cardiologist

Hi Kathy - thanks for responding and for your sound advice. What was the heart cath like? Any insight into my upcoming stress test and echocardiogram with die would be appreciated. Talk soon. Nancy G.

Hey Nancy - the heart cath was pretty uneventful. They inserted the cath in my right groin area and fed it up through to look at all the arteries and vessels to make sure there were no blockages. It was just slightly painful when they inserted the cath, but the worst part was all the pressure they have to apply afterward. The technicians had to put practically their entire body weight onto the insertion site to stop the bleeding. They also put some sort of "glue" type material. I think they called it some sort of plug. A lot of folks have a filter put in during this time to ward off blood clots, but I didn't have one. Anyway, it was fairly painless, no going up and down stairs for a couple days, some slight swelling and bruising at the site too. Granted, I think it depends a lot on your docs. The first time I had a heart cath in 1999 my doc practically killed me - I ended up with a pseudo anuersym at the cath site. I changed docs and this one was wonderful. No problems whatsoever.

Hi Nancy, I had weirdness show up on my heart testing also. I started out with an EKG and a Thalium Stress and echocardiogram which showed a shadow. They were concerned about so I had to go in for a stress echo..that was fun lol...I had to run on the tradmill and get up to max heart rate then hurry up and lay down very quickly to get the echo while still at almost max heartrate. UGH lol...anyway, it turned out fine and I got a clean bill of health and went on to have a very successful surgery. Most pre-op flags are scary but turn out to be nothing. good luck and soon you'll be on your way to the losers bench! Linda

Hi Nancy, All those test are procedure. I develope diabetes in my adult life due to being over weight. When I went in and had my gastric byepass, came home 3 days later and my sugar levels have stabled and I'm off all diabetes meds, blood pressure and acid reflux meds. I saw doctor peters too, he is cool! He gave me clearance to get my TT. I'm glad I did everything and I wish you all the luck with your journey.In the end, it's all worth it. I've had my knee replace now that I lost over 100 lbs. Im post opt 12/9/03 398lbs 5/20/06 255lbs Take care, Beth

Nancy, The tests you're mentioning are all pretty routine. I've been through all of them. My surgery was one year ago on 23 May 05. I had open RnY. I am down 100 pounds, BMI went from 49 to 34, total cholesterol is 140. I am a type 2 diabetic. I had developed insulin resistance and my blood sugar was off the charts. After surgery, my oral medications for diabetes were eliminated, and I was gradually weaned off the insulin shots. I was taking 60 units a day. I am now off ALL diabetes medications and my blood pressure runs about 100/68. Life is good! Good luck to you. The diabetes and heart issues are considered co-morbidities and are more likely to justify insurance coverage for your surgery. Take care! Jean

Nancy, I had Dr Kumar as well and like you I had some abnormalalities on the inital testing and he sent me for further testing - chemo stress and something, something ... at any rate, those showed some pretty serious arterial blockages and they scheduled me for an almost immediate Heart Cath at Christiana with likely stint placement and possible cardiac bypass. It scared the stuff right out of me (found out later there was nothing to worry about) But just like you, I tried to stick my head in the sand and ignore the "problem" BUT I even tried to talk Dr Kumar out of the further proceedures! (what was I thinking?) Like a good doc ... he ignored me and insisted that I had the cardiac cath regardless. He said that the situation was severe and that without it I could die suddenly. Needless to say I wised up ... and realized that I was no longer going to take any chances with my life. I had the cath and all was well ... they found no problems and said that my heart was as healthy as a 16 yr old. But it is better to be safe than to get on the OR table for an RNY and find out there are other problems. PLUS, I truly felt better going into the RNY knowing that I was as healthy as possible. Dr Irgau told me that one can never be 100% certain that they will not have problems, but they will do everything they can to avoid being surprised in the OR. Also, I was told that problems do not rule you out, but may change the way things are done as a pre-op, in the OR and in recovery. My PCP told me that we wanted to make sure that we uncoved everything possible before going into surgery to give me the best chance of success. Was also told to answer the sleep apnea questions with total truth as undiagoised sleep apenea was one of our bigger dangers that is easily avoided. At any rate, the cardiac cath was a breeze ... I felt no pain and recovery was almost instant with some slight restrictions by the doc to ensure the "plug" stayed intact ... also had to carry a card in my wallet for the next month in the event of an emergency. I also was put on blood thinners right before the cath and was kept on them for about a month after the cath if I remember correctly??? (getting old - don't really remember) haha

BTW - the worst part of the testing was all the waiting between all the testing. I spent hours there and was not allowed to leave the waiting room to even step outside. I suggest you take along something to keep you busy.

HIJACK! Tammy Nice pic, look how pretty you are. Dianne

This is a hijack of the hijack ... calling Dianne!!! Whadda ya talkin about ... that photo is Drop Dead Gorgeous Sweetie!!! BUT It is not me (sorry to say). It is a stock photo and my inspiration (hence the name - bikini bound) to continue working out and keeping my weight off and getting that all important tummy tuck ... Currently, I am just at tankini bound or actually tankini arrived! I will be dawning my tankini at the shore (read public here ) this weekend! However, I am pretty sure, okay, downright certain that even IF (HUGE IF) I ever had the body to do it, I will never do a bikini in public. Oh and you can trust that if anyone comes within shotting distance of me with a camera ... ummmm well, I won't be responsible!!! ha ha But thanks for the compliment just the same ... you have always been such a sweetie! *smoochie*

LOL Yesterday there was a face, it was pretty and I think it belonged to you. It's not there today!