Question:
Pre-op medical exam
I am going thru the process of getting to the surgery. What kind of exam do you have to have before surgery? One page I was on today talked about needing an ekg, cardiogram.....is this necessary for everyone or is the medical exam just a normal exam with a urine test and blood work? — She_Be_Me (posted on March 22, 2009)
March 22, 2009
hi sherry im still going thru the steps myself but i do not have to have
either of these cause i was young they said but most that are older do so
im told only had to have psyh exam and then ill have to have urine and
bloodwork
— sl1pp1nghalo
March 22, 2009
I had to have an EKG (echocardiogram after that), blood tests (a lot),
barium swallow (like endoscopy), sleep study (for sleep apnea),
nutritionist's evaluation, psychological evaluation and arterial blood gas
test for Duke. Lots and lots of stuff:) It took me 14 months to get to
have my surgery. Have patience and Good luck...
Sincerely,
Rena RNY 4/30/08 Duke, NC
110 lbs; 117 lbs lost forever!!!
— RenaMansi
March 22, 2009
I think most doctors order up what's appropriate for you based on your
personal health status and the type of surgery you will have. For me, I
have a history of ulcers so mine did an EGD to rule those out. I have a
friend who has a heart condition so an EKG was necessary for her.
— Arkin10
March 22, 2009
I had to have an EKG and a consultation with a respiratory therapist as
part of the pre-op routine for the hospital where my surgery was being
done. Those weren't ordered by my surgeon - they were just hospital
protocol. My surgeon required that I have a physical within six weeks prior
to my surgery date (even though I'd had one less than a year before) and a
psychological evaluation, and I had to attend a nutritional seminar. It was
all very simple and I'd do it all again in a heartbeat if I had to!
— lauren_marie
March 22, 2009
My surgeon required an EKG, a Stress Test, a Pulmonology Test, a
psychological profile, a gazillion lab tests, and in some cases a sleep
study. You can check out his reasoning at www.denverbariatrics.com....
— Erica Alikchihoo
March 22, 2009
I just had my rny last friday. My pre op was an ekg, chest xray, and 4
vials of blood and thats it. No arterial blood gases, wow, that would seem
extreme, and no urine test.
— sassy1696
March 22, 2009
Every doc is different. In the case of Drs. Graber/Fitzer at Utica, you
fill out a long assessment up front, and based on that they choose what you
need. EVERYONE in that practice has a full pre-op physcial exam by your
primary provider, a big whack of blood work within 30 days of surgery, and
EKG with 3 months of surgery. Some folks who have sleep apnea issues are
required to have a sleep study. Then on the day before surgery you have
another smaller set of exams by anesthetist, nurses who go over it all
again and plan your care, as well as nutritionist who makes sure again that
you understand the post-op course of eating. That's our situation under
the excellent care of Dr. Graber and Fitzer.
— mountainmike
March 23, 2009
I had my first meeting with my surgeons assistant on October 31st and am
having my VSG sugery this Wednesday. I had to have blood work, EKG, chest
exray, pullmonary function test, sleep study (and found I do have sleep
apnea), psyc evaluation and nutrition counselin. They determined what test
I needed to have after evauluatin my situation and issues I was having. You
will probably find out upon your first meeting what they will need. As far
as I can tell many doctors do different things. Even in this area, I have a
friend preparing for WLS too and she is going through a different office
and having a very different experience. It takes time and it is all
determined my your insurance requirements and the doctors choices. I hope
everything goes well for you during this journey.
— Lisa von Wallmenich
March 23, 2009
You are about to have surgery sweetie...and half the complications of
having ANY surgery is the stress of putting you under...They need to check
out your major functions! I'd be glad they were having you totally checked
out before! I had so many tests and "procedures" before surgery
that the last 6 months I was at the docs office or lab or some different
part of the hospital twice a month for different things! I had HUGE check
list of stuff that had to be done prior to surgery day...It kept me busy
while waiting...(My surgeon had a year long waiting list! He's a busy
dude!) Yeah, I'd say the tests are important and this coming from a
doctor/hospital-phobic :)
— .Anita R.
March 23, 2009
Everyone's doctor is different and everyone's tests are going to be a
little bit different based on your current health and any problems you
might have. Best place to ask these questions is your doctor.
— Shirley D.
March 23, 2009
Every Dr. is diffrent, I am scheduled for my surgery on 04/29/09 and I have
to have an EKG, Chest X-ray and blood work done within 30 days of surgery
then I meet w/the dr. 2 weeks before surgery.
— teddybearlove
March 23, 2009
I had a ekg/cardiogram, blood work, and psych eval. Had I known about an
endoscopy, I would definitely had that done. Some of the tests, the
insurance will require before they will approve. Best wishes on your
journey.
— Corina C
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