Preventive Care
Preoperative Exams in Princeton, NJ
Are you scheduled for surgery and need medical clearance before your procedure? Your surgeon requires a preoperative exam for a reason and the quality of that evaluation directly affects how safely your surgery goes.
At Jersey Family Health, we provide thorough preoperative physical exams for patients preparing for surgery in Princeton, NJ and surrounding communities. Dr. Salman Saad, MD and Dr. Moizah Saad, DO conduct comprehensive pre-surgery evaluations reviewing your complete health history, ordering the appropriate lab work, and communicating directly with your surgical team so nothing falls through the cracks.
We accept most major insurance plans and offer a Direct Primary Care (DPC) membership, giving patients flexible access to preoperative care without the stress of scheduling delays or surprise bills.
Why a Preoperative Exam Matters
Surgery places significant demands on the body. Anesthesia, blood loss, fluid shifts, and the physical stress of a procedure can all interact with existing health conditions in ways that increase risk. A preoperative physical exam is how your medical team identifies and manages those risks before you ever enter the operating room.
Conditions like uncontrolled high blood pressure, undiagnosed heart arrhythmias, poorly managed diabetes, or certain medications can significantly affect surgical outcomes. Without a proper preoperative exam, these factors can go unaddressed increasing the likelihood of complications during or after your procedure.
Preoperative Considerations by Age Group
Surgical risk and preoperative requirements shift as patients get older. Here is what we focus on at each stage to ensure your evaluation is appropriate and complete.
Young Adults (18–39)
- Baseline cardiovascular and respiratory assessment
- Medication and supplement review — including hormonal contraceptives
- Anesthesia history and family history of anesthesia reactions
- Pre-surgical lab work as required by surgical team
- Pregnancy screening for female patients when appropriate
Middle-Aged Adults (40–60)
- Cardiovascular risk evaluation — blood pressure, cholesterol, EKG if indicated
- Diabetes screening and blood glucose optimization
- Thyroid and metabolic function review
- Blood thinner and cardiac medication management
- Respiratory assessment — particularly for smokers or patients with asthma
Older Adults (60+)
- Comprehensive cardiac evaluation — EKG, blood pressure, arrhythmia screening
- Polypharmacy review — managing multiple medications safely around surgery
- Kidney and liver function testing — organs that process anesthesia
- Cognitive baseline assessment when relevant to anesthesia planning
- Nutritional status and wound healing risk evaluation
- Chronic disease optimization — diabetes, hypertension, COPD, heart failure
What Is Included in a Preoperative Physical Exam
Our preoperative exams are comprehensive, clinically thorough, and coordinated directly with your surgical team. Every evaluation is tailored to the specific procedure you are having and your individual health profile.
We review your full medical history including prior surgeries, anesthesia reactions, current diagnoses, allergies, and family history of surgical complications. This gives us a complete picture of your risk profile before the procedure.
Certain medications including blood thinners, diabetes medications, NSAIDs, and supplements must be paused or adjusted before surgery. We review your full medication list and provide clear instructions on what to hold, continue, or modify in the days leading up to your procedure.
We assess heart rate, blood pressure, and cardiac function. An EKG is ordered when indicated by age, cardiac history, or the type of procedure planned. Uncontrolled blood pressure or arrhythmias identified here can be addressed before surgery rather than discovered in the operating room.
We evaluate lung function and breathing to assess your body’s ability to tolerate general anesthesia. Patients with asthma, COPD, or a history of smoking receive additional attention to ensure their respiratory status is optimized before the procedure.
We order all necessary pre-surgical laboratory tests based on your procedure and health history. This typically includes a complete blood count (CBC), comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), coagulation studies (PT/INR), blood glucose or HbA1c, and a urinalysis — as well as any additional tests requested by your surgeon.
Patients with diabetes, hypertension, thyroid disease, or other chronic conditions require careful management in the preoperative period. We review your current control of these conditions, make any necessary adjustments, and communicate relevant details to your surgical and anesthesia teams.
We complete all required medical clearance for surgery documentation and communicate directly with your surgical team, hospital, or outpatient surgery center. You leave your appointment with everything your surgical team needs — organized, accurate, and on time.
When Should You Schedule Your Preoperative Exam?
Schedule your preoperative physical exam as soon as your surgical date is confirmed. We recommend booking at least one to two weeks before your procedure earlier if you have complex medical conditions or multiple chronic diagnoses.
Meet Your Physicians
Why Choose Jersey Family Health for Your Preoperative Exam?
Direct Coordination With Your Surgical Team
We communicate directly with your surgeon, hospital, or outpatient surgical center — so your clearance documentation is accurate, complete, and delivered on time. You do not have to manage the back-and-forth yourself.
Two Board-Certified Physicians
Both Dr. Salman Saad, MD and Dr. Moizah Saad, DO bring board-certified expertise to every preoperative physical exam — with particular strength in managing the complex medical histories that often accompany surgical patients.
Thorough, Not Rushed
A preoperative exam is not the place for shortcuts. We take the time to review your complete health picture, address any findings, and make sure you and your surgical team have everything needed before the procedure date.
Chronic Condition Management Built In
If you have diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, or other ongoing conditions, we review and optimize your management as part of the preoperative process — not as an afterthought.
Flexible Insurance & DPC Membership
We accept most major insurance plans. DPC members benefit from priority scheduling and direct physician access — especially valuable when surgical timelines are tight and clearance is needed quickly.
Conveniently Located in Princeton, NJ
Located at 417 Wall St, Bldg B, Princeton NJ 08540, we serve patients from Princeton, Montgomery, Lawrenceville, Plainsboro, and surrounding communities throughout Mercer County. We are here when you need preoperative clearance promptly and properly.
Go Into Surgery Prepared — Not Hoping for the Best
A proper preoperative exam is not a formality — it is one of the most important steps you can take to protect yourself before surgery. At Jersey Family Health, we make sure your pre-surgery physical exam is thorough, your surgical team has everything they need, and nothing is left to chance. Whether you need a straightforward preoperative clearance or a comprehensive evaluation for a complex medical history, our board-certified physicians in Princeton, NJ are ready to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Do I need an EKG as part of my preoperative exam?
Not always. An EKG is ordered when clinically indicated — typically for patients over 50, those with a history of heart disease or arrhythmia, or when the surgical procedure carries significant cardiovascular demands. Your physician will determine whether an EKG is appropriate based on your individual profile.
Q2: How far in advance should I schedule my preoperative exam?
We recommend scheduling at least one to two weeks before your surgical date. If you have complex medical conditions, multiple chronic diagnoses, or are on several medications, scheduling earlier gives us time to address any findings, complete lab work, and communicate with your surgical team without rushing.
Q3: What lab tests are typically ordered during a preoperative evaluation?
Standard pre-surgical lab work includes a complete blood count (CBC), comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), coagulation studies (PT/INR), blood glucose or HbA1c, urinalysis, and a type and screen if blood loss is anticipated. Additional tests are ordered based on your specific procedure and health history.
Q4: Will you communicate with my surgeon directly?
Yes. We communicate directly with your surgical team, hospital, or outpatient surgery center to deliver your medical clearance documentation, lab results, and any relevant clinical notes. You do not need to manage the paperwork exchange between providers yourself.
Q5: Which medications need to be stopped before surgery?
Blood thinners, NSAIDs, certain diabetes medications, herbal supplements, and some cardiac drugs often need to be paused or adjusted before surgery. During your preoperative exam, we review every medication you take and provide specific instructions for what to hold, continue, or modify in the days before your procedure.
