Blood Work and Testing

Prior to surgery Dr. Sorokin will review your personal medical history in order to decide what lab testing needs to be done. The vast majority of elective cosmetic surgery patients are healthy individuals without significant medical problems. Thus, a large medical workup is not usually necessary.

For most of our patients, standard blood work that tests for blood counts, electrolyte levels, and kidney function is performed prior to surgery. We do this in our office as part of the preoperative workup in order to save patients the time of making an appointment at an outside lab to have testing. In addition, this cost is included in the total surgery fee that we charge to save patients from having an additional expense. Our goal is to make the process as easy as possible.
For some patients with more of medical history or who are older Dr. Sorokin will order an electrocardiogram (EKG). We also do this in the office as once again, it is a hassle to have to run from office to office, dealing with costs and insurance issues.

Unfortunately, sometimes this bloodwork or EKG may show a result that requires a medical evaluation. Dr. Sorokin is a plastic surgeon, not an internist, and if a medical workup is indicated, he will refer you to either your personal physician or to a specialist as needed. Safety is paramount in elective surgery, and unfortunately this can not always be avoided.

In the era of COVID-19 we have followed CDC and the State of New Jersey guidelines on Covid testing. There are changing policies regarding this based on current community levels of virus and also vaccination status. Currently we are testing patients who are not vaccinated and boosted for COVID for preoperative testing. Recent Covid infection is a risk factor for postoperative complications.

We ask that all breast surgery patients be up to date on mammograms and breast health screenings. We refer you to your Ob-Gyn for recommendations on when you are due for these tests. Routine mammograms will need to be delayed for six months after surgery (unless there is a pressing concern) and thus all patients should be up to date on screening mammograms prior to surgery.

Our patient coordinators will help guide you through preoperative testing and appointments and do everything possible to make this a quick and easy process.