Question:
What tests are done at your last visit before surgery.Do not leave anything out.
I am nervouse about this visit. Does everyone have to have a blood gas test and what other tests do they do? I am just trying to get myself ready emotionally for it all. I know everyone is different but I would rather know something before they do it. And if they do not need to do it to me then that is even better. Thank for your help. Katrina ;o) — katrinaleusby (posted on May 31, 2001)
May 31, 2001
Hi Katrina again. I dont want to sound like I have all the answers, but you
sound nervous like I did before my surgery. It really helped me to have
people to talk to about it. On the pre-op visit I had 10 days before
surgery, they did all the blood work, an EKG, a chest xray, an abdominal
ultrasound and an Upper GI. I have to admit the Upper GI was the nastiest
tasting stuff I ever had. But all in all it was over pretty soon. None of
the tests were painful. And I did all the paperwork and had a great Nurse
to answer any questions I had. She covered everything I could think of.
Then I went to the floor and looked at 1 of the rooms I would be in. It
made be feel better to know what would be happening on the day of surgery.
If you want to talk, email me. God Bless, Leah
— leah D.
May 31, 2001
Katrina, At my pre-op testing I just had a chest x-ray, an EKG and a simple
blood test. It was quick and painless :)
— Gail M.
May 31, 2001
I had all of the tests mentioned, inc ABG in 1993. But when revised, they
skipped that and did the PFT only. Pulmonary Function Test--breathe into
machines. Time consuming, not unpleasant. AND an EGD. They test the
daylights out of us! That's OK, I wanted to wake up! But it takes all
day.
— vitalady
May 31, 2001
It depends on your current state of health. I had only blood work done --
simple, one prick of a needle.
— Cindy H.
May 31, 2001
I only had two very simple tests the week before surgery. I had an UGI
(which consisted of drinking some nasty tasting liquids and changing
positions while on a table) and a Gall Bladder ultrasound. NO labwork, ekg,
pft's,-- nothing. It was very simple and painless. If you really want to
know, call your surgeon's office and ask them what tests they require. Then
you might find out that you've been worrying for nothing. Shelley
— Shelley.
May 31, 2001
I just did all this on the 22nd and found that I got a thousand different
answers... even from my surgeons office. You see the pre op tests are based
on your current medical status.
Count on a regular blood test... just regular venous blood.
I once took Phen Phen (didnt we all...lol) so next was an echocardiogram...
which is a glop of warm gelee on my chest and an ultrasound 'microphone'
smooshed into my chest.
Gall Bladder Ultrasound... a different table, with more warm gelee on the
right lower abdomen... squish that probe into my side... wow, is that a
gallstone or a marble?
An upper GI... mine involved tossing back a small shot of powder similar to
a crushed Alka Seltzer and washing it down with water... then drinking a
container of thick unpleasantly flavored cherry milkshake. It was chilled
and a thick plastic straw made it not so bad. The technicians are very good
at rushing you to drink it so you dont get all wussie about it and take
forever. You then roll around on a table while they quickly take pictures.
The worst part of this test was having to gulp another bottle of the
milkshake while they are actually taking the pictures. All in all not a big
deal.
I too feared the dreaded blood gas... ARTERIAL BLOOD OH NO!
However, I must say that the man who drew the sample was an expert and it
didnt hurt at all. Hold your arm still, keep your muscles relaxed and dont
move a hair... it wont hurt any more than a regular venipuncture. It is in
your wrist and that is what is scarier in my opinion. It hurt like a black
and blue mark two days later but didnt hurt at all when done.
Oh yes, I had a regular EKG as well... a meeting with the anesthesiologist
and the nutritionist.
Hope yours goes as well as mine did!
— SusanMaria
May 31, 2001
Hey! I had my tests today so they are still fresh in my memory! First was
a gall bladder ultrasound where the check for stones & they take
pictures of your liver & bile ducts... then it's off to the chest x-ray
to make sure your lungs & abdomen are clear I suppose & finally the
nasty Upper GI-- Can't wait to poop white rocks! Okay, that was a little
blunt- sorry!
— sgeisendorff
May 31, 2001
Every doctor is different. The only tests I had were blood tests and not
even the blood gasses. It was a piece of cake! If you're worried about it
call the doctor's office and ask what tests they normally require so you're
prepared.
— georgiacarol
June 1, 2001
My surgery is scheduled for the end of July and so far I have had an EKG,
Chest X-ray, Upper GI, Pulmonary Function Tests, sleep study and tons of
blood work...20 tubes worth, Yikes!!! Two weeks before surgery I have to
have some more blood work, type and cross, etc....
— Elizabeth C.
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