I got my surgery date!!

I have tried 3 times before to get WLS since 2014 with the past 15 years struggling to diet and keep weight off on my own. This is #4 with a surgeon three hours away but I have surgery scheduled for January 10! I am feeling a little scared and excited. This is a long time coming.

I received paper work which explains what I need to do. The usual was checked off, psych evaluation, dietitian, and pre-op tests (ekg, bloodwork and chest x-ray) but also a pulmonologist was checked. Has anyone else needed a pulmonologist clearance before getting surgery? What does that mean, do I need to go see a specialist or can I get this done at my GP?

***EDIT *** Well the second I posted this my doctor emailed me and said the pulmonologist clearance needs to be done by a specialist. My question still stands, anyone else need to do this?

It's pretty common. Many of us were required to do sleep studies for apnea, and spend a certain amount of time of a machine, with a log of the machine's use. Some have to take nicotine tests. There are lots of others. Hoops to jump through, but they all add up to a safer surgery.

I suppose it all depends on the surgeon. Thanks for the information!

The surgeon, and the hospital also has its own rules. They want to make sure you dont spoil their reputation by having a complication.

Before you know it, all this preop stuff will be a distant memory.

My pulmonary doctor wrote an extensive letter to my primary care physician, although it wasn't required.

If you are a former or current smoker, have asthma, COPD or emphysema you should not be surprised by the pulmonary requirement. I have issues but was fine through the surgery and with luck you will be too.

I am going to contact my primary today to see if I can get some kind of direction on what they think I'll need. I don't need a referral for the specialist but I would need referrals for certain tests according my to health insurance.

I have never smoked in my life, not even tried it, no asthma or other respiratory issues. I am okay with being safe than sorry. I was just surprised because throughout all of this process between different states and different surgeons I haven't heard of going to a pulmonologist until this time.

Thanks for the info!