Question:
What can I expect in terms of medical test prior to surgery?

I need to know if I need to plan time away from work for test at the hospital prior to the actual surgery date. I'm a teacher and I cannot schedule anything that conflicts with exams, but I wanted to have the surgery the first day of summer break. Please help so I can plan.    — Pamela W. (posted on March 22, 2000)

March 22, 2000
I am happy to tell about my pre-op, but you should call your clinic and ask what their particular procedure is. Each clinic/doctor has their own list of tests. I was at the clinic/hospital for the better part of a day, 4 days before my surgery date. The tests included chest x-ray, physical and meeting with surgeon, ultrasound, EKG, meeting with anesthesiologist, blood work, reviewing pre-op procedure at clinic, hospital preadmissions, meeting with hosptial nurse. Needless to say I was exhausted after getting through that maze, but everything was done ahead so on the day of surgery all I had to do was walk in. Hope this helps.
   — Jilda H.