Dr. Northup or Schirmer patients @ UVA question for you?

Why do we have to have the ABG (Areterial Blood Gases) test for? What does it tell and what if it is not good results?  I have to have that tomorrow as part of my pre op stuff.  Thanks!

I just had this test last week and asked the same question.  I was told that the blood drawn is taken from an artery instead of a vein.  This blood tells them how much oxygen and carbon dioxide that is normally in your blood as well as some ph levels (I have no clue what ph levels are).  The tech. was able to tell me the results of my test in less than a minute. Hope this helps alittle. Jackie

Hi Jackie, thanks for your reply. I appreciate it. It wasnt so bad, and I was normal, but they stuck me a lot because they couldnt find the artery. :(

I found some great information about it on the web at http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/Arterial-Blood-Gases Seems as though the basic function of the test is to determine how well your lungs are working and to see how well your blood flows through your body.  Dr. Schirmer likes to cover all of his bases before surgery, and we should be thankful that he does that.  Some people say it hurts like crap and others say it is nothing more than like a bee sting.  I have not had mine yet so I cannot tell you from a personal experience.  Please let us know how yours goes today

Hi, thank you for your reply. It actually went quite well today, aside from sticking me a lot. Haha,. Im used to it though and they numbed me locally with Lidocaine. So, it was not so bad and I was perfectly normal.

It is to check the carbon dexoide an oxygen levels in your body, this is how they found I had the carbon dexoide poisoning several months before my gastric bypass while in the hospital for 8 day for it. So Im a pro at those and its no morethan a bee sting so dont get upset or uptight go in relaxed its over in seconds and they will tell you in a few minutes like already said if yours id ok most peoples are unless you have suffered from untreated sleep apnea. Good luck tom. what time is your appointment? Im here close if you would like to meet up for lunch or something. Hugsss.... 

Hey Prissy, thank you for your reply, I wish I had seen it sooner, I would have met up with you for lunch. I had a whole host of appointments today, I had to go to Fontaine for an Ultrasound of the gallbladder which was normal. Then had to go to the old hospital to have the ABG, then I had to go to the main hospital to see Dr. Northup, set my date, then go to pre anesthesia! It was a FULL day, and I couldnt eat last night after midningt and didnt have enough time in between appointments, so it was 2:00 by the time I got to eat anything! 

Busy Busy Busy day for you thats ok maybe you can make it to our meet there in Harrisonburgon the 4th @ Pano's we would love to have you and there will be a few other Banders there to. So did you get your date the? was the blood gas so bad after all? We will catch up soon. Keep us updated. 

It wasnt so bad, I posted a new post with my date and such. I am having it on the 30th, so not sure how I will feel by the 4th. I wish I could come, Ill try to plan on it, and if I feel good I will come. I just dont know what to expect, I have a high tolerance to pain but I just dont know LOL...