cardiologist

Hi All - went to Chrias and met with Dr. Peters yesterday - what a great guy! Really enjoyed my visit. All gung ho to get started, I actually got an appt with a cardiologist, Dr. Kumar, today. I have diabetes so there is concern there about making sure I will be okay. Well, all went well - another very nice doctor btw- I had an "abnormal" ecg/ekg in his office. He never said anything to me about it but the admin pointed it out as we were talking and I was paying. Freaked me out and the doc came back out and told me that the machine is calibrated for a 150 lbs man at age 40 so the readings were most likely off because that is not me! I have to go for a stress test and an echocardiogram as well - assured this is routine because of the diabetes. My question to you all have any of you had this sort of situation crop up? abnormal ecg/ekg, had to do a stress test, etc.? I didn't realize how scary these preop things were going to be. I sure hope I don't have something that bars me from the lapband surgery. Thanks Nancy G.

Also, I guess what I am asking is if something is wrong - sleep apnea, heart problems, lung problems, does that automatically put you out of the running for this surgery? Do you think the doctors will help you to resolve these problems and then reassess for the surgery? NG

Nancy, For sleep apnea the normal requirement is that you use a CPAP for at least six (?) weeks prior to surgery. The heart and lungs not sure about, but Wynn and Irgau have always required the pre-op testing, stress and ekg test. They want to make sure that if problems arise during surgery they can refer to a cariologist who is familiar with your case. The doctors will fill you in with any information you need. Rob

Thanks Rob. I have always had this issue to ignore stuff that scares me about my health. This pre-op testing is opening up some places I don't want to go but must. It is better to know if there is a problem but my instincts are to run the other way and say I don't want to know. Wierd. Nancy G.

Nancy, Many of us prior to making the commitment to have the WLS have tried to ignore the "bad" stuff. Never wanted to go to the doctor and hear the news. Especially never wanted to hear that maybe I should see a specialist. But now I have a lot more confidence in both delivery of the news and recommended remedies. My list of hero surgeons and doctors just keeps getting longer, but for what they have done in my rebirth, and to the opportunities they have opened for all my friends. Still looking for a hobby... Rob

Nancy, I also have Diabetes along with other co-morbities. For pre-op to my Lap Band surgery I had to see a Cardiologist that ordered the stress test and echo, Pulmonologist which ordered the sleep study and pumonary function test, had a EGD, Pysch doctor, Endocrinologist (for my Diabetes) and Life skills classes thru Christiana.Yes these all did take awhile to complete but for me it has been a sucess and the best decision that I have made for my health. Please let me know if you have any questions.....

Hi Sharon - how are you doing with your diabetic meds? Off of them or reduced. Dr. Peters told me that I probably would be able to come off the meds if I stick to the whole program. I hate this diabetes dx. I was on prednisone for 8 months due to asthma and then rashes. They tell me it kicked the diabetes in but that the weight - 233 - is keeping it on. I am so frightened for my children - both adopted and already lost one mom, I don't want them to lose me too. Thank you for your input. Nancy G.

Nancy, All the test you are going through are normal. They want to know all about you from the inside out before your surgery. I was an uncontrolable diabetic on 5 insulin shots per day along with tons of oral meds for all kinds of other problems. I even had to have a cardiac catherazation 5 days before my surgery because my stress test was a little abnormal. I think there are very few problems that would prevent you from having WLS but you can call Dr. Peters and talk to him about it for some reassurance. Their main goal is to make sure there are no surprises when they start the surgery. Good Luck and keep asking questions. The more you know the better the whole journey will be. Ellen P.S. I had my surgery 11 months ago and am off all meds and no longer need a C-pap machine for sleep apnea. Life is great.

Hi Ellen - thank you for your reply. I really liked Dr. Peters and I am going to take your advice and call Chrias to talk to them about these concerns. I just figured that if you had blockage in the heart or some other issue that is serious, the surgery is off. I was afraid of that because I think you all know the feeling of "no other option" when you have tried and tried for years with minimal success to lose and your medical issues like diabetes are hurting your body day by day. I don't even want to think about the sleep apnea yet lol. Don't know if I have it or not. I have been on Zoloft for several years now to help me deal with panic attacks and anxiety. I used to have some obessesive compulsive tendencies. One of the things I always used to do was to worry about having all kinds of diseases lol - like cancer or this or that. I even got so bad that I went on the web and scared myself silly over different ailments I thought I might have. It was just awful. Zoloft is wonderful at managing these issues. BUT...deep inside, they are still there and I have to fight the impulse to think, oh my goodness, I have heart disease because my ekg was abnormal, even thought the doc told me it was because of the machine and the fact that I am obese. I go to my aquacise class today and I am waiting for chest pains to start lol. So, my instinct is to say forget this surgery as I have to find out things I don't want to and I'll just try the southbeach diet again lol. I actually thought this last night for a few minutes. Anyway, I will plug forward and realize that my mental health issues will crop up through this process and I will have to recognize them, acknowledge them, and work through them. Just writing this helps me a lot so thanks to you all for listening! My parents live in Hockessin and I grew up there from 13 up. I live in Kemblesville, PA even though my address is Lincoln University so I am very close to your area. Talk soon. Nancy G.

Hi Nancy, My cardiologist performed a stress test and heart cath on me before he would clear me for surgery. I have an atrial tachycardia so he didn't try to second guess himself. I feel it's much better for them to be thorough then to run into complications during or after surgery. Don't worry. If you feel you're not getting enough info from your doc - request a second opinion - it's your right!!!! I actually wanted the doc to do the heart cath, that way there was absolutely no question. I'd rather be safe than sorry.