If you’re scheduled for an upcoming surgery, you may wonder why you need a preoperative physical and what it entails. Comprehensive preoperative physicals ensure your safety and well-being, and that your body is ready to handle the stresses of surgery.
Read on as Monsur Ali, DO, and our team at Candid Primary Care in Coppell, Texas, explore what a preoperative physical entails, its importance, and the steps involved in conducting this examination.
Understanding the purpose
A preoperative physical serves several crucial purposes:
- Helps your surgical team assess your overall health status
- Used to identify any pre-existing conditions that may affect your surgery or anesthesia
- Determines your readiness for the procedure.
To put it simply, the examination allows Dr. Ali to gather essential information so your surgeons can optimize their surgical plan and minimize potential risks.
Medical history and assessment
During your preoperative physical, Dr. Ali conducts a detailed review of your medical history. This includes discussions about previous surgeries, chronic medical conditions, allergies, current medications, and any family history of anesthesia-related complications.
It’s important to provide accurate and complete information to ensure your health care team has a comprehensive understanding of your health status.
Physical examination
The physical examination typically involves a comprehensive assessment of your vital signs, including blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature. Dr. Ali also listens to your heart and lungs, examines your abdomen, and evaluates other specific areas, depending on the type of surgery you’ll undergo.
The purpose is to detect any abnormalities that may require further investigation or influence the surgical approach.
Laboratory tests and diagnostic procedures
In some cases, your preoperative physical may include specific laboratory tests and diagnostic procedures to gather additional information. These may include blood tests, urine tests, an electrocardiogram (ECG), chest X-rays, or other imaging studies 一 all of which can be performed in our on-site lab.
These tests help assess organ function, detect infections, evaluate blood clotting abilities, and provide a baseline for comparison after your surgery.
Medication and supplement review
During your examination, Dr. Ali also reviews your current medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and any supplements. Some medications may need to be adjusted or temporarily stopped before your surgery due to potential interactions or effects on your procedure.
Some supplements and vitamins 一 including fish oil, ginkgo, vitamin E, and garlic一 can increase your risk of bleeding, so these should be stopped prior to surgery. Others can affect how anesthesia works, so always bring an up-to-date list of medications and supplements, even those that are over-the-counter.
Preoperative instructions
After your physical examination, our team provides you with specific preoperative instructions as applicable. These instructions may include guidelines for fasting before your surgery, restrictions on certain activities or medications, and details about when and where to report on the day of your procedure.
You may also receive specific instructions from the hospital where your surgery will be performed. It’s crucial to follow these instructions closely to ensure a smooth and safe surgical experience.
Need to schedule a preoperative physical?
Getting cleared for surgery means you’re one step closer to your procedure! Although the thought of surgery can be overwhelming, remember that your preoperative physical is designed to help you have a safer surgery and address any potential red flags.