I went to see a surgeon yesterday, my weight is 207, height 5' 3" BMI 36. I have have very high cholesterol (good & bad) Rapid heart beat, just found out today that my sugar is up, my liver is enlarged (going for ultra sound). The Dr. wants me to have all these tests... upper GI with & with out barium, sleep test, ECG, stress test, chest xrays 2 views PLUS OB-GYN pap smear, a colonoscopy & a mammogram Please tell me what all those tests are needed & why????? I have Pa BC/BS EPO.

Okay, it may feel like overkill because that is a LOT to do, but it sounds like the doctor is just being very thorough. I've worked in outpatient surgery for about 5 years and can try to help as best I can.

Upper GI with & with out barium - are you having any type of swallowing or stomach issues? Acid reflux? Abdominal pain? This just maps out the anatomy of your stomach and your swallowing.

sleep test - normal screening test for anyone with obesity. To screen for Sleep Apnea, which can be deadly during anesthesia.

ECG - rapid heart rate. They want to make sure your heart is in the correct rhythm.

Stress test - high cholesterol and rapid heart beat. They want to make sure your heart is in good enough condition to handle the stress of surgery.

Chest xrays 2 views - normal for rapid heart rate. To check for any abnormality of the heart and lungs.

OB-GYN pap smear, colonoscopy, mammogram - "normal" routine screening tests everyone should have at some point. Most likely, just ensuring that your body is healthy enough to 1) withstand surgery/anesthesia, and 2) you aren't going to get all geared up, get through surgery and find out a few months later you have colon/cervical/breast cancer.

Hope that helps!

I had surgery less than a yr ago. I see my PCP every 4 months, just had mammogram, EKG, I don't have problems swallowing, had a colonoscopy approx 5 yrs ago, Thank you for your help. Good luck with your surgery

Besides the colonscopy, because I am only 38, I did all of these tests and a nuclear stress test in preparation for my surgery 8/1.