Question:
has anyone had surgery with cardiomyopathy?
i have chf w/ an ejection fraction of 20-22%. is there anyone out there who had surgery after being refered to a bariatric surgeon by your cardiologist? ineed information. i have a consultation on 7/30/03. can anyone help me? — Crystal P. (posted on July 14, 2003)
July 14, 2003
I am pre-op, but I have my surgery in 22 days, on August 6th. I have
cardiomyopathy with a fraction of 40%, due to a blood clot on the lower
left venticle of my heart, my cardiologist did give me clearance for the
surgery, he feels that the stress off my heart is a big benefit. My surgeon
agreed to do my WLS, but I am considered a high risk patient. I am very
lucky, my surgeon use to be a heart surgeon, before he changed fields, so I
feel very comfortable with his skills. Hope this helps, if you would like
to know more about my risks, please read my profile.
— cindy
July 15, 2003
I am pre-op with cardiomopathy, Left Ventricular Hypertrophy and Idiopathic
Hypertrophic Sub-Aortic Stenosis, CHF, etc., etc., etc. I have a great
cardiologist and she sent me to a wonderful interventionalist who did a
right and left sided heart cath - they were more interested if there were
any artierial blockages. They also sent me for an EP study -
electrophysical - they run an electical current through your heart to see
if they can stress it to the point of getting an irregular rhythm. This is
extremely important since after the surgery you lose lots of weight and
fluids so fast you can upset your eletrolytes and send your heart into a
fatal rhythm. All 3 cardiologists were top notch and very excited that I
was having the surgery felt it would greatly improve my EF and all other
conditions. Don't let them do a stress test and base theri decision on it
as the stress test, even a dobutamine one, is innappropriate for large
people and women due to breast tissue - it interferes with getting a good
image of the heart. The heart cath and EP study are best way of knowing if
your heart can withstand surgery. They also checked out my lung/pressures
during it to see if anesthisia would be problematic. They were not
concerned with EF, said more important to check out "plumbing"
(heart cath) and "wiring" (EP Study). Good luck!
— Deborah F.
July 17, 2003
Hi Crystal, I have an ejection fraction of 30%. My PCP and cardiologist
both wrote letters recommending me for surgery but both surgeons I have met
with require me to lose 50 pounds FIRST to make the surgery safer. The
cardiologist and PCP feels it is MORE dangerous to wait than to have the
surgery. Best of luck to you; taking the weight off quickly is the best
way to relieve the stress on your heart.
— duane B.
July 17, 2003
Hi Crystal-I have cardiomyopathy and CHF with ejection fraction of 37%. My
cardiologist recommended this surgery to me as he said I wouldn't make it 5
more years if I didnt do SOMETHING. I also have diabetes, sleep apnea,
neuropathy, peripheral edema, GERd and a few more things that I can't think
of offhand. I am scheduled for surgery on this Tuesday July 22, 2003. I
have to go tomorrow for an EGD as my throat is like closed up but anyways I
have been cleared by three different cardiologists who consider me to be a
moderate risk. I have my fingers crossed that they are right. The pulmonary
doctor is more scared of my sleep apnea and my high chance of clots but
even he says my quality of life is so poor that this is essential for me to
take this risk. So I am excited yet apprehensive and nervous. I really
believe that this is the best thing that I can do for myself. I hope the
decision that you make is right for you. best of luck.
— Patti D.
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