Visit to the Cardiologist

Hi!

Dr. Torquati's office called and requested I see a cardiologist  before my 1/15 visit with him.   Has anyone else had to visit the Cardiologist before seeing the surgeon?   What exactly do they do?   

Judy

It is SOP for my DH's surgeon.  BUT, we expected the cardiologist visit to be the last thing he needed to do before his surgeon visit.  (it was July 30th) WRONG!!!  She ordered a stress test.  He is too big for the equipment at the office they referred him to.  He was told he would have to go to the hospital and have it done over 2 days!  Finally got it done at our own PCP's office, in just 1 morning.  Found a problem.  He had to have a heart cathaterization.  1st one had to be rescheduled due to questionable results on blood test.  Finally got that done.  Some clogging of one artery, but still OK for surgery.

He will FINALLY get his band on Feb 2.  He first consulted his PCP about WLS in Feb 2008.  So it has taken him a year!  He is SOOO ready!

I was self-pay in Mexico and didn't have to do all that stuff.  But I had no co-morbidities!

Carolyn - love your new avatar - you are sooo skinny !

Shelia

Judy - my PCP wouldn't send the recommendation letter needed for the surgical office until I had gone to a cardiologist.  It was not recommended by my surgeon... so I went.  All they did was an EKG and discuss my lifestyle now and the changes that would be expected with WLS.  I had lapband and the doc said it was considered a low risk surgery and didn't see any problems with going ahead with my plans.

Good luck !

Shelia

I had to get clearance from a cardilologist because I have a congenital heart murmer. It causes me no problems but everytime I see a new doc for some reason it raises red flags for them so now I just maintain a relationship with my cardiologist so it can be watched. I have been told that sometime in my future I may need a valve replacement but so far so good and I am 51 nearly 52 years old. The weightloss may help me to put it off for a good number of years.

Yes, this is normal.  So is being sent to a psychologist, a gastroenterologist, and any other specialist that your surgeon and/or his staff see fit.  I had to do it all. 

It is a PITA but you know what?  This is a great sign that your surgeon is the right sort.  Some DRs out there get ya in and out with no teaching, no in-depth look into what is going on with you physically, emotionally, etc. and YOU pay for it in the long run, dearly.  

This is a good sign.  Things are moving along!

best,

Fre