My doctor didn't request labs/blood work... Hm!

Why aren't you asking your PS these questions.  His or her office will know if labs are drawn on the morning of surgery which is the usual case in young healthy patients.  Also, your blood pressure will be measured before surgery as well.  If however you do decide to go to your primary MD for a pre-op clearance, then please inform your PS office ahead of time.  This can at times complicate matters with the primary MDs wanting info about the surgery spedifics etc before they do a clearance.

Aha! You've found a reckless surgeon! Cancel the BBL! But wait . . .You said you are young and normal weight, and a healthy candidate by your surgeon's examination (you did see him, didn't you?). BTW, blood pressure is neither a lab nor blood work, but you knew that, didn't you? (It's taken continuously during surgery.)Let's postulate that you were anemic. Somehow, though your nailbeds were pink and your skin color normal, you must have lost lots of blood yet failed to mention that to your surgeon. Probably menstrual losses, perhaps?But let's assume your surgeon can perform surgery with minimal blood loss. At what low hemoglobin level would you expect your surgeon to refuse surgery or require blood transfusion?The reality is that with excellent surgery, there is minimal blood loss and knowing is different from treating. To give you a true example--my 89 year-old mother underwent aortic valve replacement last week with a hemoglobin below 7.0 (normal is 14). She did not receive any blood transfusions prior to her surgery, which required a vascular stick with a pretty huge needle/catheter. Her cardiologist only prescribed several iron treatments. She did great, by the way. And of course, her surgery was done via the cardiology lab rather than in the cardiac surgery suite with a sternal split. Labs were done, but there was no change in the therapy (transfusion or not), so was the actual blood count (test for anemia) really necessary?You are young, healthy , and undergoing elective cosmetic surgery. Your pre-operative physician evaluation should uncover (via history and physical examination) any abnormalities for which laboratory work or blood tests might be necessary or advisable. But in your setting, labs/blood work are commonly NOT needed, nor automatic.No plots, conspiracy theories, or poor medical judgement. Not that getting labs is wrong, unless it is "routine" when it should be "when appropriate." I also assume you would tell your surgeon and pre-op physician if you already "knew" you were dangerously anemic or had a history of chronic or recent major blood loss. Best wishes! Dr. Tholen

Every surgeon is different in terms of the required pre-operative medical clearance. While it is true that labs are not "required" for a 25 year old, I always get basic labs anyway. I think you are absolutely correct.....how do know you are "healthy"?  Just because you are 25 and don't have medical problems that you know of? It is not that uncommon to find some minor abnormalities on routine labs, such as anemia. In some situations, the anemia is great enough to not be cleared for surgery. For elective cosmetic surgery, my preference is to be absolutely sure that everything is perfect before.  If you are concerned, speak with your surgeon.