Blood Work Before International Surgery

Why blood work comes first

Blood work is a safety check, not a hurdle. Before any facelift, Dr. Franco wants to know how your body will handle anesthesia, bleeding, and healing. For international patients the testing is required, and it happens before the surgery is confirmed, not after you arrive.

What gets checked

The standard panel includes a complete blood count, which looks at red cells and platelets, and a coagulation profile, which checks how your blood clots. Depending on your age and history, your surgeon may add tests for blood sugar, kidney and liver function, or an electrocardiogram. Your coordinator gives you the exact list for your case.

When and where

You have two options. You can have the blood work done at home and send the results ahead of time, or you can have it drawn in Medellín on arrival day and reviewed before surgery. The timing matters because the results must be current, usually within a few weeks of the procedure.

If something is off

A borderline result is not usually a dead end. If a test flags anemia, a clotting issue, or a heart rhythm problem, Dr. Franco may adjust the plan, treat the issue first, or in rare cases delay surgery. That conversation is exactly why the testing exists. It protects you more than it protects him.

Blood pressure is part of it

Blood work is only half the picture. Your blood pressure matters just as much, because keeping systolic pressure under 120 during and after surgery lowered the hematoma rate from 3.76 percent to 0.5 percent in published studies. Expect your pressure to be checked early and watched closely through recovery.

Related pages

• Facelift in Medellín: the full overview
• The science of facelift safety
• Preparing for your trip to Colombia
• Is Medellín safe for medical tourists?

Next steps

Send three photos from the front and one from each side, and we will send you the exact list of tests for your case before you book anything.

Get a Verified Quote