cardiac ischemia

So here is my latest monkey wrench in my quest for surgery. During my stress test which was required for cardiac clearance, I was found to have cardiac ischemia (lack of oxygen in one area of my heart) probably caused by a build up im my arteries. My next step is now cardiac catheterization to better analyze the situation and if needed put in a stent. If I don't need a stent, there is a possibly I could continue with my quest for surgery and have it done in the near future. If I need it, it would mean at least 3 months wait.  Anyone else have any experience with this condition or the procedure??

Kathy, So sorry to hear about this - but at least they caught this early.  It is good you are going for the cath - they definately need to see what's going on in there.  You should do fine.  If you DO need a stent (which I'm hoping you don't, of course) can they still do the surgery at a later time?  You may just need to wait a little longer, and then get cleared by the cardiologist. Oh, the procedure is fairly "simple" (although nerve racking)  Most of the time they numb a small area in your groin very well and insert a little wire with a camera into an artery there.  Then they follow that to the heart (they are watching this on a video screen PS while they are doing it) and put some dye into it. The dye goes where the bloodflow goes.  It shows where the damage to the heart is exactly.  Also, while going through the vessels, they can see how much build up you have etc.  I'm not a hundred percent sure if stents are placed at this time or if another procedure is scheduled.  The stend ensures that your arteries do not close w/ the blockages.   Afterwards you have to lie flat for a little while with a lot of pressure (like a small sand bag) on your leg to make sure you don't bleed.   Then most go home from what I understand. I wish you all the luck and keep us posted!! Pam

I actually feel very fortunate that this was caught when it was. My surgeon didn't even require cardiac clearance, the insurance company did. So if it had not been for them being so stringent I may have found out the hard way :(  I have read up on the procedure a lot since Friday but it still makes me nervous!! I will keep everyone posted as soon as I get home, which I am hoping to have it done on Tuesday.  :::Fingers crossed:::::

Being nervous is always expected, especially when somebody tells you...hmmm....your heart doesn't look like it's getting enough oxygen.  WHAT??  C'mon now.... Anyway, just wanted to offer my support.....can't wait to hear how it goes. Pam

hi kathy  it's nice that they found out now and not on the table with a complication!!  3 months is only 3 months -- its not that long -- i believe that everything happens for a reason -- time to slow down and gather your thoughts about what is going on -- making sure you have done enough research -- always a reason  doing a stent is easy -- if you need one -- it's outpatient these days -- they dont' even put you to sleep or anything - just in a bed -- couple of wires -- and the instrument to put in the stent -- all done  -- go P and go home -- it's pretty amazing!!  i know what it's like to have set backs when you are trying so hard to get the surgery done and over with and just start losing this stupid weight!! as i was in the middle of my 6 month diet i was slammed with a 28 week medical treatment for another illness -- 28 weeks??? are you kidding me?? that takes me into september!! my 6 month diet ends in april!! what the???? grrr then when the 28 weeks were over -- mind you i was approved in june -- when the 28 weeks were over and i had surgery scheduled for october i was still extremely anemic from the 28 weeks -- surgery date is now in november -- this is crazy!! i'm going to run out of time -- my approval was only good for 6 months -- but everything worked out -- and i stayed positive -- i still smiled -- cuz if i ever started to cry i would still be crying -- so take it slow --and see what the cardiologist is planning after the next test -- and keep us posted -- and if you want to yell and scream then just do it :) we'll all listen :) and we'll all be here for ya :)  good luck roberta

Roberta,  Thank you so much for your input and encouraging words. It means a lot to me. I have had other roadblocks myself....besides my own unassurances I mean hahaha. I hope to be done on Tuesday. I will post again once I am home.

Kathy, I'm sure it's frustrating to have to deal with this setback, hell I was frustrated by insurance snafus, but I'm sure at least part of your purpose for having the surgery is attaining a healthier you, and had this not been detected, the results might have had a different ending. . .  Thankfully, today they can detect such things and put stents in, before the problem becomes a heart attack, stroke and/or possibly open heart surgery to correct something that has created a major life complication and believe me in the last 10 years it's come a long way.  I hope that your procedure, which was very well explained by Pam, goes smoothly and that you get to your WLS day soon, hey look at it this way, think how quickly the time between September and the holidays goes. . .  maybe you'll be a New Year's WLS Baby! I wish you well, hang in there girl!

Laureen,  I am trying to keep a positive outlook but I have one other issue to add. I might be losing my job the first week of October and cannot really afford COBRA. I do have NJ Family Care as my secondary but that would mean switching surgeons AGAIN and traveling further for surgery and aftercare. Not that it would be the end of the world, but I just want this done and over with all ready :)

Kathy, That is tough, but let me just tell you that tying yourself into what might be is creating undue stress, your surgery will take place, it's a question of the when and I do understand that you want it done already, just stay in the positive frame of thoughts and outcomes!   I'll be praying and sending positive thoughts out for you!

Thank goodness it something they found now that they can correct if need be.

The cardiac catheterization is not as bad as it sounds. The worst part is that you have to lay flat for a few hours with the sandbag. Mine may have been longer than most since I'm on blood thinners for my heart disease. If they need to put in a stent, it's only another 3 months.

Good luck.