Cardio/pulmonary clearance

I've asked this before but it was late at night and I didn't quite get the replies I was hoping for. Anyways, my insurance requires that I get a statement from my doctor saying that my heart and lungs are healthy enough for surgery.  My question is, what tests need to be preformed in order to do that?  Do I need to visit a cardiologist and pulmonologist, or is this something my PCP can do? Do i need to do an EKG?  A stress test?  I'm confused, thanks! I tried calling my insurance already to ask, but they decided to give me the runaround today

HI KAYLA-- EVERY ONE IS DIFFERENT.  YOUR SURG. MAY BE THE ONE TO CHECK WITH. I HAD A STRESS TEST, EKG, EEG, SLEEP STUDY AND PULMONARY FUNCTIONS TEST. EVERYTHING TOOK ABOUT 3 WEEKS TO DO. TO GET THE REFERRALS/SCRIPTS, ETC., CALL YOUR SURG, AND/OR YOUR PCP. GOOD LUCK. LORA 

Before my RnY I needed clearance also from the cardiologist and pulmonologist.  My PCP referred me to both and I had to see them and yes get tested and then the results sent to the surgeon. Ask your PCP for a referral to each one and see what yours requires.

Your surgery is a pretty major surgery and since your bmi is over 50 they need to be especially careful. They don't want to get you under anesthia and then find you have a problem. They aren't bad tests. If you do have some problem, It won't necessarily mean you can't have surgery. They will just have to take the necessary precautions.  My DH has bad sleep apnea and it is hard to get him to breath on his own after surgery. He has to go on CPAP or BiPAP 24/7 for the first few days.  I have had all of the tests at one time or another except the sleep study. I have very poor lung function from asthma and pneumonia, but that doesn't stop surgery. They just have to make me breath deep after and have breathing treatments. Diana

Each surgeon has it's own standards when it comes to this.  Mine just wanted a EKG, a 48 hour holter monitor,  and cardiac clearance from my cardiologist.  Even with me having heart disease, I was still cleared for surgery. hope this helps.

My surgeon did the consul forms for my cardiologist.  They did a stress test, EKG, and several scans.  All the tests were performed in one day and I went back the next week for the results.  Each surgeon is different so you need to get that part clarified.

My doctor required: cardiac clearance by either PCP or Cardiologist pulmonary evaluation if BMI >60 I had to have the following test: chest x-ray EKG Cardiac Stress Test (done by PCP or Cardiologist) Along with any other test deemed necessary for clearance. My cardiologist did an EKG and echo on me. I couldn't get the stress test done, even tried to have the nuclear stress test done, but could not find a doctor that had a table that could support me.  My surgeon said since we couldn't find a doctor, it would be ok not to have the stress test which is why the cardiologist did the echo, to make sure.  The pulmonary doctor did a chest x-ray,  sleep study, PFT, Artial Blood Gas. So besides what your insurance is requiring, your surgeon may have his own requirements too.  It would be best to ask your surgeon what is needed.