So I've been going for all of my testing and I am so confused as to what each is for, if it will stop me from getting surgery, and what is good or bad results...

I have already gone for bloodwork (everything was fine except my LDL was a little high), sleep test was requested for a part 2 after my at home was taken, and I got breathing test results, but I have NO idea what they mean....

Can anyone shed some light? I am so confused and have no idea what I should be worrying about - wish a dr would explain them lol

I didn't really know the results of any of my testing until my results visit with my surgeon. The gastroenterologist said that he was approving surgery for me, but that's all I knew prior to visiting with my surgeon. As hard as it was, I just had to trust the process to a degree and ride it out. Best of luck!

The blood work will alert the doctor to any conditions he needs to be aware of. For example, if your platelets are too large, you may be a bleeder, annd he would know to be prepared to compensate for that. It wil tell the doctor if you are anemic or have low Iron, and need extra iron post-op....stuff like that.

The Endoscopy will let the doctor see inside your stomach so that he is aware of any soreness or developing ulcers.

The ultrasound on your liver will tell the doctor if your liver is enlarged or extra fatty, two conditions that must be considered. This makes it even more important to endure the "liver shrinking" pre-op liquid diet. An enlarged liver will get in the way during surgery and may even be cause to delay surgery until the condition is addressed.

Some people had to have a cardiac stress test to make sure there heart is healthy enough to support a successful surgery.

The doctor is just looking for input into how your body will respond to the surgery. So, I agree that you should engage the process, because if any of the results delays your bariatric surgery, you will be healthier for it and in better condition for when surgery day actually comes.

The sleep study will help qualify you for surgery, as it is a co-morbidity. the test will also tell you if you should have been sleeping with a CPAP anyway.

Doctor's should be better at informing their patients about why they call for certain tests.

You should ask your doctor exactly what each test is for. He should be explaining all of that to you from the get go.

The sleep test is to see if you have sleep apnea. If the home test showed something of concern, they want to do a full study. High cholesterol in your blood work is very common, and will most likely correct once you start losing weight.

Please talk with your doctor and ask him to explain ALL of this to you. It's really important to have an open line of communication, before and after this huge life changing surgery.

the blood work is indicating if there are any areas in which things need to be changed. like my vitamin d was extremely low. so I was put on it. my thyroid is a low normal. lets watch that said my doctor etc. you maybe put on iron if you are a bit anemic. the sleep apnea is very important for you because if you have it you need a cpap machine. it really really helps. it helps in your recovery after surgery too. the test are just making sure you are as healthy as you can be. our food intake is so different and to regulate after surgery is done would be harder. my doctor ordered so many test that it took 15 vials of blood, I swear 15. and since surgery I have had panels done about once every 4 months.

Which tests are ordered will depend on what information your doctor feels like they need and what is required by your insurance. Don't be afraid to ask questions - it's your body and you have every right to know what each test is for and what the results are.

Thanks guys!

I find myself getting more and more worried because his office staff doesn't know any of the information, and every time I walk in there for an appointment or call - they give me the same info as a first time patient because they don't remember me being there or don't read my file. Not to mention, he doesn't give me any more info than "so you need to take this test, this test, and that test... ok they'll give you everything up front, buh bye".

I JUST got my call at 515pm from St Barnabas leaving a message about time and place - I didn't know they were having me go to the hospital for it, let alone they originally gave me Wednesday as my date for the endoscopy. The girl in the office told me 1pm, the hospital is telling me 11:30. Am I supposed to not eat beforehand? Where am I supposed to go? What am I supposed to bring? The questions are just making this more stressful than need be.

January can't come soon enough!