The following is a list of routine laboratory required before safely administering anesthetic and undergoing a major operation:

• Blood tests
• CBC , Chemistry panel
• Urine analysis
• Chest X-Ray
• EKG

In addition , we recommend a complete physical exam by your medical doctor before you travel here. Please fax results to (803) 933-6757. If you bring all of the above results with you , only two minor blood tests need to be carried out just before surgery at our hospital. The reason for the above evaluation in your hometown is to avoid last minute cancellation of surgery after you have come all the way to Columbia. For example , your preoperative testing could reveal an EKG abnormality that needs further study as well as% a stress test. Even though you may have no symptoms of any medical problem , it would not be safe to administer anesthesia without further tests. This , of course , would require cancellation of surgery and probably a second trip to Columbia after the issues were% resolved. For this reason it is imperative that you obtain a full evaluation in your hometown prior to traveling here. Your hospital stay here will be 2 to 3 days.