Question:
Is it standard policy for bariatric surgeons to order an arterial blood gas?

I want to know if this is routine testing or do surgeons order ABG's for a specific reason such as sleep apnea? A friend of mine had her surgery yesterday and she said the surgeon we both have ordered one on her. Out of all the info his office sent me, I didn't read anything about a required ABG.    — SnowWhiteDove459 (posted on January 3, 2001)

January 3, 2001
I don't know much about what it is, but I do know my surgeon required one for me:)
   — M B.

January 3, 2001
My doctor is definitely on the minimalist side when it comes to ordering presurgery tests, but this was one that I did have. Not sure what it was for but that and an EKG and the psych eval I think were all that I had to do.
   — Beth B.

January 3, 2001
I only had to have the PFT. Until it didn't look so good. THEN I had to have the AGB. When I had my TT and later revision, I passed the PFT, so no AGB was required. (Whew!)
   — vitalady

January 3, 2001
Pulmonary function tests and arterial blood gases are pre-op tests most often ordered for those patients with a previous history of respiratory problems. They were not routine tests ordered by my surgeon, but I'm sure had they been indicated, he would have done so. Often, it is not the surgeon, but the anesthesia department who want these tests done. Leave this matter to the discretion of your surgeon/anesthesiologist, trusting that they have your best interest at heart.
   — Diana T.

January 3, 2001
I had two as I know of post-op. Maybe more under anesthesia. I have asthma so I was also followed by a pulmanologist post-op. The first one, the tech got it on the first shot, the second one took a few trys. The were tolerable.
   — Jan M.

January 4, 2001
With my surgeon, Dr. Anthone at USC University Hospital, this is standard for everyone. To see a complete list of my preop tests, you can visit <a href="http://www.mywls.com/Pre-Op/Pre-Op_Tests/pre-op_tests.html">My website</a>. Good luck to you!
   — [Deactivated Member]

January 4, 2001
My surgeon required this to be done. It's no big deal.
   — Paula G.

January 4, 2001
An arterial blood gas measures the levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and a few other chemicals n your blood to make sure you are getting enough oxygen and that everything related to that is in balance. Its done if there is any doubt about adequacy of lung function or heart/lung combination function.
   — Jesse M.