Question:
can someone tell me what to expect at pre surgical testing.

Hello, i have bee scheduled for surgery for may 29th 2003 and i was wondering what do they have to do to you at pre surgical testing? it is just blood work or a whole day thing im not sure if i should take the day off from work.    — Maureen A. (posted on April 8, 2003)

April 8, 2003
Everyone's pre-surgical testing is different. If you are referring to the testing the do just a few days prior to surgery, I can only tell you about mine, since others may have different experiences. My pre-surgical testing was at the hospital where my surgery was performed. They just registered me, asked a bunch of questions, then took a couple of vials of blood to do testing and the results went to the surgeon's office, I think the whole thing lasted about 1/2 hour or so.
   — Heather S.

April 8, 2003
My pre-op testing took almost the entire day. My surgeon's office set up appointments that started around 8am and I didn't finish until about 1pm. The tests were all done at the hospital where I had the surgery and I just went from test to test with a little bit of waiting in between.
   — Yolanda J.

April 8, 2003
Pre-op testing took about 4 hours total but is nothing to get nervous or excited about. First of all they did an ultrasound of my stomach, gall bladder, heart, etc. Then on to xray for a chest xray. Then on to drinkig the barium and the upper GI - I was nervous about drinking the barium as I was told how aweful it was but it really wasn't that bad. Then on to the dietician. Receiving my breathing machine was next so that I could practice prior to surgery to prevent complications. That was about it - just a piece of cake!!!
   — Deb F.

April 8, 2003
I think it just depends on how your surgeon does things. I am going through BTC, and I had 4 hours of testing & waiting. The tests consisted of, bloodwork, urine sample, chest x-ray, gallbladder us, ekg, respitory tests, and a visit with the internal med. doctor. I think that was it, lol, like that wasn't enough. :o)
   — Cat S.

April 8, 2003
Every doc is different. Mine ordered EKG, chest x-ray, blood work, abdominal sonogram, urine pregnancy test (did all those in one morning). Also had to have a sleep study (took a machine home from the sleep lab-may have to have follow-up sleep study), pap smear and mammogram results (they accepted mine from last June), psych eval, upper endoscopy (that takes all day if you have to have it, as you will be sedated).
   — Carlita

April 8, 2003
I had to schedule my tests around my work. I took 3 days to get it all scheduled in. <P> I first had Chest Xrays (2 pics) about 30 minutes, then the Pulminary function (45 min) <P> next I had the gallbladder sonogram (30 mins), Upper GI (1 hr), and the nutritionist meeting (1 hr) <P> On another day I had the Stress Test (this was a long 2 part test I was there for 2 hrs, then had to return 3 hrs later for antoher 45 mins), and the EKG (all of 15 mins). <P> I already had the sleep study done and have a CPAP machine so I did not have to redo that test. <P> The only thing I have yet to do is the blood work tests that I can not have done until I have a surgery date (These have to be 'fresh' results)
   — Pookie B.

April 11, 2003
It depends on your doctor and what tests he want to run. I had to meet with him (waited for 2 hrs to see him... he had a surgury run over and put all his appts that day behind) then went to meet with the pre op nurse and anestheologist. took about hr and half to get in, and once i got in, was done in about 30 mins. they went did ekg and went over my living will and power of attorney, as well as asked me my medical history. again. for the 4th time. that day. after that, i went down to the labs, signed in and dropped off my paperwork, sat down, and got called in for blood work. they took 6 vials, but only took about 5 mins. i went to the next station, signed in and was called back for a chest xray. i was in at 1145 and out at 430.
   — mellyhudel