Pre-Operative Exams Clinic in Buckeye, Prescott, Phoenix, and Sun City AZ
Pre-operative exams are vital evaluations of a patient’s general health that are done before surgery to minimize risks and make sure the patient is a good candidate for the treatment. To assist the surgical team prepare for a safe and effective procedure, these evaluations usually involve examining medical history, doing physical examinations, and ordering any required lab tests. For individualized care, see Centra Internal Medicine’s Dr. Manish, MD. For more information, please contact us or schedule an appointment online. We have convenient locations in Sun City, AZ, Phoenix, AZ, Prescott, AZ, and Buckeye, AZ.


Table of Contents:
What does a pre-op exam consist of?
What types of tests are done in a pre-op assessment?
How long does pre-op usually take?
Do I need a pre-operative exam for all types of surgery?
Our pre-operative examination begins with a detailed review of your past and present medical history. We take into account any chronic illnesses, medications, allergies, lifestyle habits, and even your family health history. This in-depth investigation helps us understand any potential genetic conditions that could impact your surgery.
A thorough physical examination is also a critical part of our pre-op exam. Our healthcare providers will check your vital signs, such as blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature, in addition to conducting a thorough physical examination to ensure your fitness for surgery.
We also provide a range of laboratory tests as part of the pre-op examination, such as complete blood count, coagulation tests, urine analysis, as well as kidney and liver function tests.
Depending on the type of surgery you are undergoing, we may also request imaging studies like X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, or ultrasounds. These imaging tests allow us to view the area to be operated on in detail, which aids in surgical planning.
Finally, we believe in patient education and will discuss the surgical procedure, and potential risks, and obtain your informed consent. We may also conduct a nutritional assessment and verify your blood type, if necessary.
Our comprehensive pre-operative assessment begins with a detailed medical history discussion. We gather information about your current health status, past surgeries, allergies, medications, and lifestyle habits.
The physical examination, another crucial part of the pre-operative assessment, is carried out by our experienced physicians. This includes a general inspection, measurements of height, weight, and vital signs, and examination of the cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, and nervous systems. We also listen to the heart and lungs, to identify conditions that could potentially affect the surgery or recovery process.
At Centra Internal Medicine, we perform a range of tests, including blood tests and urine analysis, to ensure you are in the best possible health before surgery. We may also recommend imaging studies, depending on the type of surgery you are undergoing. These could include a chest X-ray, an electrocardiogram (ECG), and an echocardiogram.
For some patients, additional tests may be required, like a sleep study to detect potential sleep disorders, a stress test to assess your heart’s response to exercise and pulmonary function tests to evaluate lung function. If the surgery involves the digestive system, an endoscopy may be required, and for surgeries involving bones or joints, an MRI or CT scan might be utilized.
The duration of the pre-operative period, or pre-op, can vary widely depending on the surgery, the patient’s overall health, the need for additional tests or assessments, and our practice’s policies.
In preparation for surgery, our team begins with a comprehensive medical evaluation. This appointment may involve a physical examination, a detailed review of the patient’s medical history, and possibly additional tests such as blood tests, x-rays, EKGs, or other imaging studies. We do this to assess the patient’s overall health and determine their risk for surgery. Usually, this evaluation takes about one to two hours.
After the initial appointment, our healthcare team provides specific pre-operative instructions. These can potentially include fasting ahead of surgery, adjusting or stopping certain medications, quitting smoking, and arranging for transportation to and from our practice.
On the day before surgery, additional tests or procedures may be required. An anesthesia evaluation will typically be carried out, during which the anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist will discuss anesthesia options and risks with the patient.
Upon arrival at Centra Internal Medicine on the day of surgery, patients are checked in, changed into hospital gowns, and have their vital signs monitored. Just before surgery, anesthesia is administered, antibiotics may be given, and the surgical site is prepared.
We conduct comprehensive pre-operative assessments, which include a review of your medical history, a physical examination, and, if necessary, further diagnostic tests. For instance, we conduct a detailed cardiovascular evaluation for patients with a history of cardiac issues, and a pulmonary function test might be carried out for someone with respiratory problems. We also screen for conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and kidney problems.
For major surgical procedures, we mandate a pre-operative exam. This thorough assessment may involve laboratory tests such as blood tests and urine analysis, and imaging studies like X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs to visualize the surgical site and rule out any underlying conditions.
The necessity of a pre-operative exam for minor surgeries at Centra Internal Medicine depends on the specific procedure and your health status. For low-risk procedures, a brief review of your medical history and a physical examination may suffice. However, certain minor surgeries, such as cataract removal or arthroscopic joint surgeries, may require a more comprehensive exam, especially if you have underlying medical conditions.
In determining whether a pre-operative exam is necessary, our doctors at Centra Internal Medicine consider several factors. These include your age as well as your overall health and the type of surgery, the urgency of the surgery, and your surgical history.
We believe that a pre-operative exam provides numerous benefits. It helps uncover underlying health conditions that may interfere with surgery or post-operative recovery. It allows our doctors to optimize your health for surgery, recommending lifestyle modifications, medication adjustments, or further diagnostic tests if necessary.
At Centra Internal Medicine, we make decisions about the need for a pre-operative exam on a case-by-case basis. For major surgeries, it is mandatory to undergo a thorough assessment. Minor surgeries may or may not require a pre-operative exam, but our team will determine the appropriate course of action based on your specific circumstances.
By ensuring that you are medically optimized for surgery, a pre-operative exam helps promote successful outcomes and minimize potential complications. For more information, please contact us or schedule an appointment online. We serve patients from Sun City AZ, Phoenix AZ, Prescott AZ, Buckeye AZ, Westpark AZ, Liberty AZ, Peoria AZ, Glendale AZ, Diamond Valley AZ, Iron Springs AZ, Bumstead AZ, EI Mirage AZ, and surrounding areas.

Additional Services You May Need

Additional Services You May Need
▸ Aesthetics
▸ Allergies
▸ Annual Physical Exams
▸ Gynecological Exams
▸ High Blood Pressure
▸ Immunizations
▸ Joint Injections
▸ Lab Services
▸ Migraines
▸ Minor Surgical Procedures
▸ Pre-op Clearance Exams
▸ Double Chin
▸ Acute Disease Management
▸ Mole Removal
▸ Primary Care
▸ Same Day Appointments
▸ Sculpsure
▸ Sick Visits
▸ Wound Care
▸ TempSure
▸ Testosterone Replacement Therapy
▸ Video Visits
▸ Weight Management
▸ Wellness
▸ Women’s Health
▸ Chronic Disease Management