How you prepare

Food and medications

Before your procedure, you may need to temporarily stop taking certain medications and supplements. You may also need to avoid eating or drinking for a certain amount of time. Your doctor will give you specific instructions to help you prepare.

Other precautions

If you have time before the surgery, you may need to receive blood transfusions to ensure that you have enough blood cells after your spleen is removed.

Your doctor may also recommend that you receive a pneumococcal vaccine and possibly other vaccines to help prevent infection after your spleen is removed.