Question:
Why can't the Dr. look at your toenails instead?

This may sound silly....Just wondered why the Dr. looks at your finger nails for oxygen levels...why not look at toe nails?    — Kim W. (posted on April 10, 2003)

April 10, 2003
I think the reason is the hands are much closer to where the anesthesiologist stands then your feet are. HE is the one watching your vitlas during surgery. Wendy
   — Wendy H.

April 10, 2003
Hi Kim. I was told that I had to take both thumb nails off for my surgery. I thought about how ridiculous I'd look with my thumb nails off and just chose to take the whole set off. About 10 days after surgery, I treated myself to a new set! I just had them removed again for my hernia repair and had another new set put on. To me, having a nice fresh set of nails made the couple of weeks without them worth while. Good Luck!
   — Pam S.

April 10, 2003
Because 1)your feet are usually under a blanket or a drape 2) your feet, post-op, may be in socks or some type of anti-embolism stocking. And what the previous poster said about the anesthesiologist.
   — Kim A.

April 11, 2003
They don't just LOOK at your fingernails. They also attach a sensor - sort of like a clothespin - to a finger and it reads the level of oxygen in your blood through your fingernail. (Pulse oximeter). Most people have thinner nails on their fingers than their toes! Having acrylic or other false nails can interfere with the readings. And, like the other poster said, your toes are too far away for observation. Also, your toes may be cooler (blood vessels more constricted). It used to be that you couldn't even have nail polish on - not even clear!
   — koogy

April 11, 2003
I have been using acrylic nails for many years. I've had two surgeries in that time, gallbladder removal and my WLS. I did not have to even remove my polish either time. Don't know what else they used, but it wasn't an issue. I'm sure they didn't use my toes.
   — garw

April 11, 2003
I am 4 days post op. I had my surgery at Fresno Surgery Center, with my acrylic nails and polish. Also polish on my toes.They put the clip on my finger, right over acrylic and polish. No problem at all!!
   — Myra B.