No tests required?

I have been reading this site for months and all of the tests each person has to go through to have this surgery. Well I just got my approval and I have not had any test, other than some blood work. I thought maybe once I got my insurance approval that the test would begin (like a sleep study, EKG, etc...) but that is not the case. Now the Dr just wants to schedule surgery for a month to 6 weeks from now. The insurance person I spoke to said they do not require a sleep study unless it is warranted and if the person does not sleep well and snores. Well no one ever asked me if I sleep well or if I snore. I am curious about the amount of testing people are having to have before this surgery. Thank you

My insurance didnt require any testing it was my surgeon that did. She belongs to a hospital that is a 'CENTER OF EXCELLENCE". Everyone goes thru a similar battery of tests one morning and then a day of education... we were taught about what we should expect post op ... What our diet would be. What vitamins we would be required to take. All the testing I did is spelled out on my profile if u care to read it. Any questions please feel free to ask Mariah

HI! Just wanted to share my experience so far. I am scheduled for RNY on the 12th. My surgeon belongs to a hospital that is a "Center of Excellence". They had many tests that were required by them. I am very glad that my surgeon took so much time to make sure things were okay with me before allowing me to have surgery. It took a lot of time and effort on my part, but it was well worth it. I found out that I had sleep apnea from my sleep study. I wouldn't want to have this surgery without all of the tests that I had to go through... Thanks for letting me share. Sherry

You are so lucky. I have had my heart tested completely, 20 tubes of blood draw, xrays, Upper GI pending, Ultrasound of Gallbladder pending, so much more. I think I have had more testing that ever in my life for anything. I quess it is one way to be sure there is nothing wrong before surgery. But I am so tired of testing.

I should add I would rather know if there is going to be a problem with me before hand than after the fact. The testing was from 3 different doctors due to hospital issues the other others had. At least I know I am healthy beyond my current list of problems.

I didn't have any test...sleep study, endoscopy, or ultra sound of the abdomen. My pre-op testing was done three weeks prior to surgery and that included blood work, EKG and chest X-ray...the usual pre-op surgery items. Hugs, Traci

I'm scheduled for surgery on the 6th, and before my surgeon would even see me I had to have: Chest X-ray EKG Blood work Urinalysis Psych evaluation Nutritionist evaluation Full physical with my PCP and a letter of medical clearance Had to attend a support group meeting Had to attend a group consultation

Please get some pre-operative testing. Ask your primary surgeon to do it. This is what most surgeons require. 1. An EKG - to evaluate whether our hearts are in working order 2. Pulmonary testing-not just for sleep apnea , but a pulmonary function test to make sure that there are no respiratory problems that may interfere with anesthesia. 3. Blood Screening - To make sure that you have no anemias, diabetes or blood borne viruses you aren't aware that you have. 4. Some docs require that you see a gynecologist if you are a female, so that when they open you up they find no surprises, like fibroids or other conditions that may require treatment. 5. If you have any other medical conditions that you are receiving treatment for, you should get cleared by that specialist. I have inflammatory arthritis so I saw my Rheumatologist and got a clearance. A friend of mine takes medicine for bipolar disorder so she needed a clearance from a psychiatrist I think it cannot be stressed enough that WLS is a radical procedure that should not be entered into without proper medical clearances. We all need to be pro-active with our healthcare, and even if you surgeon or insurance company does not require what may seem like endless or useless testing, you should have some. It is best to have surgery when we are at our optimal or best health level possible...Get some other opinions about your health before you have major surgery...You will be glad you did. A six week approval period doesn't give you much time to prepare mentally either. If you are going to schedule for that soon, My advice to you is to also attend some support groups or atleast keep asking questions on these boards. Its important to have a support system in place for after the surgery. Good Luck, and please take good care of yourself.... Kelly

Like many others, it was my doctors that required all the testing, esp. my PCP who wouldn't sign off for the surgery until I had every possible part of my body scanned, scoped and tested! I had a bronchioscope done by my pulmonologist (I'm asthmatic); I had a mammogram, PAP smear and a pelvic ultrasound done by my gyn; I had an EKG, a dobutamine stress test and a Coronary CT Angiography done by my cardiologist. Plus the usual blood work, chest x-ray, psych eval and basic check-up. I went into surgery knowing that I was as healthy as possible (given my weight related health issues) and the only thing my body had to do was recover from the procedure. Jane