Question:
HELP!!! My Doctors office just called me, escemia?

they said my ekg showed escemia (sp?) and they could not operate without a cardioligst saying it was ok. NOw I am really upset, I have had heart problems for quite awhile and made my surgeon aware of this LONG before this point. Has anyone else had this problem? Can you offer any suppoert? I am worried they will cancle my surgery!!!!!    — christieanthum (posted on August 6, 2003)

August 6, 2003
Christie, it probably isn't as bad as it sounds. Ischemia means there are some areas of the heart muscle that aren't getting enough blood supply, to the point it is showing a problem with the elecrical conduction in your heart. Make an appointment with your cardiologist and let them know you need cardiac clearance for surgery. My husband had surgery to correct a congenital heart problem when he was 17 (he had lap RNY at age 45) but he had to go through cardiac clearance before he had surgery, The cardilolgist will determine what tests you need to have done. This is being prudent on your bariatric surgeon's part and not unusual, especially if you have heart problems to begin with.
   — koogy

August 6, 2003
Well, what does the cardiologist say? Will he/she give you the clearance? Take a deep breath and make the call and see what they have to say. Good Luck and keep us updated.
   — Carol S.

August 6, 2003
Christie, It is probably just one more hoop you have to jump through. 5 days before my scheduled surgery, they didn't like the looks of my kidney sonogram and I had to get a CT Scan. Turned out to be old scar tissue from an earlier removed birth defect. DON'T LOSE HOPE-JUST KEEP JUMPING THROUGH THOSE HOOPS, God knows, I had like 20 to jump through before last Monday! IT WILL END AND BEFORE LONG, YOU'LL BE ON THE "LOSING SIDE"!
   — teresaxxxx

August 6, 2003
I had CHF which required me to have a cardiac clearance. I believe that is all the surgeon is asking for from you. It should not be anything complicated. I simply went to a cardiologist. She checked me over and discussed my past and present problems with me. I was given my clearance that day. She wrote up the report and sent it to my surgeon. Everything went forward as scheduled. Try to relax. I know a "wrench" has been thrown at you, but I really do think it will be ok.
   — amytravis

August 6, 2003
Ischemia means dead tissue - lack of blood. As you already have a cardiac history, it's not too surprising that they found this, and it makes very much sense for them to demand a cardiac clearance. They want to be sure that you're OK for the surgery! I had to get more than the basic cardiac clearance too because of previous use of Phen-fen and Redux; they found a small murmur but nothing else to be concerned with, and cleared me. The cardiologist told me that this was basically for the anesthesiologist so that they knew exactly what was going on with my heart before they put me under, so they would know what to expect and how to handle any problems. Personally, I would rather be safe than sorry, and it all worked out for me - I'm six months post op as of yesterday!
   — johanniter

August 6, 2003
I had 2 mild heart attacks prior to surgery, so I talked WLS over with my cardiologist while I was doing the research and making my decision. My cardiologist was all for it, and said from the results of the stress test I had a couple months prior, that he would give me clearance. When I saw my surgeon, he wanted cardiac clearance done by a cardiologist at HIS medical center. So, I had another stress test, which showed exactly what my previous one had shown, and I was cleared for surgery! Your surgeon is just looking out for your best interest--be happy that he's that kind of surgeon! Best wishes to you.
   — Linda S.