catflap.org Online Dictionary Query

  before a/the surgical operation /bɪfˌɔːɹ ɐ ðə sˈɜːdʒɪkəl ˌɒpəɹˈeɪʃən/
  präoperativ, vor einer/der Operation
           Note: nachgestellt
     Synonyms: preoperative, pre-op
  
   see: operative, postoperative, post-op, after a/the surgical operation, perioperative, around the time of a surgical operation
  
           Note: postpositive