Pre-op testing - what tests?
Joanne, thanks for replying. I am afraid of endoscopy (saw my late mother's doctor do it on her in the hospital years ago, it was just uncomfortable for her, but for me it made me afraid even though her GI doctor was and is one of the best on Staten Island) and the upper GI series - is that drinking that vile stuff but they only check the upper tract?
The other tests, no problem. I guess I have to grin and bear it, whatever the insurer requires (GHI), or is every doctor's office different as far as pre-tests?
We'll find out Monday nite at the info session, what Staten Island University Hospital tells us. Again, thanks, Dorothy
In addition to the testing mentioned above, I went for sleep study, phycological evaluation, endoscopy, stress test. Let me tell you one important thing. These tests are for your safety. Worst case scenario, if your insurance denies you the operation, you would have never gone for these tests. Hopefully all of them come back negative. Not in my case, but I am so thankful.
Quick story, I was four days from my operation for gastric bypass(that was Labor day weekend 2006), I went for pre-op testing(which is after all the tests mentioned above). The doc saw an abnormal something on the EKG (thank god for my PCP Dr. Seth Eisen in Massapequa NY) I then made a cardiologist appt for an angiogram and I didn't get to go home that day. They found I needed a double bypass.I was on the operating table within an hour . I had no pain no sign of anything. They said I had a condition called "The Widow Maker"(self expainatory). If this wasn't detected when it was, I wouldn't be writing this today.
I have since been able to get an OK for Lap Band and am doing pretty good.
I just wanted to explain to you the importance of the testing. I t is in my opinion the most important portion of this whole experience, the weight lose is second and the reward is erasing all those conditons that have plagued you as you mentioned above. It's a God send to do this but ,it's not the magic pill either, you have to work at it, it is a great tool that you never had before Good Luck .
Lou, what an amazing and gratifying outcome! I have heard people going in for testing and then they find out they have something else! Whatever they need, I will commit to getting the pre-test. You are so lucky!! Lap band is a tool I understand and at this point in my and my husband's lives, we are on a crash course to all sorts of problems. We are on numerous medications for the conditions that obesity causes and our parents did not start taking meds until they were in their 70-80's! At this rate we won't even see our grandchildren. Thank you for writing about this and good luck!
Well then Dorothy ,Grandchildren is the key word. A month before my ordeal started, one of my children had a baby boy named Ncholas. He is everything anyone has ever told you about grandkids and more.This is another great reason to get healthy, so they can be with you for as long as the man upstairs allows.
I hope now my other daughter(oldest) who I can tell you secretly that I did this operation to set an example for, has taken the plunge and is in the testing stage with the same doctor but she has her heart set on Gastric bypass.I am exctied.
I have three children 2 girls and one boy. One married with the little guy, the oldest girl 33 with the same problem that we all on here have in common and a son just turned 29 who has a models build. To complete my job as a father, I want only that they are all happy and settled, that is my reward.
I waiting patiently for my oldest girl to have a life again and hopefully the self esteem to approach her life with new meaning with weight loss. My son is working very hard and hasn't really found the right one yet. (didn't want to leave him out), Good Luck to you and I hope all will work out for you and your husband medically and in every way Lou
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