Is there a standard for tests that need to be done before surgery & is it a legal requirement?

Question

So if doing an augmentation what tests would a surgeon want of a patient prior to surgery. Is there a legal requirement for patients to do pre- testing ? Thanks for your help

Finny George, MD · Answer

Hi, thank you for sharing your question. There are no standard tests that are required by law for this operation. Your surgeon will determine which tests, if any, they may want especially if you are undergoing general anesthesia.

Brian K. Reedy, MD · Answer

Hi & thanks for your question. 
Required testing depends on your age and health history. Typically a CBC blood test and mammogram are ordered. Ekg's are ordered for 50 and over.  Speak with your surgeon for his/her particular guidelines on this . Best wishes!

Irena Karanetz, MD · Answer

Hello,
Thank you for the question. 
There are specific pre-surgery testing requirements that depend on patient age and presence of any other medical issues.
Breast imaging is also typically required patients over 40 years of age.
I would seek an in-person evaluation by the Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon, in order to discuss your goals and concerns for the best cosmetic results. 
I hope this helps.Best regards, Dr. Karanetz
Dr. Irena KaranetzBreast Fellowship-TrainedBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear jenniferOjenny,
every plastic surgeon has his own preoperative protocol which he recommends to his patients. I would suggest you to discuss this with your plastic surgeon.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Jessica Walker, MD · Answer

Every physician is a little different. For a breast augmentation, for a young healthy patient there is no preoperative labs/imaging needed in our practice. However, if you have a strong family history of breast cancer or are at the age for recommended screening mammography, we will encourage you to get this prior to surgery. As for routine labs, it its not common, but also depends on your healthy history. The best way to know is to see your board eligible/board certified plastic surgeon for evaluation and to discuss options.

John W. Tyrone, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Pre-surgery testing will be dependent on your current health as well as doctor and facility requirements. I request a mammogram at the age of 45 and older. If a patient doesn't want to do the mammogram I have them sign a waiver that it was a recommendation. If the patient is 60 and over anesthesia wants medical clearance with an EKG and a history and physical at the very least. It is the surgeon and/or anesthia providers perogative to decline to perform surgery if they feel uncomfortable. Remember, we require these things so we can keep you safe. 
Good Luck!

Christopher J. Hussussian, MD · Answer

Hello,
Every physician is going to be different in what they suggest and require of their patients pre-operatively. This will be dictated by their experiences/preferences and in conjunction with the anesthesiologists they plan to use. Individual state medical boards offer guidelines on top of our society's that provide recommendations. There are not specific legal requirements for pre-operative tests.
Christopher J. Hussussian, MD

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Pre operative testing requirements vary by surgeon and also by the patient's medical history.  All women of child bearing age undergo a pregnancy test prior to surgery.  Other than that, it will be at the surgeon's discretion.  I encourage you to speak to your surgeon about her/his requirements.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

There is no "legal" requirement for preoperative testing, but most surgeons and many facilities do require at least a complete blood count, some add a PT to see how your clotting ability is, some add HIV and COVID testing, and other tests may be added based on age and medication. At certain ages, EKG's are required by most facilities and surgeons as well. If you have concerns about preoperative testing, please discuss this with your surgeon.

Karl William Schwarz, MD · Answer

No...if you don't have any medical problems, are young and healthy and having a low risk operation like a breast augmentation then routine testing are not necessary and certainly not against the law. There is no law regarding this anyway. These are medical decisions guided by the American Society of Anesthesia as well as the American Board of Plastic Surgery but most importantly the decision is made by your surgeon and anesthesia team. The most important workup for a patient undergoing a breast augmentation is a carefully taken medical history and a physical exam. If both of these do not suggest any medical problems then no labs are required. Labs and EKG and chest xrays etc are ordered if there is reason to believe there might be a problem in which one of these tests may be helpful. Now, all that being said you will still find it common for practices to order routine labs even in young healthy breast augmentation patients!

Is there a standard for tests that need to be done before surgery & is it a legal requirement?

Answers (11)

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