Your surgeon has asked for a pre-operative “clearance” before your procedure. At Archangel Michael Health, Dr. Christopher L. Bray, MD — a board-certified internist — performs a comprehensive pre-operative evaluation at your home, your office, or your referring physician’s office in Gainesville, completes your surgeon’s paperwork, and sends everything directly to your surgical team.
No waiting weeks for a primary care appointment, no rushed fifteen-minute visit, and no wondering whether the forms made it to the surgeon’s office. One unhurried visit with one physician who takes the time to get you safely ready for surgery.
What a pre-operative evaluation really is
“Clearance” is the word most surgeons and patients use, but a good pre-operative visit is more than a signature. Its purpose is to identify anything that could raise your risk during or after surgery — heart, lung, kidney, blood sugar, bleeding, or medication issues — and to get those optimized before you go to the operating room. Dr. Bray gives your surgeon and anesthesiologist a clear assessment of your risk and specific recommendations; the final decision to proceed is always made together with your surgical team.
What’s included in your visit
- A comprehensive history and physical exam focused on your planned procedure and type of anesthesia
- Cardiac and pulmonary risk assessment using validated tools and an evaluation of your functional capacity
- A careful review of every medication and supplement, with clear instructions on what to continue, adjust, or hold — coordinated with your surgeon
- A 12-lead ECG performed in your home when it is indicated
- Ordering only the tests that are actually indicated for you and your procedure
- Professional interpretation of your results and communication of findings to you and your surgical team
- Completion and signature of your surgeon’s pre-operative forms, sent directly to their office
- A plain-language explanation of your risk and what to expect
Testing: only what you actually need
Current guidelines from the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology advise against routine testing for people having low-risk procedures or who have good functional capacity. Many patients need little or no testing; others benefit from targeted labs, an ECG, or further cardiac evaluation. Dr. Bray orders only what is appropriate for your health history and your surgery.
- Lab work can be billed to your insurance, or you can use our discounted cash lab pricing.
- A 12-lead ECG, when indicated, is performed during the same visit and is included in the evaluation fee.
- Additional cardiac testing, when truly needed, is coordinated with your insurance and local specialists.
Pricing
Simple, upfront pricing — no insurance required for the visit and no surprise bills.
- Comprehensive pre-operative evaluation (house call): $175 — includes the exam, a 12-lead ECG when indicated, ordering and interpretation of any needed tests, communication of results, and all surgeon paperwork
- 12-lead ECG, if indicated: included — performed and read during the same visit at no extra charge
- Lab and imaging costs are separate and can be billed to your insurance or paid at our discounted cash rates
Already an Archangel Michael Health member? Pre-operative evaluations are included in your membership — just let us know your surgery date.
Who we see
- Adults 18 and older preparing for surgery or a procedure that requires a pre-operative evaluation
- Visits in Gainesville and Alachua County, Florida — at your home, your office, or your referring physician’s office
- No membership needed for a one-time pre-operative evaluation
When to schedule
Schedule your evaluation two to four weeks before surgery when possible. That leaves time for any testing and for adjusting medications or treating a condition that needs attention first. Most surgeons and surgery centers require the evaluation to be completed within 30 days of your procedure, so check your surgeon’s specific timeline.
Your medications and supplements
Some medications need to be stopped, adjusted, or continued in a specific way before surgery. Common examples include blood thinners, diabetes medicines such as SGLT2 inhibitors (which are usually held for three to four days before surgery), GLP-1 medicines such as semaglutide and tirzepatide (which most patients can now continue, sometimes with a liquid diet the day before), blood pressure medicines, and supplements such as fish oil, vitamin E, ginkgo, and garlic that can affect bleeding. Please do not stop any medication on your own — Dr. Bray will give you an individualized plan and coordinate it with your surgeon and anesthesiologist.
How to prepare
- Your surgeon’s pre-operative forms and their office fax number or email
- The date and type of your planned procedure
- A complete list of your medications, including vitamins, herbs, and supplements
- Any recent lab work, ECGs, echocardiograms, stress tests, or specialist notes
- Your CPAP machine settings if you use one for sleep apnea
Frequently asked questions
Is “clearance” a guarantee that surgery will be safe?
No evaluation can eliminate all risk. A pre-operative evaluation identifies and reduces your risk and gives your surgical team the information they need. The final decision to proceed is made together with your surgeon and anesthesiologist.
Do you bill insurance?
Archangel Michael Health does not bill insurance for visits. You pay one transparent price for the evaluation. Lab work and imaging can still be billed to your insurance.
How far in advance should I schedule?
Ideally two to four weeks before surgery. Most surgical facilities require the evaluation within 30 days of the procedure.
Will you send the results to my surgeon?
Yes. Dr. Bray completes your surgeon’s forms and sends the evaluation and any test results directly to the surgical team, and he is available to speak with them if needed.
Will I need an ECG or blood work?
Not always. Testing is ordered only when it is indicated by your health history and the type of surgery. When an ECG is needed, it is done during the same visit at no extra charge.
What if something is found that needs attention?
Dr. Bray will explain the finding, help optimize the condition, coordinate with your surgeon and any needed specialists, and, if necessary, recommend a short delay so that your surgery can proceed as safely as possible.
Can this be done by telehealth?
The pre-operative evaluation requires a hands-on physical exam, so it is done in person. Follow-up on results can often be handled by phone or video.
Schedule your pre-operative evaluation
The first step is our New Patient Application. It takes just a few minutes — once it’s in, we’ll contact you to schedule your visit. Please let us know your surgery date so we can make sure everything is completed on time.
Not ready to commit yet? Request a free discovery call or call (352) 441-9110, and Dr. Bray’s team will set up a time to answer your questions. You may also want to learn more about direct primary care in Gainesville.