Pulomanary and cardiologist

Dr. Shina's office called today and they are preparing to make my pulomanary and cardiologist appt. Anybody want to tell me what to expect? I go thursday for psych and nutri appt. Let me know. Thanks Cindy

Pysc and Nutr are no brainers. Nothing to worry about. Pulm for me was a pft test which I had to blow into a machine (still nothing major), cardio was a stress test for me but for others it has just been a physical. Good luck with your pre op testing!

I didn't have to do a pulmonary test for WLS, but ironically enough, I did one before surgery. I just sat on this chair with a breathing apparatus attached to a mouth piece placed in my mouth. The young lady had me take several breaths, hold, then breathe as hard I as I could into the mouth piece. It took a total of 5 minutes. Now the cardiologist was another story. I wasn't too impressed with him, because I think he took relish in scaring me and hubby about being fat and he didn't think his equipment would work at seeing our heart. In essence he would have to do a heart cath on us to give our surgeon a go or a no-go for the surgery. I've journaled the story in my profile if you'd like to take a peek at it. He was a dud, but it was at my insistence I see him, because Karen had told me their normal cardiologist had to take a 2 week family leave and that meant my cardio appointment was going to be held over for another 3 weeks. I was wanting a Sept. date, not a Christmas date, so that was a no deal for me. So instead of listening to Karen, I did what I wanted and got a jackass in the process. Basically, I had to do a stress test. For me, I had to be injected with this chemical that sped up my heart. They kept my heart rate elevated for several minutes, in phases--meaning they elevate it up in stages--while the tech took pictures of my heart. They had some pretty nice equipment; I believe the ECG machine was one of those 3D latest technology ones. And yes, it took pictures of my heart just fine! (jackass!) Now for my husband, they didn't inject him with the medicine. He was made to walk on a treadmill as they gradually increased the speed and incline. His heart was read rather well on the ECG machine too. The psych and nutritional meeting will be a breeze; it was for us. Good luck- Dee

If you are going to Norton's, I went there also and it is a cake walk. Dr Shina is my doctor also. I am having my lap band surgery on 5/24/07. Next week I go for my pre admit and then next month I have appointments to see the Pulmonologist, Cardiologist and Vascular Surgeon. I will let you know how they all go once they happen. Sandy

Hi Cynthia, I am one of Dr. Shina's patients. Currently, I am 12 days post op from Lap RNY. The pulmonary visit was routine: PFT, chest x-ray and exam. Based on my medical history the cardiologist referred me for an EKG, Echocardiogram, and PET stress to assure my arteries were clear. I completed the pulmonary, cardiology, and vascuar workup's within 3 weeks. Good luck with your workup. Deb