Pre-Procedure Labs, what is looked for?

Thank you for your question. Labs are required to provide information about conditions that could affect the treatment you need. The tests that you do before your operation will be determined by your age, your general health, any illnesses you have or any medication you are on, and the type of operation you are going to have. 

It is important to determine your health condition before cosmetic procedures . since these are programmed  procedures, we have to make sure everything is under control. Basically, you will be tested to find our if you have anemia , diabetes, immune suppressive health conditions ,if your liver , kidneys, and blood clotting are right. Also lung xrays , electrocardiogram and a cardiologist evaluation will be required.  If you have any previous health conditions you will be asked for a doctors approval / clearance. All tests are important to lower the risks of complications during surgeryBest wishes   

The main thing we look for is a blood count to make sure you are not anemic and a urine test to make sure you are not pregnant if you are in child bearing age.  With older patients and patients with various diseases such as high blood pressure or diabetes other tests are required.  

Modern surgical standards require ordering much if you were tests that in the past.In general young healthy people without medical conditions do not require any laboratory a valuations for simple elective procedures other than a pregnancy test which is a urine test.preoperative testing is generally tailored towards specific patients needs.For example patients with certain medical conditions may need tests to verify the condition is under control.As patients get older and develop greater risk for medical illnesses general screening blood tests are more indicated.A complete set of blood tests will check your blood levels including red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.Electrolytes and kidney and liver functions can also be checked for it.Thorough testing can include things like thyroid evaluations etc. etc.patients as risk for heart disease generally should get an EKG.Patients work risk for having lung disease may need a chest x-ray.some basic parameters are set by certain hospitals strictly based on age but best practices should base tests specifically towards the needs of each individual patients as indicated.Most plastic surgeon will have their own criteria though hopefully most follow modern standards.There is good evidence showing that too many tests were generally ordered unnecessarily before small elective procedures in the past.Best,Mats Hagstrom M.D.