Does anyone know ...?

Good evening ya'll.. I went to my sleep center today for the results of my sleep study done a little over 2 weeks ago. I was told several things that have me a bit worried about what my surgeon will do concerning the results. 1) I have a severe apnea, stopped breathing about 55-63 times an hr.. 2) My oxygen levels dropped to about 68% through most of my study, during times I was sleeping. 3) I had several episodes where my heart would drop from 60 all the way up to 107 bpm. ..I can not remember what she called this but it worries me. I have known for some time about heart issues because in 1997 I had a slight heart attack, and have been told on several occassions I had beginning stages of congestive heart failure and would have to have the fluid drained from around my heart..however never considered this to be a problem that would prevent me from having surgery..The way I always saw it was that if we get this wt off then all of the health issues would improve or go away..now I am scared I will not be approved to have the surgery at all. She said the transcription report would be sent to Dr Hodges in about a week so when I have my appt the end of august he would have all the information needed.. so I guess what I am really desperate to find out is, does anyone else have any heart issues like this and still been able to have surgery? If I have to go through a cardiac clearance I am ok with that, I really hate to die on the table because of something undiagnosed or whatever, but there is also a part of me too that is worried I won't pass and if that happens I am sure to die from the obesity and health issues related to it. And i was curious if anyone else is on oxygen with thier cpap machines, and will this be a problem during or after surgery either?? Thanks for reading. Dawn

Hi Dawn, we're in the same boat. Hodge sent my paperwork back to me. Because of having high risk sleep apnea, congestive heart failure, he felt I needed to be in a center for high risk patients. They can add oxygen for an extra boost of air on the cpap. That's what they are doing to my machine. They keep pulling the card from my cpap to check my levels, and checked my oxygen level last week. I had to wear one of those things on the finger overnight. I have fluids on my heart and lungs. Dr. Hodge felt that in a nut shell, that he would not be capable to do my surgery. So I am on the look out again. Best of luck to you sweety. Did they tell you what sleep level you have to be on? I'm between 15-20 on my machine. Hopefully, Hodge will still do yours, but I would be on the look out for another Dr. in the mean time. Love ya, Kathy

Sweet Kathy, You're sure are a trooper! With all of the stuff you have been going through it is encouraging to see that you have not given up and you are always one of the first to respond to people's posts with encouragement. God will bless you my dear lady, do not give up hope ever.. because In my humble opinion, if these doctors can do surgery on a person 800lbs and give thier life back to them, it is possible for all of us..we may just have to get treatment for the problems first..small delay but well worth the wait, I think! The machine started out on 9.. did not help at all.. so today, upon my first appt they changed it to 11..also changing the mask, the humidifier to heated, and a different humidifier altogether.. we will jus****ch and see what happens..she said goal is to get me sleeping 7 hrs a night instead of 2 and before my day study the 17th september. love ya, Dawn

Hello Dawn, I don't have any of these heart issues that i am aware of and i am so very sorry that you do.You are such a pretty lady in your picture i just hate to hear that you have this problem.I have always worried that i would have this problem with my heart b/c i have a lot of fluid all the time.I will be thinking of you and hope this does not prevent you from having this surgery.Good thoughts coming your way. Eva

Hiya Dawn! I'm sorry to hear of possible heart problems. You're right about having a cardiac clearance. That is to protect you and would be well worthwhile. I am fortunate not to have heart issues, but I know many here do. Also many of the members here are on cpap machines and oxygen for other reasons. I cant see that interfering with your surgery. I'd wait for the report to be sent to your surgeon and hear what his feelings are on it. He will know if something is dangerous or worth further evaluation. They will do everything to keep you save and healthy. I'll keep you in my prayers sweetie! May God bless you daily! Melanie

Thank You Ladies, ya'll are sooo sweet! I said a few prayers tonight and I am feeling very peaceful now..I trust God 100% to guide the doctors to do what is best and I will respect thier decisions. In the mean time, I decided to work on several areas until my appt date with Dr Hodges. (couldn't hurt ;)) I still have the heart healthy diet I used to have to follow and will do that again for a while, try to force myself to walk EVERYday even if just up and down my 3 front steps and back again until my heart can better handle the activity..thank you again for your responses and I sure wish you all the very best and all the happiness you can stand! I am really beginning to think of you ladies as FAMILY! Lots of hugs, Dawn

Dear Dawn, I have had a history of sleep apnea for about 5 yrs now and my C-PAP machine is set at 13. I too,have an ongoing problem with too much fluid and take diuretics. My surgeon required that I receive a full cardiac work-up and receive a cardiac clearance before he would even consider doing the WLS. I was cleared and my paperwork was submitted to CIGNA on 7/27/04 and I am now just waiting to hear a response. As a nurse, I fully agree when you say that a lot of your health problems will become better or go away once the weight comes off. Hang in there. I believe everything will work out just fine for you. Take Care, Lori

Hi Lori, I was just wondering what all do they do on you when you have to go thru a cardiac clearance?? Just curious. Glad to hear you made it through yours and got clearance for your surgery!! I hope you find out soon about your insurance.. best of luck to you! God Bless, Dawn knoxville

Dawn, I had to have a EKG,stress test and the "dye"scan. I was not able to walk on the treadmill due to having very bad joints and also fibromyalgia. Plus,I am so out of shape,the doctor was afraid to stress me too much without knowing if I had any major heart problems. So,I was given the medication that stresses your heart and they were able to test for problems that way.It was really more aggrevation then anything but I am glad that the surgeon was cautious enough to want it checked out first. I also had a light heart attack in 1995 and was concerned that I wouldn't be cleared. I think you will get through the clearance just fine Dawn. I did call CIGNA today and was told that they have not "logged" my paperwork into the computer yet. So I take that to mean it is probally sitting on a desk somewhere!! Oh,if this doesn't teach us patience nothing will..... Take Care, Lori

Hi sweetie, I had to have heart clearance also. I had the Echo, it's like an ultra sound, can't do the treadmill, and all other times I was laying down for the stress test, but my Dr. had me sitting up in my chair. When they gave me the medication to speed up my heart, now I know what a heart attack would feel like, my chest got so tight and I couldn't breath, they gave me oxygen which helped. I passed the test, but don't ever want to feel that tightness again. Since I have fluids on my heart and left leg is full of fluids, I have clearance but I do have a congestive heart failure. So I may end up with a heart attack unless this weight comes off. I will be having another sleep level test on Monday evening. My Ears, nose, throat Dr. ordered this one as it's at a different place. He want's an accurate reading. The last two done in June weren't accurate, and I will not go back there again. This is my life they are playing around with and when it's not accurate, then I could easily die if the setting is two low. You girl, I worry about. I think you will be ok and will have the surgery. It may not be the Dr. you have, but remember to keep plugging away, get all your letters from different Dr.s, any tests done so the insurance will have everything available for their decision. Best of luck to you always, Love ya Dawn, Kathy