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.