How
to Prepare for a Medical Check-Up in Bali: Fasting, Meds & What to
Bring
To prepare for a medical check-up in Bali, fast for 10–12
hours beforehand (water only), take your routine medications only if
your provider confirms it is safe, get a good night’s sleep, avoid
alcohol and strenuous exercise for 24 hours, and bring your passport,
any current medication list, and previous medical records. Good
preparation is the difference between accurate, usable results and a
wasted appointment — and because most international patients are
screening on a tight schedule, getting it right the first time really
matters.
This checklist exists because the most preventable problem we see is
people arriving un-fasted, then having to rebook blood draws or accept
skewed glucose and lipid readings. As the medical advisor for Bali Medical Checkup, I wrote this so you can walk in fully
ready. Below is everything to do in the days, night and morning before
your screening.
Why fasting matters
Several core blood tests are only reliable on an empty stomach.
Fasting blood glucose and the lipid
profile (cholesterol and triglycerides) are directly affected
by recent food and drink. Eating beforehand can falsely raise your
triglycerides and glucose, which may trigger unnecessary follow-up tests
or, worse, mask a borderline result. The standard guidance for these
tests is a 9–12 hour fast (MedlinePlus,
U.S. National Library of Medicine, “Fasting for a blood test”).
Aiming for 10–12 hours, water only, keeps you safely
inside that window.
What “fasting” actually
allows
- Plain water: yes, and you should stay hydrated — it
makes the blood draw easier. - Black coffee or tea: no. Even without milk or
sugar, it can affect some results. Skip it until after your bloods. - Chewing gum, sweets, juice: no. These break the
fast. - Smoking: avoid before the test, as it can affect
certain readings.
Your medications —
do not stop without asking
This is the most important safety point on the page. Do not
stop prescription medication on your own to “prepare” for a
check-up. Some medicines (for example, blood-pressure or
thyroid medication) are usually continued as normal; others may be timed
differently; and a few may be briefly paused only under medical
instruction. The right answer depends on you, so:
- Make a written list of every medication and supplement you take,
with doses. - Share it with your provider (or with our concierge team)
before the appointment. - Follow their specific instructions, and bring the list with you on
the day.
If you have diabetes and take insulin or glucose-lowering medication,
fasting needs to be handled carefully — tell your provider in advance so
they can advise safely.
The 24 hours before
- Avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours — it affects
liver enzymes and triglycerides. - Skip strenuous exercise the day before, which can
temporarily alter some blood markers and your ECG. - Sleep well. Poor sleep can nudge blood pressure and
heart-rate readings. - Stay hydrated with water throughout the day
before.
What to bring on the day
- Passport or government ID (required to register,
and essential for visa/residency medicals). - Your medication and supplement list.
- Previous medical records or recent test results, if
you have them — they give the doctor valuable context. - Insurance details, if you intend to claim or want
reports formatted for reimbursement. - A light snack and water for after your
bloods, so you can eat as soon as the fasting tests are done. - Comfortable clothing, ideally a two-piece outfit,
since you may change for imaging or an ECG.
Plan for a tight schedule
Many travellers screen on a one-day window. A typical full-body MCU
runs a few hours from check-in to the doctor consultation, with some
results delivered later. If you’re working around a flight or a packed
itinerary, read our guides on how long
screening results take and on combining
a wellness holiday with a check-up so your screening day actually
fits your trip.
A few situation-specific
notes
- Women: if your package includes a Pap smear, it’s
generally best not scheduled during your period; mention timing when
booking. See our women’s
health screening guide. - Urine sample: you may be asked to provide one on
arrival, so don’t empty your bladder right before you leave. - Glasses and hearing aids: bring them if vision or
hearing checks are part of your package.
Knowing what you’re walking
into
Preparation is easier when you know what the day holds. Our overview
of what’s
included in a full-body check-up and the main full-body check-up pillar
page describe the standard pathway from history-taking to final
consult.
Quick preparation FAQ
“Can I drink water while fasting?” Yes — and you
should. Staying hydrated makes the blood draw smoother and does not
affect the fasting tests. It is coffee, tea, juice, gum and food that
break the fast, not plain water.
“What if I accidentally ate something?” Tell the
staff before your bloods are taken. Some tests can still proceed; the
fasting-dependent ones (glucose, lipids) may need to be rescheduled or
repeated. It is always better to be honest than to risk an inaccurate
result that triggers needless follow-up.
“I take blood-pressure or thyroid medication — do I stop
it?” Usually no. Most routine medications are continued as
normal, but you must confirm this with your provider in advance rather
than guessing. This is the one rule worth repeating: never start, stop
or change medication on your own to “prepare.”
“How early should I arrive?” Give yourself time to
register, provide a urine sample, and settle before the bloods. Arriving
relaxed and on time also gives steadier blood-pressure and heart-rate
readings than rushing in.
“Can I exercise the morning of the test?” Skip
strenuous exercise the day before and the morning of — it can
temporarily shift some blood markers and affect your ECG. A gentle walk
is fine.
Why preparation protects
your results
Every step here exists to give you results you can actually trust. A
skipped fast skews your sugar and cholesterol; a forgotten medication
list leaves the doctor guessing; a missing passport stalls registration.
None of these are complicated, but together they decide whether your
screening day produces a clean, usable report or a frustrating set of
“please repeat.” Ten minutes of preparation the night before is the
cheapest insurance you can buy on the value of your check-up.
The simplest way to prepare well is to let someone coordinate the
details. The Sanur Health Concierge team confirms your fasting
instructions, checks medication questions with the facility, books a
time that fits your travel, and makes sure you arrive with everything
you need — so nothing has to be repeated.
Tell us your dates through the concierge
form or message us on WhatsApp at wa.me/6281139414563 and we’ll
send you a personalised preparation checklist.
Medical disclaimer: This content is for general education only
and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a
qualified doctor — and never start, stop, or change a medication based
on a web article. balimedicalcheckup.com is a medical-travel concierge
and does not provide clinical services.
Reviewed by Dr. Anindita Wirahadi, Medical
Advisor & Preventive-Health Lead, Sanur Health Concierge.