High risk!

Hi, My surgery is scheduled for April 28th… yikes! I am nervous… as we all are, or have been. A lot of my nervousness comes from

being a high risk patient…I have A-fib, heart failure issues, enlarged heart,(hereditary) I have had 2 TIAS and c-diff that has

been dealt with.I also take pradxa a blood thinner that requires drinking a glass of water with each dosage and I take 2 times daily. I have sleep apnea which is common when one is obese. The doctors have cleared me after one year of questions and tests.

I am just wondering if anyone here has a similar medical profile like me. Let me know I would greatly appreciate it.

I don't or didn't have your profile but it makes sense that WLS will help. Good luck to you! 

--gina

Thanks Gina, I sure hope so. I am 58,w 206 h 5 2. Have you already had the surgery? I am having

mine done April 28 at the Toronto western hospital. My surgeon is Dr Okrainek.  I was told he was very good.

My surgery was back in 2007. Which WLS are you having? 

--g

Hi, MajorMom I am having the sleeve. It seems to be the suggested way to go with lower bmi

and also with higher risk patients.

That's probably a good choice.  You won't have to worry so much about taking mega doses of vitamins--still need to do your labs and such, but not usually a huge issue as with those of us who've had RNY or DS. 

I don't have the heart issues, but they are all common in people with obesity -- as long as your surgeon is experienced, I'm sure (s)he has dealt with patients with those issues before.

I do have sleep apnea, and you're right, it's extremely common in the obese. 70% of people with BMIs over 40 have it, and many of them unfortunately go undiagnosed before surgery because it's still so under-recognized among the medical community. Just make sure you bring your CPAP with you to surgery, and if you haven't had your card downloaded recently, I recommend getting it downloaded soon so you can make sure your sleep apnea is well-treated at your current settings.

Good luck!

Hi 4Furkids Thanks for replying This is my first forum.

,I do have a good surgeon. My BMI is 37. What happens if the cpap thing is not in order? The reason I am asking is often I dont use the cpap every night. Is that

a really bad thing? Thanks…

From a logistical standpoint, it probably won't delay your surgery, but from the perspective of your health, it's absolutely a bad thing. Untreated sleep apnea causes your oxygen levels to drop repeatedly and leads to bursts of adrenaline all night (to wake you up to start breathing again) which spike your heart rate and blood pressure over and over and greatly increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke. That likelihood is only more increased in someone who already has heart issues, and surgery is just another stressor on the body.

I don't know if it's a lack of education on the part of doctors or what, but I've never been able to understand why so many people can have a life-threatening disease like sleep apnea and think treatment is optional. It's the equivalent of not taking your heart meds every day, or a diabetic deciding that some days they just won't use their insulin.

Did not have your issues, but seems like you are well prepared and looked after. Being nervous is understandable. 

Losing weight will sure do wonders for your heart, good luck!