People preparing for the Ross procedure should speak with their cardiologist — a doctor specializing in heart health — about specific steps they may need to take before surgery. They might need to stop taking medication beforehand. A person's doctor can also inform them about when they should last eat and drink before the procedure. If a person smokes, doctors will usually ask them to stop smoking in advance of the surgery. A person may also need to pack clothes and belongings to last them for a week, as this is the usual amount of time they will spend in the hospital