Blood Work Necessary Before Rhinoplasty?

Several studies, including a large study at Mayo Clinic in 1997, show no benefit to pre-operative lab testing for otherwise healthy adults (except for a pre-op pregnancy test, of course, in females of child-bearing age). Although some surgeons get blood work, there is no scientific basis behind it.
Quoting from the Mayo study:
"We conclude that patients who have been assessed by history and physical examination and determined to have no preoperative indication for laboratory tests can safely undergo anesthesia and operation with tests obtained only as indicated intraoperatively and post-operatively. Current anesthetic and medical practices rapidly identify perioperative indications for laboratory evaluation as they arise."
I only advocate testing where there are known pre-op conditions where the test results will determine how to manage the patient intra-op and post-op. These are mostly in reconstructive patients. For cosmetic patients, we set the bar pretty high on who's healthy enough to even be considered for surgery.
All the best,
--DCP

Heather,
The only test that really required for a young woman is a pregnancy test. If you have no history of bleeding problems, bruising or anemia, then blood testing is like wearing a belt and suspenders. It doesn't hurt to get it done, but it's not a requirement in this patient group. Good luck!