Question:
What are the

I am having surg in April and was just wondering what the standard tests are that eveyone has before surgey? Just want to make sure nothing important is missed. (nervouse nelly) lol Thanks!!    — Kim R. (posted on January 10, 2003)

January 10, 2003
Hi Kim... I don't know if there is a standard, there are so many different Dr's and Surgeons whose "plan" differs. I can tell you the tests I had: Blood work - six tubes for various tests, Urinalysis, Pulmonary function test with arterial blood gases, REE body composition, chest x-ray, upper GI, gall bladder ultrasound and sleep study. The blood tests were to see my CBC or blood counts, they checked potassium levels, glucose, cholesterol, thyroid, liver function, I'm not sure what else, urinalysis they looked for glucose and protein levels, pulmonary function was breathing tests to check the lungs, arterial blood gases was for oxygen saturation in the blood, REE body composition showed % of lean muscle, water, and fat, upper GI checked for any abnormalities in the digestive tract like hiatal hernias, ultrasound to check the gall bladder, and the sleep study (only required by my DR for people whose neck diameter was over 17 inches) to test for sleep apnea. Hope this helps.
   — Gina C.

January 10, 2003
Hi Kim - Looks like Gina did a great job as mine will pretty much be the same. However I do not need the REE body composition as far as I know, abdominal ultrasound because I've already had my galbladder removed. I'm also hoping I do not need the upper GI series because the surgeon will be scoping my stomach to make sure I do not have any new stomach polyps. So hopefully I get to skip the lovely drink. I've done it before and it wasn't too bad - I survived. I had to have a sleep study but I'm guessing it was because of my weight. He just found it had to believe that someone who weighs 432 lbs did not have sleep apnea and turns out in my case he was right. My neck is not as big as some people so I don't think it had anything to do with the size of my neck.<p>As you can tell there are standards and then there are things specific to each person and their medical history. I'm sure your doctor will do everything that is necessary for you.
   — zoedogcbr

January 11, 2003
I think it depends a lot on what your surgeon recommends and also what kind of health problems you may have pre-op. I had a ton of blood work, urinalysis, abdominal sonogram, chest X-ray, gynocological exam, Cardiologist consult, Psychologist consult., nutricianist consult and also a sleep study.
   — Leah H.