Question:
I had a complete physical ten months ago...do I need to do it ALL over again??

My last total physical was about ten and a half months ago. I had an upper G.I., chest x-rays, EKG, bladder/pelvic ultrasound, pretty much everything. I haven't had any recent health problems to suggest a new ailment. I realize I will probably have to do the bloodwork (CBC) stuff beforehand, but do I really need to do everything over again? What a pain. What do most surgeons want done before wls?    — [Anonymous] (posted on September 13, 2000)

September 13, 2000
Since I didn't indicate any co-morbs or ailments other than bad knees, I only had the following pre-op tests: EKG, CBC, gallbladder ultrasound and a respiratory test, pretty standard stuff. But it all depends on how you answer the questionnaire and your doctor, but if you can get your hands on the results of those tests, I'm sure it would be helpful. Good Luck!
   — Allie B.

September 13, 2000
I had the same dilemna. I asked my surgeon if I could get the test results instead of having all that stuff redone. He said that would be fine. Just ask your surgeon. Since it's been less that a year, he might just accept the reports. Saves you time and money...and him too.
   — Keri A.

September 13, 2000
Hi, In our area of the country a pre-op H & P (History and Physical) has to be done within 15 days before surgery. It is a hospital requirement and they all seem to follow the same rule. They have their lab requirements also, pregnancy, under certain age...CBC, urine, etc. chest xray. Then there is what the surgeon orders, and the pcp. The surgeon and pcp are likely to share results. Each one has his own package. Mention it was done, you may have to repeat but it can't hurt.
   — JennyLynn A.

September 13, 2000
Hi. I hadn't had a complete physical done in a couple years, but I'd had a sonogram done on my gall bladder 7 months prior to my surgery. Since the main reason for the pre-op sonogram was to determine if I had did or didn't have gall stones and the lab report I'd submitted confirmed that I did, my surgeon accepted it and I didn't have to have another one done with the rest of my pre-op testing. I sure that even tho' it's a "pain" to have all the pre-op testing repeat the tests that were already done not too awful long ago, it's still to your advantage to MAKE SURE that there's nothing different before you go into the operating room. It takes some time getting all the tests done, but it's time well spent. Even with all the tests I'd had (with the exception of the sonogram), my surgeon still found a little surprise (an incisional hernia) when I actually had the procedure done. Good luck and God bless, cj
   — cj T.

September 14, 2000
My physical was 7 months before my surgery. I had to have a pre-operative appointment with my PCP and then the blood work re-done the week before surgery. The preop appointment was sort of a miniphysical, but with more of an emphasis on how I would hold up during surgery. My PCP gave me copies of the results of my earlier bloodwork and the physical for my surgeon's reference.
   — Sharyle L.