Pre-Op appointment/procedures - what happens?

MyJourneys

Does everyone have a pre-op appointment? What happens during that? I haven't had one - I'm just going straight into surgery in a week. I wonder if I was supposed to have a pre-op surgical appointment, but fell through the cracks. (Not a comfortable, confidence-inspiring feeling right before surgery.)

RedemptiveSufferer

Good question! I'll be following. I know I'm to have one Thurs. following my appt. w/the plastic surgeon. His office schedules it with the hospital...not sure why but that's how it's done here. My surgery is one week from tomorrow. Wonder if you should call your surgeon's office about it? Hopefully someone more knowledgeable will chime in here. :-)

tlgio17

Hi MyJourneys,

I have my pre-op scheduled tomorrow and surgery is Dec 6th. They told me they check all the meds you currently take and also do some basic tests like EKG, make sure you have current blood work on file, etc.

I would call and double check--maybe they already have all that info on file already for you?

If anything calling and talking to them to confirm if you need it or not will make you feel better. We have enough on our minds, right?

Take care,

Traci

Beatmon

Have you even met the surgeon? I would want an appointment prior without a doubt. I had about 45 minutes with my surgeon before surgery. Answered all the questions my hub and I had at the time...too bad we didn't know more to ask

MyJourneys

Thanks, ladies! I emailed and they said they don't do extra blood work, etc. for breast surgery. I've met with my BS in person twice, and talked to her on the phone once. She's always been very responsive to my questions, and thorough in her answers, so I trust her.

I'm just nervous. I've never had surgery before. I've had four children, all natural, so feel completely out of my depth with this.

Icantri

Hey MyJourneys,


I had a preop visit that wasn't really a preop as all I did was sign a consent form. The nurse told me that they' don't really do the workups they used to do with blood work and chest X-ray, ekg, etc. I did answer a lot of questions by phone though, which I appreciated instead of another appt. They will ask all kinds of questions the morning of surgery too. Try not to stress.

Goincrzy8

Myjourneys I had my preop today: Chest xray, EKG, and she is sending me for labs. Protime(for blood clotting), cbc and a metabolic panel.

Icantri I am surprised no labs work etc, I work for a dr and before he does any surgeries, he has them do labs and make sure they are cleared for surgery.

Icantri

I did have a CBC but it was such a minor inconvenience I forgot! Sorry for misrepresenting.

They did do thorough questioning by phone to assess risks and current existing conditions and meds

Icantri

another point of note is that all my medical history is in their system, and my primary care doc is in same clinic. Maybethis is the case for MyJourneys too?

Wicked

I had pre-op appts for both my lumpectomies and mastectomies. They did bloodwork, took history, and I had to have a physical with my primary care, which could not occur more than 30 days prior to surgery. They did an EKG before my lumpectomies and that was good for my mastectomies as well, as it had to be within 6 months. They also told me they require a pregnancy test before surgery for all pre-menopausal women. This cannot be done more than a week before. I'm in the US. I signed my consents at a separate appt.