Having Pre-op tests and physical - what should I expect to happen that day?

Hello All,

What kind of Pre-Op tests should I expect to have at St Vincent Carmel?    I also have an afternoon appointment the same day to have a physical - - what should I expect to happen during that physical?   I know I have been told not to eat or drink anything after midnight - other than that I am not sure what will happen.

I just want to be prepared for whatever that day.  

Thanks

A lot depends on what your doctor ordered, but I'll tell you what I had in November:

I was taken back to a nice little room with a TV, bed, and recliner.  I sat in the recliner and watched TV while 8 or 9 tubes of blood were drawn.  There was also an H-Pylori test for the bacteria that causes ulcers.  I breathed into and inflated a little bag that was capped shut.  Then I had to drink some stuff (didn't taste bad), wait about 15 minutes, and blow into another bag.  Then I had a urine test ( which is difficult when you've not had anything to drink for about 10 hours!!).

A chest x-ray follows.

Then I had an upper GI series.  Now that was fun.  You get to drink the disgusting barium which is a white chalk milkshake.  Then stand on the platform, while they lower you to a reclining position.  Then you have to roll around 3 or 4 times to get the barium to coat your tummy so they can take pictures (and sell them on the internet).  Then while you are lying on your tummy, they give you more chalk to drink, this time out of a straw, so they can get pictures of your swallowing mechanism.

Then you get up, and they let you have a drink of water.  In my opinion, it takes tequila and limes to get that taste out of your mouth, but that was just me.

Then it's on to the next area - someone walks you through every station.  I had an ekg, followed by a respiratory test and discussion with a respiratory therapist.  There, you will be introduced to your new best friend - the Inhalation Spirometer.

That's the pre-op tests.

As for the physical, the Doc asked me a lot of questions about my medical history while he took notes on a laptop.  He covered about everything I think!  He then listened to my chest and lungs, checked my throat, ears, and eyes, and that was it.

Once you finish with the upper GI, you can eat and drink, so you should have time after you finish your pre op tests and before your physical to grab something.  I suggest St. V cafeteria, which has good food, as there's no fast food places close.

Good luck!

Hi--My RNY is with Dr Huse on Jan 8 and I had my pre op tests a week ago.  Everything was the same as what Christie said except I also had a gallbladder ultrasound. 

Physical was also the same--just a review of history and then listening to heart, lungs, throat, ears and etc.  and asked about any problems with previous anesthetic.

Good Luck,  Terry

Thanks Terry!  I had the gallbladder ultrasound too, and ... selective memory... I forgot about it!!

Many thanks for your replies.  Now I know what to expect.