You’ve booked your procedure, you’ve done your research, and your surgery date is circled on the calendar — but before your surgeon will clear you for the OR, you need a pre-operative medical evaluation. For patients in Miami Shores, North Miami, and beyond, Medi-Station Urgent Care makes that step fast, thorough, and convenient. Our board-certified emergency physician can complete your pre-op clearance with same-day diagnostics, so you stay on schedule and walk into surgery with confidence.
What Is Pre-Operative Clearance and Why Does It Matter?
Pre-operative clearance — sometimes called a pre-op physical or surgical medical clearance — is a medical evaluation designed to confirm that you are healthy enough to safely undergo anesthesia and surgery. It is not a formality. It is a safeguard.
Miami has become one of the top destinations in the world for cosmetic surgery, from tummy tucks and rhinoplasties to Brazilian butt lifts and mommy makeovers. Tens of thousands of patients travel to South Florida every year specifically for elective procedures. Alongside that cosmetic-surgery boom, orthopedic surgeries — knee replacements, ACL reconstructions, shoulder repairs — are performed in high volumes at area hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers. In virtually all of these cases, the surgical team requires a pre-op clearance from a physician who is not the operating surgeon.
According to the American Society of Anesthesiologists, pre-operative evaluation reduces the risk of anesthesia-related complications and helps identify conditions like uncontrolled hypertension, cardiac arrhythmia, or undiagnosed diabetes that could turn a routine procedure into a dangerous one. The American College of Surgeons recommends that all patients undergoing elective surgery have a formal pre-operative assessment that reviews medical history, current medications, allergies, and relevant diagnostic results.
Put simply: your surgeon needs to know your body is ready. Medi-Station Urgent Care provides exactly that assessment — quickly, affordably, and without a weeks-long wait for a specialist appointment.
What Does a Pre-Op Clearance Visit Include?
Every pre-operative clearance at Medi-Station Urgent Care is performed by Dr. Carlos Sanchez, a board-certified emergency medicine physician with over 20 years of experience in Miami. The visit is comprehensive and can typically be completed in a single appointment:
Medical History Review Dr. Sanchez will review your complete medical history, including any chronic conditions (heart disease, diabetes, asthma, thyroid disorders), prior surgeries, current prescription medications, over-the-counter supplements, and any known allergies. This review forms the foundation of your clearance letter.
Physical Examination A head-to-toe physical exam assesses your cardiovascular and respiratory fitness. Heart rate, blood pressure, lung sounds, and baseline neurological status are all evaluated.
Electrocardiogram (EKG) An EKG records the electrical activity of your heart and can identify arrhythmias, prior cardiac events, or conduction abnormalities that could complicate anesthesia. Medi-Station performs EKGs on-site with same-day results.
Blood Work / Laboratory Testing Depending on your age, health history, and the procedure planned, your surgeon may require a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), complete blood count (CBC), coagulation studies (PT/INR), or a hemoglobin A1c. Medi-Station’s on-site laboratory handles all standard pre-op labs with rapid turnaround.
Chest X-Ray Patients over a certain age or those with a history of pulmonary or cardiac conditions may need a pre-op chest X-ray. Medi-Station’s diagnostic services include digital X-ray available immediately at your visit — no separate imaging center required.
Physician Clearance Letter Once the evaluation is complete and results are reviewed, Dr. Sanchez issues a signed clearance letter addressed to your surgical team. Most surgeons require clearance within 30 days of the procedure date; some require it within 7–14 days. Medi-Station can complete your evaluation and deliver documentation within 24 hours in most cases.
Who Needs Pre-Op Clearance?
If you are scheduled for any of the following, your surgical team will almost certainly require a clearance letter before proceeding:
- Cosmetic surgery: Liposuction, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), breast augmentation or reduction, rhinoplasty, facelifts, or body contouring procedures
- Orthopedic surgery: ACL or meniscus repair, rotator cuff reconstruction, joint replacement, or any procedure performed under general or regional anesthesia
- Outpatient or ambulatory surgery center procedures: Most ASCs require medical clearance regardless of procedure type
- Any patient over 40 having elective surgery under general anesthesia
- Patients with chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, asthma, or heart disease, regardless of age
If you are unsure whether your procedure requires clearance, call Medi-Station and we will help you confirm what your surgical center requires. It is always better to complete the evaluation early — rushing a clearance in the 48 hours before surgery creates unnecessary stress and can delay your procedure if any diagnostic follow-up is needed.
Why Choose Medi-Station for Your Pre-Op Clearance in Miami?
Speed without sacrifice. Unlike a primary care office that may schedule new patients weeks out, Medi-Station accepts walk-ins and same-day appointments. You can walk in today and walk out with your clearance letter in hand tomorrow.
Everything under one roof. EKG, X-ray, and full laboratory services are performed on-site at our Miami Shores clinic. You will not be sent to three different locations for three different tests. Our clinical urgent care services are built for exactly this kind of comprehensive, efficient visit.
Board-certified expertise. Dr. Sanchez’s background in emergency medicine means he has seen the full spectrum of acute and chronic illness. He knows what surgical teams look for and what comorbidities to flag — and he communicates clearly with your surgeon’s office.
Affordable, transparent pricing. Medi-Station offers flat-rate self-pay pricing for uninsured patients and accepts most major insurance plans. There are no surprise bills for the EKG or X-ray that are performed during your clearance visit.
Bilingual care. Our team speaks both English and Spanish — essential in a diverse, multicultural city like Miami where a significant percentage of cosmetic surgery patients are Spanish-speaking.
Timing Your Pre-Op Clearance: A Practical Guide
Planning your clearance visit strategically can save you significant stress:
- Ask your surgeon’s office for the exact clearance requirements — which tests are needed and how far in advance clearance must be completed.
- Schedule your Medi-Station visit at least 2 weeks before your surgery date. This gives time to review results, address any unexpected findings, and resubmit documentation if needed.
- Bring your complete medication list including dosages, your surgeon’s contact information, and any prior medical records relevant to your history.
- Fast if bloodwork is ordered. If your surgeon requires a fasting glucose or lipid panel, plan your Medi-Station visit for a morning appointment after an overnight fast.
- Follow up promptly. If lab results require any follow-up action — a medication adjustment, a cardiology consult — your surgeon needs time to receive that information before your surgery date.
Ready to Schedule Your Pre-Op Clearance?
Get Cleared for Surgery at Medi-Station — Miami Shores’ Trusted Urgent Care
Whether you’re preparing for a cosmetic procedure at a Miami Beach surgical center or an orthopedic surgery at a North Miami hospital, Medi-Station Urgent Care is your fastest, most convenient path to a complete pre-operative clearance. Visit our pre-operative cosmetic surgery clearance page to learn more, or walk in any day of the week.
Book or Walk In for Pre-Op Clearance Today
Medi-Station Urgent Care — Miami Shores, FL | (305) 994-0032 | medistationurgentcare.com | Open Mon–Fri 9am–8pm, Sat–Sun 10am–5pm