Lab Work

[sunnymj 0]

I just started to see my PCP for my weigh in, this month is my 2nd visit. I had lab work done & found out my cholesterol (good & bad) is very high, my sugar is boarder line, my liver is enlarged (fatty). My TSH always comes back with in normal range, but I have noduals (sp) on my thyroid. My question is will these test results help or hinder me for getting my BC/BS to cover lapband surgery? My BMI is 37. My surgeon who will be doing the procedure gave me a very long list of tests to have done, like colonoscopy . Pap test, mammogram, upper GI, chest xray, sleep test & a few other tests that I can't even remember right now. Just got a call while typing this from my Dr saying he wants me to see someone about my liver. Wondering if this is surgery is worth having now. Just getting even more depressed. Two reasons why I gained 60lbs is because I can't exercise & move around is because I was in an auto accident & I quit smoking!!! My lifestyle has changed drastically because I have back, neck & arm problems, I'm limited in what I can & can't do. Any suggestions would be appreciated. TY

[cmoody821 44]

I think all the testing they are having you go through is to make sure you will make it through the surgery. Getting your health in order first is a good thing. We wouldnt want anything bad to happen. Dont give up, just take it day by day and have the testing done. Before you know if you will be banded and healthier than ever.

I think these issues will actually help your insurance cover the procedure.

[Jean McMillan 2,973]

High cholesterol is considered a co-morbidity of obesity so that could increase your chance of getting approved. Diabetes is also a co-morbidity. An enlarged, fatty liver is extremely common in obese patients. It wouldn't hurt to see a specialist about it, just to be safe. Many surgeons have their patients do a pre-op "liver shrink" diet to make surgery safer (part of the liver lies on top of the stomach, so the surgeon has to be able to safely manuever it out of the way to place the band).

Pre-op tests and evaluations are done to make sure you're healthy enough to have surgery, but your surgeon's list of tests sure is a long one. This is the first time I've heard of a bariatric patient needing a colonoscopy, PAP, and mammogram before their surgery. I can't imagine why an insurance company would want need to see the results of those tests in order to approve surgery that takes place in the upper GI tract. Nothing wrong with doing those tests, but I would ask your surgeon's office to clarify which of those are needed for your insurance company and which are for your surgeon's benefit (and probably not necessary to prepare you for bariatric surgery).

[honk 780]

Have you considered Water based exercise? It is much easier on your joints. Anytime you are not sitting on your couch is good exercise.

[sunnymj 0]

Honk, I move my feet a lot through out the day & night. We just opened our pool, so I'll be in it exercising. My eating is more emotional than anything. Yesterday my grandchild was buried.

Jean, I had most of those test done a little over a yr ago except for upper GI, chest xray & colonoscopy. My daughter is in the medical field & said everyone who is over weight has a little larger or fatty liver. Sometimes I wonder if these tests are done mostly unnecessarily because insurance pays.

[Jean McMillan 2,973]

Jean, I had most of those test done a little over a yr ago except for upper GI, chest xray & colonoscopy. My daughter is in the medical field & said everyone who is over weight has a little larger or fatty liver. Sometimes I wonder if these tests are done mostly unnecessarily because insurance pays.

Yeah, I wonder that exact same thing!

[Kate rules 43]

So sorry about your loss. May I suggest you start (if you haven't been already) seeing a therapist. I still struggle with emotional including stress eating.

I think your comorbidities can help you. But the other poster was right when they said that you may have to do a liver shrinking diet before surgery.