Pre op physical

My girlfriend has a pre op physical next Friday for her surgery she is having and was just wondering what all is involved as I am tagging along with her to make sure she has support.

They'll ask about allergies and possible previous reactions to anesthetics. They will check to make sure heart, lungs, abdomen, nervous system, muscles are all working normally and that there are no signs of any cold,flu or other infections. Beyond that, we'd need to know what type of surgery she has scheduled.

Depends on the surgery and age of patient. They're going to ask a lot of questions regarding past surgery and anesthesia, allergies, medications and known diseases. If it's difficult or involving big parts of body, maybe a cardiology consultation.

Pre-op physical part has been abbreviated when I've been examined. Heart & lungs for sure, although these days they just listen over your shirt.

Agree it depends on the surgery, past history, medications, and general health. I had a very cursory Preop exam for my ankle surgery. My PCP did it and was familiar with my general health. My wife was scheduled for an extensive surgery projected for 10 hours under anesthesia (turned out to be 13 hours) and it was very thorough. They needed an echocardiogram, a CAT scan and an ENT release to give her the go ahead. That’s a long time to be knocked out and they were extremely cautious. A few years later at the same hospital for a DaVinci surgery, they had good medical history on her and the doc only asked questions about meds and any new isssues. He actually came into the exam room with the post visit paperwork already filled out as well as the release form. They tell you to hold off on certain meds prior to the surgery, such as blood pressure etc, any aspirin or other blood meds.

So her surgery is on her septum and it is with a doctor she has never seen before.

So her surgery is on her septum and it is with a doctor she has never seen before.

No. They were concerned about the possibility of a possible bteathing restriction while under anesthesia for an extended period. Something showed up in the Preop CAT scan they wanted to rule out. It was with neurosurgeon familiar with her and a plastic surgeon we had been reffed to who saw her three times prior to th operation. The big issue was how she would tolerate being under anesthesia for an extended period.

The point is, the Preop exams really are to assess risk. In one case for my wife the risk was percieved to be high due the length under anesthesia, in the other case it was low.

@Rigel oh sorry I mean my girlfriends surgery is on her septum and her pre op exam is with a doctor she hasn't seen before

@Rigel oh sorry I mean my girlfriends surgery is on her septum and her pre op exam is with a doctor she hasn't seen before

Protocols vary between hospitals, and the Preop doc should have access to medical history of your girlfriend before he sees her. They basically access risk based on the type of surgery and general health of the patient. Both of my wife’s Preop docs never saw her before but had her medical records. I suspect if she’s healthy, no heart, lung or med issues, it will be a cake walk! 😀. Best of luck for a quick recovery and successful outcome!

I recently had an emergency appendectomy and was more or less given a complete physical in various stages by 3 providers (NP, ED Doctor and surgeon). I was asked about mobility issues. I don't have any mobility issues (I exercise 5 days per week) but due to my abdominal pain I couldn't squat, bend over or duck walk. I had my genitals examined but no turn your head and cough.Due to my symptoms I had to endure a rectal exam which was quite painful. I had an ECG just prior to the surgery.

@Doctorzacho it depends on the surgery, but it's not super in depth if the patient is young and healthy. A pre-op physical is really a risk assessment and most docs won't be super thorough unless there's a reason she's higher risk.

What I remember about my pre- op physical was it was just a general checking of blood pressure, heart sounds, and lung sounds. A review of the medication I was currently on. We discussed the surgery and what was suppose to happen and what I was to do the 24 hours prior. We discussed any concerns I had about the surgery and that I may just have in general.

Just about every scheduled surgery I've had included an EKG. Other details varied, but (other than routine vitals), the EKG was a constant.

Years ago it was common to do a chest x-ray but not so much now. Anesthesiologist will probably order an ECG and listen to her lungs and heart.

I always wondered about this. Awhile back I got a complet physical in bed the day before surgery. Doc came in, pulled my gown aside and gave me a top-down physical, including genitals and rectum. I really didn't think it was necessary, especially the genitals and rectum. I figured it was just so he could add an extra charge.

An enema was usually required before surgery too (no matter what you were having done). I guess they figured you might poop while you were out, maybe?

When I was a kid, I always got one early the morning of surgery. That was kind of a miserable wake-up, opening your eyes to a nurse standing there with an enema and having it shoved in befor I was even awake.

So we went yesterday for her physical. They called her name and took her back to take her height and weight. Then we were taken to an exam room and her o2 levels and blood pressure were taken which were in the normal range. Then they asked questions about her medical history and what medicine she took. Then the nurse left and we waited for the doctor. Then the doctor came in and introduced himself. He told her yo get on the table and he checked her ears, had her open her mouth and say ahh, felt her neck, then listened to her heart, had her take deep breaths and listened to her lungs. Then she laid down on the table and he felt her belly (it was my favorite part to watch). Then he had felt her legs and feet to see if there was any swelling. After that ge told her she was in good enough shape to proceed with surgery so next week we are going to the hospital for her septoplasty