Question:
Pre-Op and having Chest Pains what should I do?

I am less than an month away from my date and I am working hard to meet all of my deadlines at work before the surgery. Lately, my chest has been hurting (not a lot just a little constant pinch). I don't have high blood pressure and have never had any heart problems. Should I tell my doctor, if I do I am sure she will call off the surgery or should I lower my stress level and see if it goes away. Scared of losing the surgery and scared of croaking on the table. If I postpone this surgery my contract will run out and I won't have a job or insurance to pay. But if I do it....???? Please tell me its last minute jitters.    — Ron T. (posted on May 29, 2003)

May 29, 2003
Ron- I'm sure you are just fine, but you should call your PCP ASAP! It will ease your mind to get it checked out. You are obviously under a lot of stress and worrying about the surgery and getting everything done. A few years ago, I went thru a very bad time with my son (I had to explain to him why he felt "different", as he has mild autism), and I had bad chest pains and pressure. I was sure I was having mild heart attacks. My PCP did the EKG (? the wires that they attach all over your body?) right there in his office and found I was fine. He then closed the door and I bawled to him for 20 minutes about my problems. Sometimes we have to literally get it off our chest :o) Good Luck! Mea
   — Mea A.

May 29, 2003
Do you have sleep apnea? I was having chest pains for months and was in and out of the emergency room for them. After all the tests and finding nothing wrong I was still having them. I went to the emergency room in November and the doctor that saw me said that I had the classic symptoms for sleep apnea. I went in for a sleep study and I had it. I have been on my cpap since January and no more chest pain. Call your PCP, I'm sure you would rather wait and be safe then risk it and not. JMHO Good Luck
   — Nancy S.

May 29, 2003
Ron...A little less then a month ago I had to go to my PCP to have a PFT done, something my surgeon required before she would submit a request for surgery to my insurance. My PCP was great. I told him I had been having chest pains every day. They would come and go. They felt like sharp pains that moved from my left breast area to the center of my chest. He said it could be any number of things. But he was going to take things one step at a time. He gave me some samples of Nexium because he believed it was a case of acid reflux. I was on it for less then a week and all of my chest pains had stopped. Could your chest pains be caused by acid reflux? Just an idea. Best of luck!
   — Maria S

May 29, 2003
Another possible cause for chest pains. It could be your gall bladder. I was in the ER for chest pains that seemed to be more on my right side than my left. It turned out to be my gall bladder. Those of us who've tried over and over to lose weight tend to develop gall bladder problems, as you probably know. Bottom line, get this checked out.
   — Chyrl W.

May 30, 2003
I remember a time in my life I had chest pain all the time and it was from ANXIETY. I pray to God that is what yours is from... but I would tell my doctor EVERYTHING if I were you! Don't play with your life just because you know you need surgery.
   — Eleanore Davis

May 30, 2003
Ron, it is most likely stress, but one can never be too sure. They wouldn't call off your surgery unless they find something wrong I'm sure, so it wouldn't hurt to tell your doc. YOu can just to go your PCP and get some tests, and then if there's something wrong, he'll alert your surgeon. If you can take away stres-realted things in your life, that might help. As we speak I'm having chest pains like that, but I know it's anxiety from something in my life. Take up some yoga or take a bath with candles and just let yourself relax. Hope you feel better!
   — Lezlie Y.

May 30, 2003
Get this checked out ASAP. Ignoring this could result in your death during surgery if you have a actual problem. Not to alarm you but wanting everyoine to have WLS safely. Please call your PCP NOW!
   — bob-haller