Preparing for surgery often involves more than scheduling your procedure. Many patients need laboratory tests, heart testing, imaging, or other evaluations before surgery to make sure it's safe to proceed.
The specific tests you'll need depend on your age, medical history, medications, and the type of surgery you're having. Understanding what to expect can help you complete everything on time and reduce the chance of last-minute delays.
Pre-operative testing helps identify medical conditions that could affect your surgery or anesthesia.
Testing can help your healthcare team:
Many patients worry when they're asked to complete several tests. In most cases, this is simply part of routine preparation rather than a sign that something is wrong.
You may learn more about this process during your Pre-Op Appointment.
Depending on your situation, your healthcare team may order one or more of the following.
Blood work is one of the most common parts of surgical preparation.
Common blood tests may evaluate:
These results help your team identify issues that may need attention before surgery.
Some surgeries require a urine sample to check for infection or other concerns.
Treating an infection before surgery can reduce the risk of complications.
An ECG measures your heart's electrical activity.
You may need one if you:
Many healthy younger patients do not require an ECG.
Chest X-rays are no longer performed routinely for everyone.
Your provider may order one if you have:
Patients who could be pregnant may have pregnancy testing before surgery because anesthesia and some medications can affect pregnancy.
No.
Testing has become much more individualized than it was years ago.
A healthy patient having a minor outpatient procedure may need very little testing.
Someone with multiple medical conditions or a more complex operation may require several tests and additional medical clearance.
Complete your testing as soon as your surgical team recommends.
Waiting until the last minute can create problems if:
Completing testing early gives your healthcare team time to review everything before your procedure.
Abnormal results don't automatically mean your surgery will be canceled.
Sometimes your healthcare team simply needs:
Many issues can be addressed before surgery if they're identified early.
It depends.
Some blood tests require fasting, while others do not.
Always follow the instructions provided by your surgeon, pre-operative clinic, or laboratory.
Your testing instructions may be different from your surgery fasting instructions.
A few simple steps can help everything stay on schedule:
Good preparation makes the days leading up to surgery much less stressful.
You can also review our Prepare for Surgery Checklist to make sure you've completed all the important steps before your procedure.
Yes. If required testing isn't completed or reviewed before surgery, your procedure may need to be postponed for safety reasons.
No. The type and amount of testing depend on your health and the procedure you're having.
Many results remain valid for several weeks, but this varies by test, medical condition, and hospital policies. Your surgical team will tell you if any testing needs to be repeated.
Sometimes recent results can be used, but not always. Ask your surgeon whether previous testing meets their requirements.
The more you know ahead of time, the more confident you will feel. Get your personalized surgery checklist to help you feel confident before surgery.
Get Your Surgery PlanThis article provides general educational information and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always follow the instructions provided by your healthcare team.
Resources:
Prepare for Surgery
Surgery Preparation Checklist (Free PDF)
Surgery Day Guide
Recovery Roadmap (Free PDF)
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Educational information only. Always follow your surgeon's instructions.