Why do doctors do additional tests?

[Guest Rosalind]

My doctor doesn't do additional testing before surgery. Maybe because I am otherwise healthy? Why do upper GI's and other test prior to surgery?

[Nancy Rivers 24]

What tests that are done before surgery really depends on the medical history of each individual patient. I had to do an EGD because I told my surgeon that I had the occasional acid reflux and he wanted to make sure there wasn't an ulcer or something before surgery. He ordered a complete blood panel and Vitamin levels before the surgery - but had my PCP do it because that way insurance would cover. The hospital required an EKG and blood typing before the surgery because it was a different hospital than I had used before.

Some doctors order more tests than this, but I didn't have to because of my medical history.

[ravenjeh 16]

I've wondered this too. My surgeon only requires routine bloodwork, UA, EKG and a chest x-ray, all done by your PCP (he doesn't do any lab work himself). Perhaps this is to help out us self-payers. Luckily, I'm heathy as a horse (besides being obese) so I don't think any of the extra tests would be too beneficial for me.

[Tiffykins 673]

The upper GI also helps diagnose a pre-existing hiatal hernia which would need to be repaired while in there. This also looks for damage to the esophagus from reflux, or other issues with esophagus/stomach motility.

I had to have labworks with all the bells and whistles, chest xray, eKg, and U/A for pre-op diagnostics. We had done u/s of my port, and band placement along with a fluoroscopy as well for my band.

[ravenjeh 16]

While on the subject, I have another question. Do you guys think the barium swallow is really important post op? I don't think my surgeon does it, unless he does it only a couple of hours after surgery because he does the sleeve as an outpatient procedure. I see him on Tuesday and I will definitely ask if he does it, but I think I would feel better if I had one...

[Tiffykins 673]

While on the subject, I have another question. Do you guys think the barium swallow is really important post op? I don't think my surgeon does it, unless he does it only a couple of hours after surgery because he does the sleeve as an outpatient procedure. I see him on Tuesday and I will definitely ask if he does it, but I think I would feel better if I had one...

Since barium is NOT Water soluble, my surgeon doesn't use it. He uses gastrographin solution.

If it would not have been for the leak test, my leak would have gone undetected. Grant it, I was a revision patient so my risk for a leak was quadrupled.

There are several very experienced, well-known surgeons that only perform the one in the OR, and nothing post-op via a swallow test.

[ravenjeh 16]

Thanks, Tiff! That makes me feel better

Since barium is NOT Water soluble, my surgeon doesn't use it. He uses gastrographin solution.

If it would not have been for the leak test, my leak would have gone undetected. Grant it, I was a revision patient so my risk for a leak was quadrupled.

There are several very experienced, well-known surgeons that only perform the one in the OR, and nothing post-op via a swallow test.

[Indymom 132]

I did a litany of tests pre-op: bloodwork (10 vials!), urinalysis, chest x-ray, ultrasound, upper GI (barium=YUCK), EKG, and pulmonary function testing. Other than mild hypertension I had no other health problems and my BMI was only 45. I was perfectly comfortable with all that, though - I figured the more pre-testing they did, the better likelihood of identifying anything that could cause potential problems with surgery.