing things. Your body takes a toll of everything that happens to it, even when we are not consciously thinking about it.
Do not wear makeup, lotion, powder, deodorant or nail polish. It is important to remove your nail polish so that the doctors and nurses can see your true color during the surgery and in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit. The color of the skin and nail beds is an important sign of blood circulation.
The "3 bra rule" is a guideline recommending you own at least three bras for a simple rotation: one to wear, one to wash, and one to rest (in the drawer), allowing elastic to recover between wears to extend the bra's lifespan and maintain fit. This system prevents wearing the same bra daily, which stretches out the elastic and reduces support, helping bras last longer.
Depending on your procedure or treatment, you may be allowed to wear pants or underwear for additional comfort and modesty. Always check with your nurse or doctor. You might be given hospital socks to wear as well and will be instructed to secure your clothes in a locker.
Deodorant: Deodorant and other skin products can leave a residue on your skin that may affect the incision site during shoulder surgery.
A bandeau bra with removable straps and excellent support for larger breasts is the best option. This style is also perfect for dresses with thin straps (you never want your straps to show). Whatever you do, steer clear of adhesive bras, as these provide no support for fuller breasts.
Graduation ceremony attire is a personal choice. Some graduates graduation gowns, while others opt for more casual clothing option wear a suit jacket or blazer underneath of gown. But In most cases, wearing a suit jacket under a graduation robe is not necessary or recommended.
Seamless Underwear: Choose seamless panties to avoid visible lines, especially with fitted short dresses. Colors like nude, beige, or those matching your skin tone work best. High-Waisted Shorts: These are perfect for extra coverage and tummy control. They're ideal for tight dresses and add a smooth finish.
With arms positioned "hands up", there is a risk of compression of the ulnar nerve at the elbow and stretching of the brachial plexus at the shoulder.
Do you feel pain with anesthesia awareness? Pain during anesthesia awareness is rare, but it's possible. While most people recall things like sounds or conversations, some remember having a sore throat from the intubation tube or pain at their incision sites.
If you wish to wear your underwear, tell the nurse. It must be cotton. You will be asked to empty your bladder and bowels and may be given medicine to help with the latter at your pre assessment appointment. This needs to be taken the evening before your surgery, or you may be given suppositories or an enema.
Staff in the admission ward will help you get ready for theatre. They will give you a theatre gown to wear. These gowns tie at the back so please keep your underwear/pyjama bottoms on if you wish to. Please also put your dressing gown and slippers or comfortable shoes on.
Protection of the patient. The facemask has been used in surgical settings for over a hundred years;2 first described in 1897, at its inception, it consisted merely of a single layer of gauze to cover the mouth,3 and its primary function was to protect the patient from contamination and surgical site infection.
The "two-finger rule" for bra fitting is a quick test to check if your bra band is the right tightness: you should be able to comfortably slide two fingers (stacked or side-by-side) under the band at the back, but not much more, indicating it's snug enough for support without being too tight or riding up; the band should feel supportive and stay level, with straps only providing slight lift, not carrying most of the weight.
Not wearing a bra can lead to breast discomfort, sagging, back and shoulder pain, skin irritation and nipple sensitivity. Studies show women who skip supportive bras often experience increased breast bouncing during activity, restricted movement and self-consciousness.
The 3-3-3 clothing rule is a simple styling method for creating many outfits from few items: choose 3 tops, 3 bottoms, and 3 shoes, which allows for 27 potential combinations (3x3x3) and reduces decision fatigue, often used for travel or building a minimalist capsule wardrobe. It's a versatile concept, sometimes expanded to include 3 layers (like jackets or cardigans) for even more looks, making dressing easier by focusing on mix-and-match versatility with core pieces.
The night before your surgery you may eat a light meal before 11:00 p.m. Do not drink or eat anything after midnight—not even coffee or water. You may brush your teeth, remembering not to swallow anything.
You may brush your teeth or use mouthwash, but be careful not to swallow any toothpaste or mouthwash. Do not eat anything. Unless instructed otherwise, you may drink water up to four hours before your scheduled time of surgery.
It is always safer not to wear makeup into the operating room. Makeup in general can be a source of skin and eye irritation during surgery. Eye makeup particularly can be hazardous. Since people don't blink their eyes under general anesthesia, flecks of eye makeup can cause eye (corneal) irritation and scratches.