CARDIO SETBACK AND JUST NEED TO VENT!!!

HI EVERYONE!!! I COME TO THIS SITE AT VERY LEAST TWICE A DAY. I HAVE RESPONDED TO A FEW POSTS, BUT HAVE NEVER POSTED MY OWN MESSAGE EVEN THOUGH I HAVE BEEN A MEMBER FOR SOME TIME. AFTER READING JULIE SCHNEIDER'S POST TODAY ABOUT THE CARDIO ISSUE, IT HAS GIVEN ME THE INSPIRATION TO POST, SEEING HOW I AM GOING THROUGH THE SAME PROBLEM AS HERS AND HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THE ANXIETY ALL BY MYSELF AND REALLY JUST NEED TO VENT ABOUT IT AND NEED TO HEAR WORDS OF WISDOM. I TOO HAD ALL MY CLEARANCES INCLUDING THE CARDIOLOGIST. THEN BACK IN APRIL MY CARDIOLOGIST SAID HE GOT A COMPLETE READING OF THE NUKLEAR STRESS TEST AND HAD ME COME INTO HIS OFFICE TO DISCUSS IT. HE SAID IT CAME BACK AS ABNORMAL WHICH CAN MEAN A COUPLE OF THINGS: A BLOCKAGE OR MORE THAN ONE BLOCKAGE, OR IT COULD JUST BE A FALSE/POSITIVE READING WHICH MEANS THAT DUE TO BEING A VERY OBESE WOMAN ALL THE BREAST TISSUE AND FAT COULD HAVE JUST INTERFERED WITH THE PICTURE....WHICH HE SAYS IS VERY COMMON WITH THESE TESTS AND OBESE WOMEN.....SO I AM HOPING IT IS ONLY THAT!!!! BUT WHAT ALSO WORRIES ME IS THAT I ALSO COULDN'T GET UP TO MAXIMUM CAPACITY WITH THE TREADMILL PART OF THE TEST...BUT AGAIN THAT COULD BE JUST BECAUSE OF MY ASTHMA AS WELL AS HAVING A VERY SDENTARY LIFESTYLE....SO I JUST AM NOT USE TO EXERCISE. I MEAN I WASN'T HAVING CHEST PAINS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT DURING THE TREADMILL PART....ALLTHOUGH I DO GET CHEST PAINS AT OTHER TIMES. SO MY CARDIOLOGIST SAID THAT HE WAS GIVING ME CLEARANCE AND WAS GONNA LEAVE IT UP TO DR. BARBA TO SEE IF HE WANTED FURTHER TESTING BEFORE HE OPERATED ME. HE ALSO SAID I WAS TOO YOUNG TO HAVE A SERIOUS HEART ISSUE. AFTER HEARING HIS NONCHALANT ATTITUDE, I SPOKE TO MY PCP ABOUT A REFERRAL TO SEE ANOTHER CARDIOLOGIST FOR A SECOND OPINION. MY PCP WAS NOT PLEASED AT ALL WITH MY CARDIOLOGISTS ATTITUDE. YOU CAN NEVER BE TOO YOUNG TO HAVE A HEART ISSUE LET ALONE A HEART ATTACK. WHICH IS VERY TRUE SEEING HOW I KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS 29 AND HAD A MASSIVE HEART ATTACK AND SHE WAS A RELATIVELY HEALTHY YOUNG WOMAN, SHE WAS LIKE 105 POUNDS AND ATE REALLY GOOD AND DIDN'T DRINK, SMOKE, OR TAKE ILLEGAL DRUGS....SO GO FIGURE...REST ASSURED IT CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE AT ANYTIME NO MATTER HOW BIG OR HOW SMALL OR HOW HEALTHY. NEEDLESS TO SAY I HAD A SECOND OPINION DONE AND CHOSE TO GET RID OF MY FORMER CARDIO GUY AND KEEP THE NEW ONE PERMANENTLY. THIS NEW CARDIOLOGIST I FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE WITH. HE IS VERY SUPPORTIVE OF ME HAVING THE SURGERY AND FEELS IT WILL SAVE MY LIFE AND THAT THIS IS TH RIGHT PATH TO BE ON, GIVEN MY MEDICAL CONDITIONS, WEIGHT, AND AGE HE FEELS WLS IS THE BEST AND ONLY OPTION AT THIS POINT. OTHERWISE I WILL DIE AT AN EARLY AGE. MY OTHER DOCTOR WAS NOT FOR THE SURGERY AND WOULD ALWAYS GIVE ME HELL ABOUT IT HEN I WENT IN HIS OFFICE....I ACTUALLY STARTED TO DREAD GOING THERE!!! SO THE NEW HEART DOC SAID HE WANTS TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING IS OKAY AND THAT I WILL BE AT MY BEST HEALTH WHEN I GO UNDER THE KNIFE. SO I AM NOW SCHEDULED FOR AN ANGIOGRAM THIS UPCOMING TUESDAY JUNE 29TH, 2004 AT SAINT FRANCIS HOSPITAL. I PRAY TO GOD THAT EVERYTHING WILL GO SMOOTH AND THAT THEY WILL FIND NO BLOCKAGES, BUT GOD FORBID THAT THEY DO THEY WILL PERFORM THE BALLOON PROCEDURE-ANGIOPLASTY AND FLUSH THEM OUT, WHICH WILL THEN MEAN THAT THEY WILL KEEP ME OVERNIGHT TO FLUSH THEM OUT AND GET RID OF THEM. BUT LET'S PRAY THAT WILL NOT BE THE CASE SCENARIO!!! I AM JUST SO TERRIFIED OF THE PROCEDURE, BECAUSE I HEARD THAT THEY ARE NOT WITHOUT RISK. SUCH AS EXCESSIVE BLEEDING, BLOOD CLOTS, AND I GUESS THE PROCEDURE CAN INDUCE A HEART ATTACK OR STROKE....SO ALL YOU PRAYERFUL WOMEN...PLEASE PRAY EXTRA HARD FOR JULIE AND MYSELF. AND IF ANYONE ON THIS BOARD HAS EVER HAD THE ANGIOGRAM AND ANGIOPLASTY-BALLOON PROCEDURE, I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE AND THE PROCEDURE. MY NEW CARDIOLOGIST IS DR. SCOTT GALLE AT ST. FRANCIS HOSPITAL IN HARTFORD. THE PRACTICE NAME IS CENTRAL CONNECTICUT CARDIOLOGY. HE HAS SOME OTHER OFFICES SCATTERED THROUGHOUT CONNECTICUT. SO IF ANYONE HAS HIM AS THEIR DOCTOR OR HAD THE PROCEDURES DONE WITH HIM....I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FEEDBACK FROM YOU AS WELL. I JUST HOPE TO GOD THAT EVERYTHING GOES SMOOTHLY. I REALLY NEED THIS SURGERY TO SAVE MY LIFE. I AM 27 YEARS OLD AND WEIGH ABOUT 410 POUNDS, AND I AM ONLY FIVE FOUR AND A HALF. I HAVE SO MANY CO-MORBIDITIES SUCH AS SEVERE OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA, ASTHMA, TYPE II DIABETIC, PCOS(POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME), IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME, ESOPHAGITIS, ACID REFLUX DISEASE/GERD, MIGRAINE HEADACHES, SEVER DEPRESSION AND PANIC ATTAKS WITH SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER DUE TO BEING MORBIDLY OBESE AND HAVING A LOW SELF ESTEEM, CARPAL TUNNELL SYNDROME, FIBROMYALGIA, CHRONIC FATIGUE, THYROID TROUBLES, ANEMIA, SEVERE BACK, KNEE AND JOINT PAIN, ARTHRITIS, AND TROUBLE JUST DOING SIMPLE ACTIVITIES. I AM AT MY WITTS END AS YOU CAN PROBABLY TELL.....LOL!!!! I JUST SIMPLY WANT TO LIVE!!! I WANT MY LIFE BACK AND CONTROL OF IT!!!! ALSO I WAS WONDERING ABOUT THE WHOLE PROXIMAL/DISTAL THING. I AM ALL SET WITH DR. BARBA...AND I KNOW HE ONLY BYPASSES 100CM OF INTESTINE WHCH IS PROXIMAL. BUT JUST TOO SEE WHAT OTHER DOCS HAVE TO OFFER I AM ATTENDING DR. ARANOW'S SEMINAR THIS UPCOMING WEDNESDAY JUNE 30TH, 2004....HOPEFULLY IF ALL GOES WELL TUESDAY WITH THE ANGIOGRAM. I WAS WONDERING IF ANYONE KNOWS IF HE DOES DISTAL PROCEDURES??? OR HAVE HAD ONE WITH HIM AND HOW MUCH WERE THEY BYPASSED??!! ALSO JULIE IF YOU READ THIS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME. WE CAN HELP EACH OTHER OUT AND BE THERE FOR EACH OTHER, SEEING ON HOW WE ARE FACING THE SAME THING....PLUS I WILL BE GOING FIRST SO MAYBE I CAN LET YOU KNOW ABOUT MY EXPERIENCE WITH IT! SO AGAIN FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME.....AND ALSO ANYONE ELSE WHO MIGHT WANT TO, FEEL FREE AS WELL. I PROMISE EVERYONE, LAST QUESTION...LOL!!!! I HAVE HEARD ABOUT THIS DUODENAL SWITCH...HAS ANYONE HEAR HAD IT OR KNOW ABOUT IT? JUST CURIOUS LET ME KNOW!!! I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYONE HERE FOR LETTING ME VENT AND RAMBLE ON. SORRY FOR THE STUPID QUESTIONS AS WELL. YOU ALL DON'T KNOW IT SINCE I DON'T POST ALOT....BUT I REALLY FEEL SOLACE COMING HERE AND FEEL LIKE I KNOW YOU ALL JUST FROM LURKING ON THIS SITE. I FEEL LIKE I AM PART OF ONE BIG HAPPY FAMILY...AND I LUV YA ALL LOTS!!!! IF ANYONE HERE NEEDS ANYTHING WHATEVER IT IS JUST LET ME KNOW AND I WILL BE HERE FOR YOU AND HELP THE BEST WAY I CAN AND KNOW HOW!!!!! TILL THEN TAKE CARE AND GOD BLESS!!!!! YOUR FRIEND, MARY

Hi Mary, I am so glad that you decided to come here and vent. We really are a great group of people....and yes there are even some guys who stop by occasionally and lend their support or ask questions. It is great that you went to get a second opinion and found a doctor that you are comfortable with. We all need to feel as though we are getting the right care and the best we can get. I am sure that your tests will come out alright and if you do need the balloon isn't it better to know now and get it done before you have major surgery and could have serious problems. I know you have thought this all through and you are doing the right thing. Keep your chin up and we will all be praying for you. Don't be a stranger now that you broke the ice!! Linda

Mary: I agree with Linda. It was a good choice to get a second opinion. Better to be safe than sorry. I am really glad you posted. We can't lend you our support if we don't know what is going on. You will find out we are a great bunch on this board. I wish you all the best in your upcoming tests and will say a little prayer for you. I hope to see more posts from you and please keep us updated as to how you are doing!!! Take care, Chryssie

Hello Mary, Welcome to Ct Board Message. Thank you for venting on us. We all are good listening, great support and give you some advices. I know Julie will be thrilled to have you to talk with since both of you are same boat. I am glad you went to see other doctor and feel comfortable with him. Hang in there and keep us posted about your update processing. I will keep you in my prayer Kathy k

Hi Mary, Welcome to the Connecticut Board. I'm so glad you decided to come out of hiding. It sounds like you have really done your homework and are very knowledgeable about wls. I'm sorry you are running into a few bumps in the road, but I'm glad you found a doctor that you are comfortable with. It's really important to have confidence in your doctor and his decisions. I hope that your test goes well and you will be able to continue your journey. I've never had an angioplasty so unfortunately can't offer any advise except to say that your doctor sounds like a wise man and wants to cover all the bases. Please feel free to come here and vent anytime, we are a very supportive group and welcome all. You'll be in my thoughts and prayers and please let us know how you do. Don't be a stranger!!! Mary Lou

Hi Mary, First off I want to say Hi and welcome you to the CT board. Everyone one here is very supportive and I personally don't know what I would have done without them. Please please do keep in touch and email me any time also. I am glad sharing my cardio issue helped you come forth for support. Let me know how Tuesday goes. I spoke to a few people who have had it and they say it is not bad at all just make you sure you tell them if you have back issues because you will be laying down for a long time. I know the stress and anxiety you are feeling but just try to think happy thoughts and know you are in good hands. The Dr. will be right there and if God for Bid something does happen you are in the best place to be, right at the hospital. I do not know much about Dr. Barba but I do of Dr. Aranow. His seminar is very informative and he knows his stuff. He put me right at ease and I have 100% confidence in him. I believe if you have a larger amount of weight to lose then a larger amount of the intestine is bypassed which is distal and I am almost positive Dr. Aranow does this. As far as the different surgeries I would bet Dr. Aranow would suggest the RNY for you but here is some info on the Duodenal Switch-DS. An improvement of the BPD (it is also referred to as 'BPD/DS'). Here again, there is a significant malabsorptive component which acts to maintain weight loss long term. The patient must be closely monitored to guard against severe nutritional deficiencies. This procedure, unlike the BPD, keeps the pyloric valve intact. That is the main difference between the BPD and the DS. ADVANTAGES -more "normal" absorption of many nutrients than with BPD, including calcium, iron and vitamin B12 -better eating quality when compared to other WLS procedures -eliminates or greatly minimizes most negative side effects of the original BPD DISADVANTAGES -greater chance of chronic diarrhea -significant malabsorptive component -more foul smelling stools and flatus, but less than with the BPD I also wanted to let you know, I am not sure how far you have gone into this site but if you click on "Your Journey" on the top of the page you can learn everything from A-Z about the different WLS's(I believe there 7 or 8 of them). Also the different surgeons have info on here too. I hope I answered all of your questions or helped you with some concerns. Just remember you have so many people routing for you and many prayers being made for you. You'll get through this (WE will get through this) and it will just make you a stronger person in the process. Email me anytime. I will help you in any way I can and we live close to each other so we can always get together for some coffee (de-cafe I guess because we are going to have to get used to it) Hugs ~Julie~ Pre-Op 350

I just want to thank all of you for being there for me, and for those *****plied to me thank you so much for the support. Well today Is the day I go for my angiogram, and hopefully all goes well! Please keep me In your thoughts and prayers. I must go now and get ready for the hospital! I will post when It Is all said and done. I t might not be till tomorrow, If they keep me overnight! Take care and God Bless to you all!!!!! Hugs, Mary