why a chest xray/ekg?

midwestchickie · 06-25-2008, 08:45 PM

Why do you have to get a chest xray? Ekg? (not even sure what that does!) Is it to check for pnemonia?

I had cosmetic work done two years ago and that wasn't required, so I'm just curious.

Sarah.R · 06-25-2008, 09:38 PM

Ekg to check your heart and make sure it's ok for surgery - that's just normal for any surgery usually. And chest xray to make sure your lungs are fine. Personally I have had both but I also have a lung condition as well. overall the ekg is more important because they want to make sure theres no abnormalities with your heart prior to surgery. Nothing to worry about, you'll have to get blood tests as well to make sure you blood work is ok and maybe have a sleep study, but it also depends on the doctor. And with cosmetic surgery it depends on what it was, I would have thought any plastic surgeon would get an ekg but maybe not, if you had something like a nose job then of course there not going to check your lungs and what not

Shamrockgirl60 · 06-25-2008, 09:45 PM

I just got my surgery appointments...I have to get lung x-ray and EKG (it's been a year since I had all my big tests) And blood test too.

Meeting with the surgeon and nurses and pre-op all set. Can't wait till I have it done.

The x-ray and EKG are normal before any surgery.

Cate18 · 06-26-2008, 06:59 PM

I'm not a health insurance expert, and I realize every one's health insurance is different, but are tests like those usually covered or at least partially covered ? Or should I expect to pay for those things and my GI test out of pocket ? Anyone have any experience with that ? I'll be sure to call my health insurance company, just wondering what other people have run into.

Shamrockgirl60 · 06-26-2008, 10:50 PM

As far as I know all the visits and tests will be covered under my Insurance. If it relates to the successful surgery it will most likely be covered. Check with the doctor though.

Telecia · 06-27-2008, 08:46 PM

Most of the tests should be covered. And yea since pneumnia is such a worry for people after surgery explains why the chest x ray, but its not a standard like the ekg is. Probably the surgeons preference.

I'd be glad you have a doctor who choses to me more proactive. I have cronic bronchitis/asthma so I would be disapointed if my surgeon didnt look at my lungs.

MicheleK · 06-27-2008, 10:22 PM

My surgeon also wants an upper GI included in my chest x-ray/blood work package, lol. I think that's pretty standard for this type of surgery. I wasn't required to get an EKG, but my primary care doc decided to do one anyway.

The more tests the better as far as I'm concerned. Just means my surgery will go that much smoother!

My insurance covers all pre-op testing. I think that's fairly standard with insurance companies, if they will pay for the surgery they'll pay for pre-op testing. It prevents future issues and more expense in the long run.

Dtobe175ish · 07-01-2008, 01:27 PM

another thing to consider are the comorbid conditions that patients may have...being overweight places extra strain on the heart, thus one good reason for having the ekg done...it looks at the electrical function of the heart and can provide evidence of past injury to heart muscle or current injury that the patient may not even be aware of.

the chest xray is used as an indicator of whether or not pneumonia may be present but if a patient has other active disease processes, like COPD, asthma, etc, it can give a quick snapshot of their current state.

bloodwork wise, a quick very basic breakdown would look something like: a CBC would show whether a patient is anemic or has any current infection; a CMP (complete metabolic panel) is a broad screening tool used to evaluate organ function and check for conditions like diabetes, liver disease, and kidney disease. It may also be ordered to monitor known conditions, like hypertension, and to monitor people who are taking specific medications for any kidney or liver related side effects.

i hope some of this helps...
best of luck,
d-