Question:
Can anyone give me a list of tests?

Can anyone give me a definitive list of the tests one goes through after a surgery date is scheduled? I would appreciated any elaboration on ecah test, if possible. Thanks! Scott    — Scott D. (posted on January 10, 2005)

January 10, 2005
Every surgeons/insurance companies requirements are different. For example, some doctors require psych and pulmonology evaluations, others don't. You doctor should provide you with a list of tests and requirements you have to meet. Good luck with your upcoming surgery!
   — SMG I.

January 10, 2005
At my clinic, the following are required: financial counseling (insurance quotage), social worker (to see how strong your support system is, mainly), medical history (self-explanatory), exercise counsult (stress test on treadmill), medical assessment (like a physical), nutrition (meeting with dietician about pre-and post-op requirements), labs (bloodwork), REE/Body comp (most relaxing test I ever took, 12 minutes of lying down and breathing quietly!), arterial blood gas (wrist stick), upper GI(barium swallow to check for issues w/GI tract), gall bladder ultrasound (also self-explanatory, checking for gallstones), group session (my clinic requires 4 pre-op), and psychologist (to make sure you're sane). Most clinics don't require this much testing, but I'm glad mine does.
   — Draconic One

January 10, 2005
I was required to have a Pulmonary Consult, Cardiac Clearance, Pre Op Testing (X-Rays,Blood Work and I think Urinanalysis). I had problems in the winter with lungs so my breathing tests were still good for testing. They were easy....blowing into a ballon. The Cardiac clearance was EKG and a Stress Test. I hated the stress test...it was chemically induced since I could not get on their equipment without breaking it. I did not have to do a Psych evaluation but I have heard some Drs require that. Then I had to get clearance from my primary Dr. No testing was required there.
   — dcox94

January 10, 2005
I was only required to do major blood work (thyroid functions, serum cortisol, etc), and EKG, and hemmocult testing. I was fortunate that I had had recent physicals and had an all-clear from all of those. My doc sometimes sends folks for a psych eval but didn't feel I needed one. He also requires a sleep apnea test if there is any indication you have such a problem.
   — karenisahogfan

January 11, 2005
Each doctor or facility is diffrent and to get a real picture of what you will need you should contact your doctor and ask what they require. At Barix Clinics they do all the test at their facility and if something is abnormal then they require you get clearence form a specialist. I had to give 5 tubes of blood, a cup of urine, Pulmanry test where I breath into a machine several times and a computer gives a read out of how strong my lungs are, a blood gas test were they took blood from my wrist but not a vein, chest x-ray, ultrasound of stomach and goal bladder. Good luck Sharon
   — JerseyGirl