Blood Work and EKG for Smart Lipo?

I am a 44-year-old woman who is having Smart Lipo in Feb 2010. My doctor wants me to do blood work (which I understand) and an EKG. Why would he request this second test? I am healthy, but do have reactions to anesthesia (I have had Smart Lipo with level 1 sedation and was nauseated afterward, but he said he can counteract that with medicine before the surgery. I am concerned about the EKG. Thanks.

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anesthesia sedation

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5 Doctor Answers | Asked by blueeyes9293 in ft. lauderdale, fl

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EKG and lab workup prior to anesthesia

Guidelines vary by state, instittuion and practitioner. Traditionally many years ago nearly everyone over 30 had to get an EKG prior to general anesthesia. Now that has generally been limited to anyone with a history of cardiac disease or age over 50. Perhaps there was somethng in your medical history that concerned the practitioner or required by the anestesiologist.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Preop EKG

If you were over 60, an EKG would be required for anesthesia in my facility. Otherwise, if you are younger and healthy with no cardiac symptoms, there would not usually be a need for an EKG. On the other hand, it is a harmless and easy test so if your doctor wants it, why not do it?

Pre-tests before Smart Lipo

The question leaves out some very important information. Specifically what type of anesthesia? Local only, local with oral sedation, local with IV sedation (deep), light general (face mask or LMA) with local, or deep general with local are the choices. In the State of Florida, the Board of Medicine's office surgery guidelines for IV or any types of general anesthesia requires blood and urine pre testing + EKG (if any medical issues) over the age of 40 years. If less than age 40 than it... more

Preoperative work up

For healthy patients over 40, I usualy have patients get basic lab work and a medical clearance from their doctor. Every doctor is different, I would not be too concerned about the EKG.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Ask questions when uncertain

If your doctor has recommended the blood tests and the EKG you should ask him why, if it is routine, or did he/she pick up something in your history they were concerned about, etc. Also, ask what he use to counteract the nausea. I do SmartLipo under local anesthesia with oral sedation and rarely have a problem with nausea, but have medications that help with it that can be used prior to the procedure. You should always ask questions to your physician whenever something is recommended... more