Aside from the physical exam performed during consultation, your surgeon will request that you to get a thorough medical examination from your primary care physician. Your tests will include blood work, which will determine your complete blood count. Your surgeon would particularly observe your red blood cell count to see if you have any bleeding tendencies. Your white blood cell count will also be noted if there is a significant fluctuation compared to normal values as this may indicate ongoing infections. Other than that, a medical marker for bleeding tendencies called partial thromboplastin time (PTT) and prothrombin time (PT) may be monitored to ensure that you are not prone to hemorrhage or excessive bleeding.
You will also undergo a test to determine your blood type to ensure quick emergency response should you need a blood transfusion. Your blood glucose levels will also be checked to determine if you have problems with your glucose metabolism, which could impede blood circulation and delay wound healing.
If you are a chronic aspirin-taker you must stop taking it as soon as you are sure that you will be having surgery because aspirin is known to increase bleeding by inhibiting blood clotting. Some herbal supplements, over-the-counter drugs, and prescription drugs may also increase bleeding. Inform your doctor of everything you are taking, including herbal medications, and ask if they will affect the outcome of your surgery. He will determine if and when you should discontinue them, as well as if and when to restart them after the surgery.
Smoking is greatly discouraged and should be stopped if you are planning on undergoing any type of surgery. Again, smokers are known to have a higher risk of surgery-related breathing problems during the actual procedure. Inform your surgeon and anesthesiologist if you smoke or smoked in the recent past so that they can take appropriate precautions before, during, and after the surgery. Also Inform your anesthesiologist well in advance if you have a history or genetic predisposition to asthma, as administration of some anesthetic agents can trigger or exacerbate its symptoms. That way, the anesthesiologist can avoid those types of medications that trigger a negative response to asthma.
