What tests are done before plastic surgery?
Before cosmetic surgery, the plastic surgeon evaluates the patient’s overall health to determine if they are healthy enough for the procedure. For patients over the age of 40, a medical clearance is typically ordered, which can include a chest x-ray and an EKG. For patients with active medical problems, a medical clearance from their primary care physician (or the medical professional who is managing these health issues) is necessary. It is paramount to work with a board-certified plastic surgeon who has a great deal of experience performing the desired procedure.   In addition to this, some surgical procedures require blood tests beforehand, such as a CBC (complete blood count) and a bleeding profile. In some cases, women may undergo a pregnancy test the morning of surgery, but this is not always necessary.   It is important to note that the tests ordered/performed before surgery are dependent upon the patient’s overall health status, risk for complications, medical history, and the type of surgery being performed.