I NEED SUPPORT PLEASE

Hi all: Hate to start of with an "all about me" post, but I need feedback badly. Yesterday, I started the day w/gall bladder sonogram, upper gi, and they went well. Next appt was w/lung Dr., he on the other hand has now scared me to death. Because I smoke, have HBP, diabetes, he is certain I have cardiovascular disease. He checked my lungs; they are fine, checked my oxygen levels, perfect. Asked me tons of questions regarding chest pains, etc. All my answers to those questions were no, no, no. Now he has demanded that I have a cardiac clearance done before surgery. He also said I could die any second of a heart attack, because of all my risk factors. I then went to see surgeon, he helped some by saying that it is just a precaution and that if anything were wrong they could treat it before surgery. Nevertheless, I now feel like my life may be over, right before I got a new start. This is the most I have ever weighed, I can hardly move sometimes and I was so looking forward to another chance at like. Please, if anyone can give me some words of wisdom, or if you had to have these tests, please let me know. I think they will lay me down and inject something to get my heart moving. This alone is freaking me out. I am a big sissy for anything medical. Thanks in advance Scared in Jacksonville Nancy

Nancy I just had the tests done. They are not so bad. It is better to be safe than sorry. The stress test gave me a headache, and could make you dizzy. But it only lasts for a short time. I also had to wear a heart monitor for 24 hours. You just wear it, and take it home, record anything unusual, and take it back the next day. Nothing to be fearfull of. Good luck to you. Keep us informed how it turns out. Vickie

Hey there ... it is ok .I am 25 , pretty health considering my weight and I had these test as well - the one your taling about ( I think) is where the put a little dye in and then they have you walk on a treadmill then tey stop and do like an exray or something to show how the dye is movinh through your heart ... no big deal and then teh will do like an ekg which is just elctrodes for like a minute while you are laying down and maybe they might do a sonogram like test only on your chest to see your heart in action ..... that is about it for the cardiac clearence that I know about and had......just take it easy and if you do have any problems let them know so that they can treat it -- that way they are not bigger problems later when you are trying to heal ... Good luck , Misty

I am here to support you. I have not had this procedure done, but my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Nancy, I went thru the same thing prior to my surgery. I had to have a stress test to be cleared for surgery (I actually had to go thru the process twice because their computer systems screwed up and they couldnt retrieve my first set of reports), the stress test came back with some results that the cardiologist didn't like. She was a wench, totally did not support my idea of WLS and was a pushing Weigh****chers on me ( like I havent already joined and quit about 10 times in my adult lifetime) but everyone is entitled to their own opinion, even if it is a health procedure. Anyway, I had to have a heart cath procedure to determine if I really had any blockages. This was the one of the biggest reality checks for me at 40 y/o that I had ever had. Since I was so big, they had to do it at the hospital and I was petrified, my Mom and Sister were there the whole time. But luckily, it actually turned out that my stress test reports were reflecting a false positive and I didn't have to have angioplasty or anything else. I was cleared for my surgery after this little detour~yippee. I remember posting on the FL board how scared and frustrated I was because going through all that was going to delay my surgery or possibily prevent me from having it at all. I recall how many folks from the board reminded me that I needed to be as healthy as possible prior to surgery so that I would a) make it thru surgery without complications in surgery and b) recover fully and quickly. Now I knew going into my surgery that I had a healthy heart and lungs in spite of my comorbidities. So having said all that, I agree that you need to go thru whatever tests are necessary so you go into your surgery fully prepared to start your journey with as healthy a body as possible. It IS so frustrating and discouraging when the doctors want more and more tests, but it truly is to your benefit once you are approved and on the other side. Hang in there, be patient and keep a positive spirit, that will help carry you through these tests and the delays. Take care, Amy -180lb.