Capri81

Just trying to see if anyone had surgery as a cardiac patient. I’m a fairly young patient with some congenital defects (corrected PFO) and a pacemaker for almost 5 years due to sick sinus. My cardiologist is actually who talked to me and referred me to my surgeon. I know I will always be on some level of cardiac meds. Just trying to see what after looks like for these patients? Research that I’ve seen shows some great results!

Just got scheduled for January 3 surgery. Anyone else in January? Seems like a bunch in the next few months. I still have surgeon’s practice nutrition classes to complete.

Jeannie- I went in for my normal Pacer check and am being referred to a specialist EP as my rate is going up to 200+ multiple times a day. Which is rough. I’m on 3 meds already and my BP will tank some days. It actually scares me for post op.

Arizona is on a long wait for pulmonary appointments. Post COVID issues and just not a lot of them makes scheduling difficult. I work oncology and even ASAP appointments take up to a month (shorter sometimes if our drs call the pulmonary). You can always see if they have a cancel list (usually means get told less than 24 hours if someone doesn’t confirm/cancels).

As a former pre-op nurse this is what I would do (I’ve also had my period during a cardiac procedure): don’t use tampons, cup etc day of surgery, when you get into the pre-op area let the nurse getting you ready know you have your period. They can pad your bed and provide with pad/disposable panties. With surgery they want to know things like this as it is something to watch for in case they need to do a catheter or any other care. You want to let them know it’s not new bleeding. Keep in mind it might embarrass you but it happens often.

Have you tried things like ginger hard candies (might find them in natural food stores or in the baby section), ginger tea or peppermint tea? Sometimes peppermint essential oil just smelling also helps.

Good morning, I’m so frustrated. I have 2 visits left for my 6 months of Dr advised weightloss. I’m actually up in weight. I’ve tried everything: increased exercise, more produce, no soda, no added sugar, increasing fiber, only eating white meats (chicken,turkey,fish), doing 2 shakes a day and 1 meal, meditation, and getting COVID. I lost 5 pounds then even with following everything my weight went right back up. I’m beyond frustrated and worried I’m going to not qualify. I see the surgeon in a few weeks for an appointment after the EGD. Anyone else have this happen?

I’ve had good luck with topical meds. Things like topical lidocaine, icy hot, topical CBD in balm or bath salts. I’ve been trying to cut my reliance and intake of oral NSAIDs. There are muscle patches like tiger balm can also help. Also there are some studies that indicate things like magnesium help (discuss with your Dr).

I’m hoping .🤞 Surgeons office said it’s generally 3 months after everything is submitted and I should have mine all done in October.

Yeah, I have food allergies so I use hardly any condiments. No gluten. No tomatoes. (The 2 take out most condiments). I can handle minimal dairy. Whey protein I’m ok with but cheese I have to be careful (think 2 of the baby bell cheeses a day). About the only condiment I’m ok with is vinegars. Oil I only use the spray (per the nutritionist) to decrease intake and focus on fats from avocado, nuts, seeds and hummus. I see the surgeon in the next 2 weeks so I’ll see what he says. I do know the NP said everything is really going to be based on my other health conditions as my cardiologist wants me to have surgery (I have some congenital heart defects). The surgeon had mentioned he’s been discussing me with my cardiologist. So maybe I’m just stressing myself out (not the craziest). I know my advocate said on our last call everything was looking good.

Yes, maybe that’s it. I’m doing all this and it feels like everyone is telling me either stuff I’m already doing or to just develop an eating disorder. Most of family is very unsupportive. And I’m having issues with it. I’m just thinking not losing might affect me getting approved for surgery.

My program didn’t give me anything about the weightloss. I’ll be honest I think the most frustrating part is that I keep getting counseled to quit eating/drinking things I haven’t had for months. My mom and sister keep telling me to just quit eating. Or quit eating for a few days each week. Could be my period sure. And yea I’m weighing and measuring everything. And my nutritionist is checking it. I’m just frustrated.

Yea on all of it. See a nutritionist for food due to food allergies. Track all my intake (food,water,meds). The last appointments are all I need. I’m just upset I think. Every monthly appointment they say increase activity, no soda, no added sugar, no chips and no fast food. Probably the most frustrating part is that. I’m not drinking. Eating Whole Foods. Not doing snacking unless it’s veggies. Started a fiber supplement my PCP said would help with fullness. I bought a treadmill to make it easier to walk. Am journaling.

I would call the surgeons office and see if they had recs on one that might cover. That would be a start point

I know the feeling. My surgeons office told me it’s at least 3 months after I get every thing completed before I’ll have surgery. I’m just hoping I have it before my birthday next year. I’m using the time to improve me.

The thing was the ice cream we got was very healthy. A small local place that makes dairy free low sugar options (that tastes good!). Plus gluten free

I’ve decided not to tell anyone else for now (I’m preop). A big part is because of how my mom and sister reacted. I have a couple friends I have discussed it with and the rest of my close family who are very supportive. We just had family vacation and my mom made a point of pointing out all the things I was doing she thought I wouldn’t be “able” to do after surgery. Drink alcohol (I had 1-2 drinks a day) and have ice cream. Yep. Will I explain to people later? Maybe

I’m not post op but have friends that are and drink and such. The issue is most recreational things can cause you to eat more than you think you are. After some trials my cousin limits herself on anything and then only a couple times a year. She had herself a few times that she made herself sick after nights out.

Good morning, I finally decided to take the step and do a surgery consult. I’ve been considering surgery for 10 years. I tried to talk to my sister about it and she told me I’m mentally I’ll and need to do counseling, that I have PTSD and if I just do counseling I’ll lose weight. Trust me I’ve lost weight before with diets and behavior modification! Then tells me I just need to do keto (also did that I need more veggies and fruits in my life). Anyone have not supportive family? I guess I’m sort of over working so hard (no I’m not constantly eating candy, chips and fast food like everyone says to me) and getting nowhere. About me: 41, she/her, work as a research RN, no kids, never married, 2 dogs. Living the fun life in the desert of Arizona.

I have multiple food allergies. I always just take things I can eat. Just say you have allergies and it’s easier to bring your own things. No one ever gets wierd about my food then.

BP improvement is the big reason my cardiologist wants me to have surgery. I’m on 3 BP meds. Exercise pretty regularly. And have a pacemaker and congenital defects. He said more than likely after surgery I’ll stay on 1 pill and for at least 6 months be closely monitored. When you think about why BP is higher it makes sense. By losing weight you decrease how much effort your heart has to put into just keeping you alive.

Hello! I hope this last week is a quick one and no last minute surprises! Who are you going to?

As a RN my perspective is a little different. I want whatever method my surgeon feels is best for the true variable:me. Each patient has their own complexities and surgeons are trained to deal with them. I’ve been a nurse long enough I have seen some procedures switch from open to lap to robot. Surgeons that utilize robotic assistance still need to be trained in other methods. My cardiologist told me to go with the surgeon I feel comfort and trust in and to me that means the one that will see me as a person and not a number to just perform a surgery on. That would include trust in which method is best and reduces risk for me.

I would like to know where her research is on your exercise. Research studies actually show the best exercise is one you WILL do consistently. I work with oncology patients and walking is what research shows is the best. I would discuss with your surgeons team (nurse, ma etc) the changing issues she has and how she keeps changing the goal and your concerns. Not in an accusatory way but more a concern on if it IS what is best for you. If you have to be consistent and intentional why doesn’t she?

Thanks everyone. I had cancelled my appointment as I was diagnosed with some food allergies. But my cardiologist this week said it would be a very good plan if I would at least start seeing them. He would really like me to be 100 pounds lighter. I haven’t told anyone I actually made the appointment and not sure I will.