Question:
Anyone have cardiac issues before being cleared for lap rny?
I'm having a set back....I had my stress test yesterday and they found a possible blockage in one of my arteries to my heart! YUK So immediately I told them I would take the first appt. avail. so I get an angiogram next Thursday. Anyone else have a similar issue happen before getting clearance for gastric bypass? If so how long after the angiogram did you have to wait to have the bypass? I realize the angiogram is an out patient procedure as long as they don't find anything major. Thanks for the support and response. I am a little more than scared right now. Not about the bypass but the angiogram. Thanks.....Donna — gonnabethinfinally (posted on February 20, 2009)
February 20, 2009
Just be glad they found the problem without you having a heart attack. Once
they get it all fixed it may take a while before they clear you for
surgery. They will want to put you on blood thinners and you can't take
them with the surgery. Keep me posted. I hope it all goes well..
— trible
February 20, 2009
Donna, are you generally healthy? Have u had any heart issues before? The
reason I ask is because I had heart issues with an idiotic cardiologist who
wanted to give me a catherization. Something inside me told me that this
was not kosher. I went to another cardiologist, he sent me for a CTA which
is less riskier & it came back normal so I was able to get clearance.
Turns out the pain in my chest was caused by heartburn from the wrong foods
I was eating. Make sure that this cardiologist knows what's he talking
about or maybe get a second opinion. My experience with Dr. Uppal in
Hazlet, NJ was awful. He was very quick to tell me that I had an abnormal
nuclear stress test & that he had to put me on heart pills. I sort
second advice & it turns out he was wrong. Go with your gut &
follow your heart.
— Ruth M.
February 20, 2009
Hi Donna. Based on my own experience, having an abnormal stress test
doesn't necessarily mean that you have arterial blockage. An angiogram is
the next logical step in determining what the problem might be. In my case,
I had an abnormal stress test, a normal angio and then I was cleared for
bariatric surgery (I'll be having Lap Band).
— Meadow
February 20, 2009
I had to get clearance from my personal physician for the lapband
procedure and was I ever pissed off when she said I had to have ekg,which
was abnormal which then led to a heart catherization in Dec.2008. I have a
date now for March 23. It's better to be sure before you undergo any
procedure. I was very afraid, felt nothing doing the procedure and feel
alot better emotionally after having the heart catheriztion done. Now it's
just the waiting game.-Mahoganyone
— Mahoganyone
February 20, 2009
I too failed my stress test in my heart clearance procedure. I was
immediately scheduled for an angiogram. The doc wanted to do a stint and
if I had had to have that done it would have delayed my WLS for a year. We
talked and he said I could wait until after that surgery and then be
checked again. He gave me the clearance, however, my WLS surgeon made me
get a second opinion with another heart doc. That doc also gave me
clearance to proceed with the WLS. I had my surgery (Lap RNY) on March
30, 2008. I have seen my heart doctor twice since then and he is still
just watching this. He said the blockage is in the bottom of my heart
which isn't such an issue as if it were in the top portion of my heart.
Since my WLS I no longer take high blood pressure medicine and my total
cholesterol is at a wonderful 143. All of that being said, this may not
delay you at all depending on where your blockage is. Good luck and I wish
the best for you.
— ShirleyF
February 20, 2009
Hi Donna, I am 43 years old and I had Lap RNY on 2/21/08 (happy 1 year
anniversary to me, lol). Prior to having my surgery i too was told I had
an abnormal stress test. I underwent the cardiac catheterization and was
found to have blockages. I was sent to 3 cardiologists and a
cardiothoracic surgeon to prepare for open heart surgery instead of WLS.
The cardiothoracic surgeon did agree with the cardiologists that I have
some blockages but they weren't severe enough for me to need the heart
surgery. He felt that with me losing the weight and maintaining a proper
diet, I should be okay and I would be okay to proceed with the WLS. The
only thing that changed for me was that I was originally supposed to have
the WLS at a Bariatric Center and the my heart team decided that I should
have it in a full service hospital setting so that if I did need any
cardiac care, there would be a team available to provide that treatment.
So, instead of having my WLS surgery at the Barix Clinic in Langhorne, I
had it at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP). I had a
great group of folks taking care of me and I didn't have any cardiac
episodes at all. As I said earlier, I am a year out. At my highest weight
I was 374 and today I am at 228 and counting down. Keep thinking positive
thoughts and trust in your medical team. The whole thing didn't delay my
surgery by much (a month or so). I'm sure things will work out for you and
I wish you the best! Feel free to contact me if you like
([email protected]). Marion
— dsmuffin
February 20, 2009
I talked to the cardiologist yesterday and he said it looked like one
blockage and he was hopeful he could do the balloon procedure but if it
required a stint one of his colleagues would have to do it as he only does
the balloon. I just don't want this to delay my lap rny but my heart is
the most important thing right now. Thanks to all for your responses and
your info. Please keep me in your prayers. Hugs....Donna
— gonnabethinfinally
February 22, 2009
Maybe I am an idiot but I not think that I ever had to have a stress test.
I only saw a nutritionist and a physcologist. Good luck!!
— tiffaney2183
February 22, 2009
I had a minor heart attack in 2004 and did an angioplasty inserting 2
stents. In 2006 I had to have another stent implanted and I have been fine
since. I did have my lap band surgery in July of 2008 and have lost 64lbs
since then. Good luck and everything will be fine. Continue with all the
necessary tests and have faith in your doctors.
— gdisimone1007
Click Here to Return