Question:
can someone with a left bundle branch blockage have lap band surgery?
I am age 51 and weight 350. I am so afraid that I will be turned down. — Grandma_of_2 (posted on February 27, 2009)
February 27, 2009
you will probably be required to get cardiac clearance from a
cardiologist.if you havn't had recent testing,they will probably want a
stress test,etc.but if he finds you fit,most bariatric surgeons i believe
will do it,since losing the weight will help your health.what you need to
do is research bariatric doctors in your area and make appointment to talk
with them,on that appointment,based on your health issues,they will tell
you what you need to be cleared for surgery.i hope this helps and good
luck.sincerely,joann
— JOANNFV
February 27, 2009
I'm pretty sure I have that (I'd have to go upstairs and check my records),
but I've also had a stress test and an echo-cardiogram, and I have been
cleared for RNY.
— Erica Alikchihoo
February 27, 2009
Don't be afraid. Of course it depends on the doctors and the insurance,
but sometimes the excess weight is far more dangerous than the medical
condition. I was 58, weighed 332 (only 5'2"), had sleep apnea,
pulmonary edema, congestive heart failure, trouble breathing, I felt my
back would break if I walked from my house to the car and I had a host of
other ailments facing me such as Diabetes. But, my heart was strong and my
primary care physcian (who was not a proponent of Gashtric Bypass) wrote a
letter to the insurance just putting all the facts on the table. I was
approved by Aetna HMO within 3 months. I didn't even have to meet the
exercise requirement. I guess my insurance decided if I didn't shed the
weight, I would either die soon or deal with hugh medical problems &
costs that would far exceed the cost of surgery. Well, I have lost 100
pounds and every single problem I started with is gone - 100%. I still have
a lot to lose and I lose very slowly so it will still take a while, but I
feel great and am far more active since I can move and breathe at the same
time without my back killing me. The back pain is gone also! I will pray
for you and offer one piece of advice. Get a dynamic letter from your
doctor. Too many of them are generic and full of well known facts. It
needs to be personal and specifically about you! My doctor lectured me
about how dangerous my weight was EVERY time I saw him for a period of four
years. I asked him to put in the letter all those things he told me would
happen if I didn't lose the weight and that is exactly what he did. I have
no doubt, the letter was the key to the fast approval. Good Luck!
— BonnieP
February 28, 2009
I am 56 and weigh 460lbs. Co-morbidities include high blood pressure and
sleep apnea. My insurance will not pay for WLS, even though my husband's
employer and doctor both fought for me. The answer I finally got was
"no way in hell". So, I shopped around and found a wonderful,
highly qualified doctor who will do it for me and I am going to have the
VSG in 2 weeks on a cash basis. (One doc wouldn't do it unless I got below
400 lbs.) I closed out my quickly dwindling retirement account to do this.
What good is a retirement account if you aren't going to be around? If you
go the cash route, check the cost of the hospital...I had a choice of two
and one was double the price of the other!
— jtoothman
March 1, 2009
I don't think that this, in and of itself, would exclude you from the
surgery. You will have to get clearance specifically from a cardiologist,
whether it is yours or the one working with the doctor. They may want to
do a cardiac cath to see if there are any more blockages in your heart. I
am guessing that the LBBB was the result of a prior heart attack. Go to
your doctor, express your concerns... ultimately they want you to succeed
and be the healthiest you that you can be... good luck to you. Kari
— Kari_K
Click Here to Return