Ongoing blood loss and iron-deficiency anemia are common problems in patients on hemodialysis; therefore, nephrology clinicians are particularly concerned with their patients who are scheduled for surgery Surgery can cause significant blood and iron losses, thereby worsening their preexisting anemia. However, patients on hemodialysis can be effectively treated preoperatively by adjusting their continued doses of intravenous (i.v.) iron and recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO) therapy, based on expected blood and iron losses. This valuable strategy can help improve surgical and anemia outcomes as well as decrease EPO requirements and the need for transfusions. This article examines the use of IV iron and EPO therapy as preventive therapy for anemia in patients on hemodialysis prior to invasive surgical procedures, illustrated with an experience from a dialysis unit and patient case studies.