pre-op clearance

December 20, 2003

Hi everyone.... I have a question regarding the cardiology clearence needed for the surgery... I went today to the cardiologist and had an awful experience. I immediatly sensed that he was not all for WSL and then told me that " you people that are overweight don't understand that you can die from this bypass surgery". I told him 2x that I was not having that surgery and tried to explain the band to him. He was very difficult. Not very fat friendly at all. I felt a little humiliated by him. He found it hard to believe that I had no health problems and then insisted on schedualing several other tests for me ... My question... what where some of the tests other people had to have before getting clearence? He said he wouldnt give me surgery clearence till I had a diabetes test ..stress test and a ecco (not sure what that is) and a bunch of blood work. They did a EKG in the office and he said " it was normal for someone as big as you". he really was a prick. I also want to thank everyone for all the great information it has helped me a lot.

nicolekiper · December 20, 2003

Hi,

Oh my gosh, I can't beleive that Dr. If I were you I would call the and complain first to his supervisor and then to the Medical Association or what ever it is that you complain to about Dr.s His language was inappropriate and you do not deserve that discrimination!!!!!!!! Let him know how you feel and get a new Dr.

sassaay · December 20, 2003

I agree with Nicole... I hope you don't have to deal with him through this entire process.

I too am in the process of all the pre-op tests and hopefully getting closer to insurance approval. I had seen my doctor in July about my concerns with my weight... he had me meet with a dietician... quite frankly I was able to teach her a few things about nutrition :guess

And he also ordered a series of tests: Thyroid, Cholesterol, Glucose... All came back normal. After I finished my scheduled sessions with the dietician... I went back to my doctor told him I had been to a WLS informational seminar and wanted a referral to the surgeon.

I got the referral and met with the surgeon, she said my labs were recent enough that all I needed was an EKG (also normal) and a chest xray. I went back to my doctor for the EKG and hope to get the chest x-ray within the next week or so.

Then???? I guess I wait to hear from the surgeon and/or insurance. What a waiting game! But all worth it if I can get insurance to pick-up the costs. Right now the only negative effect of my weight is my BMI and some joint and back pain.

Good luck and try to stay strong... people who have never had a weight problem sometimes feels that they have the right to degrade those of us who struggle with our weight... We are all the same in on the inside and you deserve respect.

Olgrannyone · December 30, 2003

Originally posted by mimi
Hi everyone.... I have a question regarding the cardiology clearence needed for the surgery... I went today to the cardiologist and had an awful experience. I immediatly sensed that he was not all for WSL and then told me that " you people that are overweight don't understand that you can die from this bypass surgery". I told him 2x that I was not having that surgery and tried to explain the band to him. He was very difficult. Not very fat friendly at all. I felt a little humiliated by him. He found it hard to believe that I had no health problems and then insisted on schedualing several other tests for me ... My question... what where some of the tests other people had to have before getting clearence? He said he wouldnt give me surgery clearence till I had a diabetes test ..stress test and a ecco (not sure what that is) and a bunch of blood work. They did a EKG in the office and he said " it was normal for someone as big as you". he really was a prick. I also want to thank everyone for all the great information it has helped me a lot.

Mahoney · December 30, 2003

Yikes - can you find another cardiologist? I just went to a cardiologist recommended by my surgeon last week for clearance, and he was unusually enthusiastic about me having surgery. He went on about how his handful of patients that have had the surgery have come off medications and become much healthier. He gave me an EKG and looked at my recent bloodwork that I brought with me, and that was it. Did your surgeon require that you see this clown???

Stregamama · December 30, 2003

In reply to the pre-testing that my doctor required, here goes; EKG, EGD, Colonoscopy, stress test (probably because I am over 50), sleep study (glad I had that one, I have sleep apnea) a complete physical by my GP and Rheumatologist and a psychiatric evaluation

Stregamama · December 30, 2003

oops! I forgot the echocardiogram

Kiwigirl · December 30, 2003

Oh Mimi, where do these guys get to be so judgemental. They must have very sad lives. I always think to myself when I come across these twerps, "thank goodness I am going home with myself and you get to go home with yourself". Put this silly man behind you. He is only one on the planet, there are another six billion at the last count.

December 30, 2003

All cardiologists are not nice. I have been a nurse for 13 years and they all have the bedside manners of a dead fish.

However, an echocardigram (which takes pictures of your heart--it's neat) determines if the blood flow in your heart is good, and also if their are deformities.

The stress test lets the MD know how well your heart works under pressure. There are 2 kinds, the Persantine stress (injects a drug) and regular stress test where you are on a treadmill.

I have had both and preferred the regular stress test.

The EKG looks at how your heart is working electrically and can determine if you heart is overlarge as well.

Sounds like he is just being careful with you. Much better to be safe then to find out you have problems during surgery.

As long as he clears you, who cares is he is mean?

xelapaul · June 13, 2006

Hi I am a CardioVascular Sonographer and perform (among other procedures) echos----If your EKG showed normal and it was done properly (I have seen people with heart attacks/and completely normal) missdiagnosed because the first EKG was performed by unqualified personal (it is very important where electrodes are placed on body for proper results). Just like bonedensity scans echos and stresstests are becoming the bread and butter for many physicians (easy money too) out there I see noninvasive (and invacive:eek:) procedures performed on pt just because they meet the criteria NOT because the NEED IT. Having a "Dead Fish" bedside manner is one thing but being a cattle hurder is another.. check ar ound ask your pcp for a bariatric frendlier cardio doc. Or even better... Present the question to your local support groups or OH/LBT state forums

RLittman · June 17, 2006

The only pre-op work I needed was a psych eval (done over the phone), bloodwork (that had been done by my internist the month before) and EKG done in office with an internist who specializes in endocrinology and pulmonolgy. I got the name of this specialist from the bariatric doctor because my regular internist was not in favor of the lapband surgery. If you feel you are getting screwed around by this doctor, get a referral from the bariatric surgeon. No one should make you feel bad about this or any procedure. It just goes to show how we are often treated like 2nd class citizens with respect to our medical needs and issues.

foodstampchamp · June 18, 2006

Do different dr's want different tests ie: psych eval, nutritional assesment, etc for everyone or is it mostly a case by case basis? I am "auditioning for the band" myself and my surgeon wants 1 psych eval, 1 nutritional assesment, 1 pre-op support group meeting. I guess I will do labs based on what paperwork he gives me.