Question:
Stress Test...Do you

Hoped the pre-opt visit to the cardiologist would go off without a hitch, but then he indicated that the anathiesist (sp) would not put me under at my weight without a echo-stress test. Now my concern is whether you can fail this, or just give the doctors the additional information so as they know the best way to move forward. OBVIOUSLY, I want to wake up from the effort, but I hope that as it gets down to the date, something like this will not become a show stopper for me. I would appreciate your thoughts and experiences... Thanks...Lynn    — Lynn P. (posted on April 21, 2003)

April 21, 2003
I TO WAS WORRIED ABOUT THE STRESS TEST AND NOW I GOT THE RESULTS BACK AND ITS NOT ALL GOOD. I HAVE TO GO GET A CARDIAC CATH ON 4/28 THEY SEEM TO THINK I HAVE BLOCKAGE OR ITS JUST THAT MY BOOBS ARE TOO BIG AND CLOUDED THE GRAPHS. HOPEFULLY ITS MY BOOBS. MY SURGERY IS 5/29 AND THEY WILL NOT DO SURGERY UNLESS I HAVE THIS TEST. AND IF THERE IS A PROBLEM THEY WILL FIX IT RIGHT THEN AND THERE AND I COULD STILL HAVE MY SURGERY. LOOK AT IT THIS WAY. IF THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG THEY COULD CATCH IT BEFORE IT IS TO LATE. BEST OF LUCK TO YOU.
   — Maureen A.

April 21, 2003
Lynn, According to your profile you have a BMI of 61.7. So in my opinion the anesthesiologist is a wimp! I was a 63.8 BMI and they had no problems. Granted I am assuming you do not have some other major cardiac issues etc. There is nothing wrong with having a stress echo but to say they won't do surgery without, because of BMI, is not the norm. My surgeon typically does all the WLS's without any stress tests unless someone has a serious problem they already know about and it needs to be checked. <p>However, my internist was on the cautious side. I complained of heaviness on the chest about 5 weeks before surgery. So he did the standard tests. However, in the meantime waiting for my Cardiolite Stress Test (different than and echo stress test I believe) we found out I had asthma, which would really explain the symptoms, plus the fact that I had myself totally stressed out trying to get my insurance approval. However, he still wanted the stress test which turned out normal. Like the other poster said it is best to know everything ahead of time. The problem I have for them requiring it is the BMI reason. A 61.7 is far from the highest nowadays. I hope everything comes out fine. Chris
   — zoedogcbr

April 21, 2003
Knowledge is a good thing...right? But when you get this close, you hate to have something pop up to change things. I called the doc's office, and they indicated that unless there is a major problem -which there does not seem to be in my case- I should look at this as a way of providing additional info to the doctor and anatheisist (sp-I need to look this one up..) in order for them to provide better care. She was very confidant that we are still going forward. So close... Thanks for your thoughts.
   — Lynn P.

April 21, 2003
I had to have an echo, EKG, treadmill stress test, heart scan AND a heart cath. Most of this is routine procedure to know if your heart is fit for the surgery. My heart cath was because of something they saw on the heart scan that could have been a blockage. Thank God it was only soft tissue overlay and I'm still all set for May 13th. Put your mind at ease...it will all be ok.
   — Happy I.