Preoperative Exam
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Jeff Toll, MD
Internal Medicine Physician located in Los Angeles, CA
Prior to undergoing elective surgery, it’s important to participate in a preoperative exam. This health screening ensures you’re strong and healthy enough to undergo an operation. Jeff Toll, MD, conducts preoperative evaluations at his practice in the Beverly Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, checking for risk factors or possible complications. Call or schedule an appointment online today to learn more about preoperative exams.
Preoperative Exam Q & A
What is a preoperative exam?
A preoperative exam is a health screening used to determine risks of complications that might occur during surgery. The overall risk you might experience depends on the type of surgery. Whether you have a minimally invasive procedure or a more complex operation, each type presents its own challenges.
Many patients are asked to be “medically cleared” by their physician, but some patients don’t have a primary care provider (PCP) and are forced to wait weeks to establish care with a new doctor in order to get clearance. This might happen if you’re undergoing plastic surgery, orthopedic surgery, urologic surgery, or other types of specialized surgery.
Dr. Toll makes the process as simple as possible, ensuring you can get the medical clearance you need to undergo all types of surgery.
What happens during a preoperative exam?
A preoperative exam typically takes place several weeks before your operation. During your appointment, Dr. Toll often performs the following:
Physical exam
In a typical preoperative exam, Dr. Toll completes a comprehensive physical exam, which includes checking your vital signs. He then reviews your personal medical and surgical history and assesses for any cardiac, pulmonary, bleeding, or infectious risk factors.
It’s important to let him know if you use tobacco or drink alcohol. You should also let him know if you take any prescription medications or dietary supplements regularly.
Lab assessments
After gathering information about your general health, Dr. Toll may order a series of lab tests, which may include a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), complete blood count (CBC), urinalysis (UA), prothrombin time test (PT), electrocardiogram (EKG), and a partial thromboplastin time test (PTT).
How much will a preoperative exam cost?
At the office of Dr. Toll, preoperative exams are free within his membership program.
Otherwise, Dr. Toll charges a flat rate of $450. Your preoperative exam includes:
- A medical history review
- A comprehensive physical exam
- Lab tests such as a CBC, CMP, EKG, UA, PT, and PTT
Some surgeons may require additional labs such as pregnancy tests or screenings for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C. These tests will require an extra fee.
What if I fail to clear my preoperative exam?
Dr. Toll can determine whether it is safe to undergo surgery. If there is any reason that you can’t pass your preoperative exam, he can coordinate any necessary follow-up exams or treatments to help you pass your exam successfully. You may have abnormal lab results or past health concerns that might affect your clearance.
In many cases, patients can be cleared for their elective procedure. For example, if Dr. Toll detects a potential health problem, like heart disease or high blood pressure, he may recommend getting your condition under control before moving forward with surgery.
If you want to learn more about preoperative exams, call Jeff Toll, MD, or schedule a consultation online today.
