Venting about Cardiologists

I am beyond angry. I am scheduled for pre-op May 1st and surgery May 13th. I saw the cardiologist end of March. Well truthfully no I didn't. I had an appt with him, went there into the room waltzes the DO who just ignores everything I say and orders extra tests that I don't need. Start off slower Susan- girl comes in the do EKG, puts the lead on my left chest right where my implant begins( breast cancer) and where there is alot of scar tissue. Not being a doctor I don't know to say anything. She does a 30 second EKG and off she goes, this guy waltzes in, tells me that my R levels don't come back quick enough and it might mean there is scar tissue- umm yeah I tell him, she placed it right there- he says yeah it could cause that, but just in case let's do a nuclear stress test.What?! I ask to not have IV, he says no you have to. OK. My insurance turns it down as not medically necessary and truthfully I get a letter stating that I am low risk, don't need it and that he said that I came in complaining of chest pain and shortness of breath. Not true.- So I cancel the test, ask for his report to be sent to the surgeon, which they never do. I finally asked to be seen again-there is a group out here in the Hamptons and there are the ONLY game in town. They won't have anything available until the middle of May, they won't juggle to accomodate me since the wrong came in and said the real cardiologist was"busy and backed-up" and they are not doing anything further. I may have to go upisland, but now I have to find someone who will see me next week-otherwise I am out of luck. No surgery. ACK!!!!!

I don't know where you live, but I went to see Dr. Marco Papaleo (631-385-0022) in Huntington for my cardiology consultation. He is on the list of referrals that Dr. Holover gives you. He was great and tries to avoid a nuclear stress test if possible. He had me do a stress echo and said that as long as my heart imaged well, I would not have to have any injection. He is very familiar with WLS patients and knows what is required of Dr. Holover. Good luck and keep us informed. Hugs, Lisa

thanks Lisa - I am going to try first thing Monday morning to reason with my group- that way I don't have to take time off work- and if not- I'm going to call Dr Papaleo( who I was going to call int he first place but idiot that I am didn't)