Nassau County Pre-Operative Clearance Specialist

Are you scheduled for surgery soon? If so, for your own safety and for the best chances at optimal surgical outcomes, you need to understand the pre-operative clearance process. This comprehensive evaluation will help your healthcare team identify and address potential risks before you undergo any surgical procedure, allowing you to get back on your feet as quickly as possible. Let our medical professionals at Cardiovascular Wellness Specialty Care, P.C., guide you through what you need to know. 

What Is Pre-Operative Clearance?

A pre-op clearance is a medical check-up performed shortly before surgery. During a pre-op appointment, the doctor will verify that the patient is in good enough health to have the scheduled surgery. The pre-op clearance appointment is typically performed around 2 weeks before the surgery is scheduled.

What Tests & Evaluations Will You Need for Pre-Operative Clearance?

The specific tests involved in your pre-operative clearance will be different than those of other patients, depending on your age, medical history, and the type of surgery you will undergo. 

Your healthcare provider will likely order baseline laboratory tests, such as a complete blood count (CBC), basic metabolic panel, coagulation studies, and urinalysis.

If you need a cardiovascular assessment, your doctor may recommend an electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG). Patients with known heart disease, on the other hand, often require an echocardiogram—if you have moderate to high cardiac risk, you may need stress testing to evaluate your heart’s function under stress.

Patients with pulmonary symptoms or a history of those symptoms may receive a pulmonary evaluation and chest X-ray, and those with lung disease may receive pulmonary function tests.

Other specialized tests may include hemoglobin A1C for diabetic patients, liver function tests for patients with liver disease, and specific imaging studies based on your condition.

Who Performs Your Pre-Operative Clearance?

Your primary care physician will often conduct your pre-operative clearances, but a cardiologist might step in to perform the assessment if you have a heart condition. If you have cardiovascular issues, a cardiovascular specialist can use their in-depth knowledge of how heart conditions interact with surgical stress to provide tailored recommendations for your perioperative care. 

Other surgical situations may require an internal medicine specialist or an entire pre-operative clinic team.

When Should You Schedule Your Pre-Operative Clearance?

You should schedule your pre-operative clearance two to four weeks before your planned surgery. This timeline will give your medical team enough time to complete all necessary tests and evaluations and respond to any emergent issues that may affect your surgical plan.

If your physicians know of any significant preexisting medical complications, they might require you to schedule your clearance evaluation even earlier to allow for additional testing or treatment.

What Information Should You Bring to Your Pre-Operative Clearance Appointment?

Bring a complete list of all medications to your pre-operative clearance appointment, including the over-the-counter drugs, supplements, and herbs you take regularly.

Give your physician a copy of your medical records, any previous cardiac test results, and recent laboratory results to help provide context for your current health status.

Provide your surgical team with names and contact information for all your previous healthcare providers, as well as a list of any allergies or previous adverse reactions to anesthesia.

How Can You Prepare to Ensure a Smooth Pre-Operative Clearance?

To prepare for a successful pre-operative clearance, maintain your current medication regimen unless otherwise instructed by a healthcare professional. Follow all applicable fasting instructions before blood tests to ensure an accurate test result.

Wear comfortable clothing that allows easy access for a physical examination, and prepare a list of any questions you have about your surgery and anesthesia.

If it would make you feel more comfortable, consider bringing a family member to help you remember any important information shared during the appointment. Practice utmost transparency with your healthcare provider, as full honesty will help your doctors provide an accurate risk assessment and appropriate perioperative planning to keep you safe.

What Happens If a Concern Is Identified During Pre-Operative Clearance?

If your pre-operative evaluation reveals a concern, your doctor may order additional tests to further investigate the issue or adjust your medication schedule to optimize your health before surgery.

In more serious cases, your surgeon might postpone your procedure until the medical team resolves the issue, or schedule a consultation with a specialist to help you manage your condition.

Even if you do go through with the surgery as planned, your healthcare team might develop a more intensive monitoring plan during and after your surgery to address any specific concerns that they have. This process may feel inconvenient, but identifying these health issues before the surgery will greatly improve your procedure’s potential outcome.

How Should You Follow Pre-Operative Clearance Recommendations?

Follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations after pre-operative clearance to reduce any surgical risks as much as possible: Your doctor may recommend adjusting your dosage of blood thinners, diabetes medications, and certain supplements, suggest lifestyle modifications such as reduced smoking, and recommend special cleaning procedures for your post-operative care. 

Maximize Your Surgical Safety With Pre-Operative Clearance at Cardiovascular Wellness Specialty Care, P.C.

Before your surgery, look into a focused pre-operative clearance at Cardiovascular Wellness Specialty Care, P.C. to optimize your health outcomes and keep yourself safe. Our board-certified cardiologists use state-of-the-art technology to offer comprehensive cardiac evaluation services, including advanced diagnostic testing and personalized risk assessment.

Cardiovascular Wellness Specialty Care, P.C. serves all of Long Island, New York, with locations in Lake Success and Hicksville, including Nassau County, Suffolk County, Great Neck, Manhasset, and surrounding areas.