Surgery Canceled - High triglycerides

[CodenameSpivey 3]

Well, I just got a call from my PCP - who informed my that my triglycerides were sky high and that she would not clear me for surgery. She wants me on meds and said that we can redraw labs in 3 months and see where we stand. My cholesterol was also slightly high.

From what I'm being told there's a chance my 90 day lifestyle program may expire by then, and I may have to start over from square one.

My main problem is aren't these two things that getting a bariatric surgery will help resolve? I mean, triglycerides and cholesterol are both issues from poor eating habits, and poorly managed diabetes can also lead to high triglycerides.. both of which are resolved by the surgery... I don't get it. I'm no professional but it doesn't make sense to me.

Any thoughts?

[kellyw74 258]

That is strange!!

Mine were high and I had surgery! I would only think that they would improve with surgery! What the heck? I mean my diabetes is in remission and I no longer have high blood pressure, so why wouldn't that?

Some dr.'s just don't think right!!! I am sorry. Can't you try and talk to him/her and see why they are thinking this way?

Kelly

Well, I just got a call from my PCP - who informed my that my triglycerides were sky high and that she would not clear me for surgery. She wants me on meds and said that we can redraw labs in 3 months and see where we stand. My cholesterol was also slightly high.

From what I'm being told there's a chance my 90 day lifestyle program may expire by then, and I may have to start over from square one.

My main problem is aren't these two things that getting a bariatric surgery will help resolve? I mean, triglycerides and cholesterol are both issues from poor eating habits, and poorly managed diabetes can also lead to high triglycerides.. both of which are resolved by the surgery... I don't get it. I'm no professional but it doesn't make sense to me.

Any thoughts?

[anonynurse 13]

Call your bariatric surgeon. It makes no sense to me either. Your triglycerides would not put you in advanced danger under anesthesia and the modified diet after surgery should help lower your triglycerides. You also should still be able to take meds for this after surgery. Is your PCP less than supportive for bariatric surgery?

I would want to know what your bariatric surgeon has to say about this. Technically you should not need your PCP's permission to have this surgery.

[DivaDee84 12]

Hello! Your PCP has nothing to do with your surgery. You don't even need to consult or get a clear from her or him. Your bariatric surgeon will & should make all the decisions...don't postpone your surgery because of that because the surgery will benefit you in the long run. Call your bariatric surgeon and see what they have to say about it.

[CodenameSpivey 3]

I just spoke to my PCP again, and they advised that being of my elevated triglyceride and cholesterol levels.. that I'd be high risk while under anesthesia.. i've never heard of this.. has anybody else?

My normal PCP doesn't do surgical clearance.. this is another physician that I went to soley for this reason.. I had a good EKG too as well.

[Was a humpty dumpty 35]

That is crazy, call your surgeon.

[Nancy Rivers 24]

call your bariatric surgeon - they are the one that will make the final determination.

[Bryn Dawson 9]

Oh no! I can understand EXACTLY how you are feeling as I went through a potential roadblock just last week. It is miserable!

But I agree with the other posters here - call your surgeon and see what they say. It is possible they will still operate, or will refer you to another PCP to do the physical. Also, keep in mind you can always get a 2nd opinion from another PCP for preop!

Good luck! I will be keeping my fingers crossed for you!

[CodenameSpivey 3]

Well I called and talked to my surgeon.. well his assistant.. and she said my lab levels were bad.. but he wasn't surprised by them, after all he deals with obese patients on a daily basis... He told me to start my pre-op diet now, and check my levels again in a week, as long as they've shown that they've gone down a bit with my diet, he's fine with doing the surgery.... so fingers crossed.

[Was a humpty dumpty 35]

Well I called and talked to my surgeon.. well his assistant.. and she said my lab levels were bad.. but he wasn't surprised by them, after all he deals with obese patients on a daily basis... He told me to start my pre-op diet now, and check my levels again in a week, as long as they've shown that they've gone down a bit with my diet, he's fine with doing the surgery.... so fingers crossed.

Yay! Look up what foods have low try levels and eat them. Drink a lot of lemon Water to flush things out , no wine or beer.

[Texasmom65 23]

I hope it works out for you. Good Luck

[CodenameSpivey 3]

Thanks..

I'm gonna go on a crash course on lowering triglycerides in one week, and going to hope for the best.

[kellyw74 258]

WALK, WALK, WALK!!!

That will help too!! I think also that they just want to freak you out to make you do well on the pre-op diet! My A1C's were really high and my surgeon, not my PCP told me that if my levels didn't come down, he would cancel my surgery! I worked hard on my pre-op diet and lost 55lbs because my surgeon is a no nonsense kinda guy and I figured he meant business!! He never even checked my levels again!!

Maybe because I had lost so much weight, he knew they were better, but I was kinda p-o'd that he didn't!! LOL

Seriously tho, walk. That is the best thing you can do besides your diet right now!

Good luck to you and keep us posted!!

Kelly

Well I called and talked to my surgeon.. well his assistant.. and she said my lab levels were bad.. but he wasn't surprised by them, after all he deals with obese patients on a daily basis... He told me to start my pre-op diet now, and check my levels again in a week, as long as they've shown that they've gone down a bit with my diet, he's fine with doing the surgery.... so fingers crossed.

[CodenameSpivey 3]

WALK, WALK, WALK!!!

I'm going too.. I wish I had more time.. I have one week.... I have to get labs drawn again, and have them show some kind of improvement. So I'm doing all the home remedies.. starting on my pre-op diet, drinking lots of Water, exercise, fish oil, taking all my Vitamins etc... I gotta put the hammer down and make it happen... My PCP also gave me a month supply of meds for cholesterol and triglycerides.. I don't know how fast those work... but hey, it's not gonna hurt... going to bring the serious ruckus this week to do this.. full focus... I need Mr. Miyagi, I'm gonna make a playlist for my ipod, gonna have eye of the tiger, and all those songs from the 80's that you always see on movie montages...

[Caliblonde 25]

Good luck! I'm glad the surgeon is willing to give you a chance to lower your tri levels before outright canceling surgery.