Who are the best candidates for a rhinoplasty? Can I have an MRI if I am pregnant or breastfeeding? What are this risks involved in having a gastric bypass? How often does an epidural procedure cause a spinal headache? As the population in the United States ages, the need for accurate and easy to understand information on medical care will increase. This is especially true with regard to medical procedures and tests, given that these occasions can be an anxiety-producing experience. The Gale Encyclopedia of Surgery and Medical Tests, 3rd Edition, provides patients and caregivers a start-to-finish overview of a surgery or test, as well as information on related diseases and conditions, medications, and other issues that pertain to hospitalization, insurance plans, and the impact of the affordable Care act on all of the above. This information will help the average person understand what to expect with the procedure, empowering them to be better informed healthcare consumers and care advocates. This title can also serve as a ready reference for Junior college students and undergraduate students majoring in health fields. Written especially for patients and allied health care students by experts in the field, Gale Encyclopedia Of Surgery And Medical Tests provides in-depth coverage of approximately 600 surgical procedures, medical tests, and related topics such as anesthetics, common lab test and procedures, medications, and postoperative care. Entries for medical tests and surgical procedures follow a consistent format, covering definition, purpose, demographic information, diagnosis/preparation, aftercare, risks, morbidity and mortality rates, alternatives, and more. Additional features include 300 full-color illustrations and photographs, bibliographies of further reading sources, a glossary of medical terminology, appendices listing top centers for specific surgical procedures and national organizations and support groups for patients, and a comprehensive index. *Full-color illustrations and photographs. *Bibliographies of further reading sources. *A glossary of medical terminology; appendix listing top centers for specific surgical procedures and national organizations and support groups for patients. *A comprehensive index. *Questions to Ask Your Doctor sidebars within entries.