Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 10/14/2010

Question
Dr. Levy,

I am a 39 year old Houston resident scheduled to have elective liposuction in just over a month. My mother's family has a history of irregular heart beats and disease. She herself has a pace maker. Do you recommend I have an EKG prior to surgery and undergoing general anesthesia? Also are allergic reactions typical if you are a person with typical allergies?

Answer
If you are otherwise healthy, you do not need an EKG (although the anesthesiologist may still request one). Allergic reactions to anesthetic agents are not typical unless you are allergic to numerous medicines. I would not worry about it.

Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
uTMB-Galveston