Pre-Op testing?

Hello and GOOD MORNING! (I am far too awake for a work day) I heard that about a week before surgery, you have to go through some pre-op stuff at the hospital. Can someone tell me what to expect? What all do they do to you?

I will tell you tomorrow, my appointment is at 10. My surgery is on the 22nd. I hope Ivan will not get in the way tomorrow morning on my 1 hour trip to Tampa, Marcie. I will post when I get home Rosey

My hospital pre-op testing only consisted of lab. Luvit~sunnyV@goal

My pre-op testing included bloodwork, urine sample, EKG, X-rays, consultation with RN to get surgery instructions, blood gas test, and a spirometer test. I was there for about 4 hours. And the time seemed to fly by. Karee

HI Marcie, I had my pre-op visit last week. All mine entailed was answering a bunch of questions and having my blood pressure taken. Since my labs, Chest Xray, EKG had been less than 6 months ago I did not have to have them repeated. The Bariatric Nurse Coordinator also took me on a tour of all the areas I would be in and then reviewed some of the postop teaching and what to expect. Surgery is this Friday!!!

My pre-op testing right before sugery consisted of a urinalysis and blood work, now I had to get a samle of my blood gasses taken and that actually hurt, they took blood from the side of my wrist, ouch! You will live dont worry,,,,,, Christy

The test depends on your doctor. I had the same test as Karee plus the upper GI and a sonogram of my lower abdomen area. (It was this test that indicated my gall bladder needed to come out as well.) They checked my spleen and kidneys as well. My doctor was very thorough which I am glad he was. None of the test were bad. The worse part was drinking that stuff while they took pictures on the upper GI.

It's the upper GI that I was worried about. I wasn't sure if I was going to have to do that or not. I wonder what warrants having that done. Oh well, as long as I don't have to have it, I will be happy hahaha

I did a GI and I am glad I did during pre-op. They found bacteria (it did not delay the surgery!!) in my stomack and now I have to treat it with medication, it is hard to do a GI on a post-op patient. So, bite the bullet, have it done now, to prevent to have it done later on! Flavia

Hi Marcie, My pre-op testing was scheduled for 10 today and I arrived about 9:30. I checked in at the admissions desk on the left and they directed me to the waiting room right next to it. The room was jammed. They had me fill out a form asking the name and date of all previous surgeries and a list of all medication that I take. I brought 2 copies of this information as I keep it in the computer and print it out each time I go to a doctor or hospital. About 10:15 my name was called and I was summonsed by a nurse who led me (and my husband) to the back where she took my blood pressure. We then went in a room where asked lots of questions and filled out several sheets of paper. Again she wanted me to list all medications and surgery. You will be asked over and over again your name and birth date and they all will look at your wrist band. After she completed all the forms she gave me a soap/sponge package that I was advised to clean myself with the night before surgery from ankle to neck. She also told me to be at the hospital at 5:45 for a 7:30 check in at the front desk, go to the 2nd floor and they would come and get me and prep me. also a sheet of prep instructions for the day before surgery. While she was going over the procedure for the 22nd I noticed that she had a typed sheet of paper that had a procedure on it and a name other than mine on it along with my name. I asked that that was and she didn't know. I also wanted to know what a G-Tube was as it was listed as a surgical proceedure. She didn't know what it was or why I would have it. I then wanted to know why the hand written procedure sheet and the typed procedure sheet didn't match. The typed one had the extra name and a requested urology workup. She had no information on this either. I also wanted to know when I would meet with Jose. She told me Jose would not be there and the she didn't have the other answers. I pressed her for the information and she paged Jose and told him that I wanted to talk to him. I started explaining that the two papers were different and I started to read the typed one and she withdrew it and would not let me see it again! I demanded to know what the difference was and who the other name on it was. Jose told me it was a mistake and to ignore it. (hummmm), he then explained what the G-Tube was. It is a tube that they will in inserting during surgery because I am a revision and I will go home with it for several weeks. I think it is a feeding tube. I was satisfied. She also told my husband that my surgery would be approximately 4 hours (I think longer) and that he should park in valet and at 5:00 goes and get his keys from the valet and they would show him where my car was so he could get it later. Then back to the waiting room for about 30 minutes for the Anesthesiologist meeting. He listened to my chest, asked all the same questions again including all medications and surgeries (I gave him another copy). He felt my neck, did the "follow my finger" thing and tested my arms and legs and neck (air passage) and my mouth. I asked if he would be the guy on the 22nd and he said no he did the scheduling. I asked if they did an epidural along with the general and he said that the doctor determines that on the day of surgery. Then back to the waiting room. I waited another 30 or 45 minutes and had a chest x-ray, an EKG and blood drawn. In total I was there for 4 1/2 hours (I was 30 minutes early). The people were kind and efficient. The two gals who do the EKG and the blood are real hoots! I had a good time with them! Don't forget to take something to read...they don't have anything and bring a jacket or something as some areas are cold. I hope this helps dispel your concerns. If you have more question please email me. Rosey