Before bariatric surgery: what the surgeon needs to know
Bariatric surgery, such as sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass, is a planned operation for severe obesity. It needs a wider workup than most surgeries, because obesity often comes with diabetes, fatty liver, sleep apnoea and vitamin deficiencies.
The Major Surgical Profile covers the anaesthesia basics. Bariatric teams add metabolic and nutrition tests on top, so that deficiencies can be corrected before surgery and followed after it.
| Anaesthesia | General anaesthesia |
| Basic tests | Major Surgical Profile, ₹2,500 |
| Report time | 3 hours from sample collection, 24/7 |
| Fasting | Not needed for the profile |
Step 1: the Major Surgical Profile
Almost every surgeon and anaesthetist asks for these basic tests before bariatric surgery: CBC, ESR, LFT, blood urea, serum creatinine, electrolytes, random blood sugar, PT/INR, BT/CT, HIV, HBsAg, HCV, blood group, TSH, ECG and chest X-ray. We do all of them in one visit for ₹2,500, with the report in 3 hours. See why each test matters.
Step 2: extra tests your surgeon may add
Depending on your age, health and the hospital's protocol, your surgeon may ask for some of these as well. They are not part of the profile and are charged separately.
| HbA1c ₹600 | Most people having bariatric surgery have diabetes or prediabetes. |
| Lipid profile ₹650 | Cholesterol and triglycerides, often high in obesity. |
| Vitamin D ₹1,350 | Very commonly low, and drops further after surgery. |
| Vitamin B12 ₹800 | Absorption falls after surgery. A baseline is needed. |
| Iron deficiency profile ₹1,000 | Iron deficiency is common before and after bariatric surgery. |
| Thyroid profile (T3, T4, TSH) ₹470 | To rule out an underactive thyroid as a cause of weight gain. |
| Uric acid ₹160 | Often raised in obesity. |
| Fasting insulin ₹950 | Sometimes asked to assess insulin resistance. |
| Serum cortisol Ask us | Sometimes asked to rule out a hormone cause of weight gain. |
| 2D Echo ₹1,200 | Commonly asked, because obesity strains the heart. |
| Urine routine (CUE) ₹200 | Routine urine check before surgery. |
Points specific to bariatric surgery
- Many bariatric teams also ask for a sleep study, because untreated sleep apnoea is a major anaesthesia risk. A home sleep study is available at Caspian Healthcare in the same building.
- An upper GI endoscopy is often done before surgery. That is done by a gastroenterologist, not in the lab.
- Your bariatric surgeon decides the final list. Send it to us and we will tell you the total.
Your surgeon and anaesthetist decide the final list. If you have one, send us a photo on WhatsApp and we will do exactly those tests and tell you the total first.
Frequently asked questions
Why so many tests before bariatric surgery?
Because obesity affects almost every organ, and bariatric surgery changes how you absorb vitamins and iron for life. Baseline values help your team correct deficiencies before surgery and track them after.
Is the Major Surgical Profile enough on its own?
No. It covers the anaesthesia and safety tests. The bariatric team will almost always add the metabolic and vitamin tests listed on this page.
How fast will I get the report?
In 3 hours from the time we take your sample, at any hour of the day or night, including Sundays and holidays. The report comes on WhatsApp, and you can collect a print at the centre.
How much do the extra tests cost?
The Major Surgical Profile is ₹2,500. Extra tests are added at our standard price, shown in the table on this page. Send us your surgeon's list on WhatsApp and we will tell you the exact total before you come.
Related tests
Medically reviewed by Dr Raheel Raza, MBBS, DCP (Gandhi), Consultant Pathologist.