Why Pre-Surgical Clearance Matters — and How TrustCare Makes It Quick and Easy

When you’re preparing for surgery—whether it’s a planned orthopedic procedure, a same-day outpatient operation, or something more complex—one crucial step often stands between you and the operating room: pre-surgical clearance. It may feel like just another appointment on your checklist, but this evaluation plays a major role in protecting your health, avoiding complications, and ensuring your surgical team has the information they need to move forward safely.

At TrustCare, we understand that patients often need these clearances quickly. Schedules change, surgeons request updated labs, or paperwork gets lost in the shuffle. That’s why our urgent care clinics offer fast, thorough, same-day pre-op physicals designed to keep your surgery on track—without the long wait times or scheduling headaches common in traditional medical settings.

What Is Pre-Surgical Clearance?

Pre-surgical clearance, also known as a pre-operative physical or medical clearance, is a comprehensive health evaluation completed before a surgical procedure. Its purpose is simple: make sure your body is ready for the physical stress of surgery and anesthesia.

During this appointment, a healthcare provider reviews your medical history, conducts a full physical exam, and often orders baseline tests. These may include blood work, EKGs, chest X-rays, urine testing, or other diagnostics depending on your age, overall health, and the type of surgery you’re having. The goal isn’t to slow you down—it’s to identify potential risks early and help your surgeon create the safest plan for your operation and recovery.

Why Do Surgeons Require Them?

Most surgeons will not proceed without updated medical clearance. This is because even minor conditions can influence how your body responds to anesthesia or how well you heal afterward.

For example, undiagnosed high blood pressure may increase bleeding risk. Uncontrolled diabetes can slow healing and raise the chance of infection. Even something as simple as low iron levels might affect your ability to tolerate anesthesia. By catching these issues early, your care team can adjust your treatment, recommend medication changes, or plan for supportive care during recovery.

Ultimately, pre-operative clearance reduces surprises—both for you and your surgical team. It creates a complete, up-to-date snapshot of your health so your surgeon can operate with confidence.

Common Reasons Patients Need Clearance

Patients are often surprised by how many surgeries require pre-op physicals. While major operations obviously need them, so do many outpatient procedures. You may need medical clearance for:

• Orthopedic surgeries (knee, hip, shoulder)
• ENT surgeries (tonsils, sinus procedures)
• Eye surgery
• Gastrointestinal procedures
• Gynecological surgeries
• Plastic or cosmetic operations
• Dental surgeries requiring anesthesia

Even when the procedure seems minor, anesthesia and surgical stress still place demands on your heart, lungs, and immune system. That’s why surgeons rely heavily on pre-op evaluations to confirm you’re ready.

What Happens During a Pre-Op Physical at TrustCare?

TrustCare’s providers follow evidence-based guidelines to complete a thorough but efficient evaluation. While every patient’s needs differ, you can expect:

• A detailed health history review - We discuss your chronic conditions, past surgeries, medication list, allergies, and any recent symptoms. If you’ve had major changes in your health recently—new medications, hospital visits, or illnesses—this is the time to review them.
• A full physical exam - Your provider will check your heart, lungs, blood pressure, oxygen level, reflexes, and other key systems. This gives your surgical team a baseline.
• Diagnostic testing - If your surgeon requires labs, an EKG, or imaging, TrustCare can complete many of these tests on-site. Because you don’t need an appointment, you can get everything done in one visit.
• Completion of all required forms - We know surgeons are specific about paperwork. Our providers complete the necessary forms, signatures, and clearances so you can return them promptly and keep your surgery on schedule.

How TrustCare Makes the Process Easier and Faster Traditionally, patients have relied on their primary care physician for pre-op clearances. While they play an important role in your overall care, scheduling challenges can become a major barrier—especially when surgery dates shift, or a surgeon requests an updated clearance close to the operation day.

This is where scheduling your evaluation with the TrustCare team becomes invaluable.

TrustCare offers a fast and convenient way for patients to get their pre-surgical clearance done at a time that works best for them – not the other way around. You get the answers and approval you need fast, so your surgery can stay on schedule.

The Importance of Being Honest and Prepared

Patients sometimes worry that revealing a recent illness, medication change, or symptom might delay their surgery. But withholding information can be dangerous. Being open with your provider ensures you receive the safest care possible. Coming prepared helps your evaluation move quickly and smoothly. Before your visit, gather:

• Your medication list;
• Your surgeon’s required forms;
• Any recent lab results or imaging; and
• Information about past surgeries and medical conditions.

TrustCare Makes Pre-Surgical Clearance Stress-Free

The days leading up to surgery can be busy, emotionally draining, and packed with logistics. At TrustCare, our goal is to make your pre-op physical feel like the easiest part of the process. With same-day appointments, thorough evaluations, and on-site testing, we help you get cleared quickly so you can move forward confidently and safely — and focus on preparing for your successful procedure. Learn more or schedule an appointment here.