I found out yesterday that I need approval from a cardiologist to have the surgery. I got a referral from my MD. Do I just need a stress test? Do you have to go in as a new patient? I don’t have any heart issues and I am not sure why he wants it. They submitted everything to the insurance company so I would like to have this done before the insurance approval comes back. Hoping to get the surgery in October.

Let me know what your experience was like with this situation. Thanks.

I think if you’ve never seen this cardiologist before, you would be considered a new patient. I too have never had any heart issues. I had my appt. 4 mo. before my surgery. The surgeon thought I’d have to have a stress test but the cardiologist just did an EKG and that was it. He (cardiologist) said as long as I wasn’t presenting with any other problems, any further testing could produce a false positive. I think all surgeons (and maybe insurance co.?) just need a cardiologist to clear you for surgery. Good Luck with your surgery!!

I got a stress test which showed a little abnormality of some sort. So I got a nuclear scan which showed a "shadow" over my left ventricle. I came back a few days later to repeat and the same shadow was still there. So THEN I had to get a heart cath! Oh my. I did not expect that and was really worried. But it went well and all of my coronary arteries were clean as could be. Boy, was that a relief, and great to know that my years of obesity had not damaged my heart or clogged up any vessels.

The "shadow" on the nuclear scan was probably some dense breast tissue. Would not be a problem now, since the bitty things practically hang down to my waist now!

Yeah it can be a SHOCK when your " Girls" diminish. I went from a Fairly Good Rack to a Toothbrush Cuppie- shelf. Others talk about Tube Socks and Tennis Balls, I'm more like Toddler socks and ping pong balls- Oh Well, I've said to others Under the Fluff and Flab I'm REALLY a Junior, ranged if I wasn't RIGHT- I will finish ata B cupdown from my former rounded DDs???

6 hours ago, Lynnem6 said:

I think if you’ve never seen this cardiologist before, you would be considered a new patient. I too have never had any heart issues. I had my appt. 4 mo. before my surgery. The surgeon thought I’d have to have a stress test but the cardiologist just did an EKG and that was it. He (cardiologist) said as long as I wasn’t presenting with any other problems, any further testing could produce a false positive. I think all surgeons (and maybe insurance co.?) just need a cardiologist to clear you for surgery. Good Luck with your surgery!!

Thank you.

5 hours ago, AZhiker said:

I got a stress test which showed a little abnormality of some sort. So I got a nuclear scan which showed a "shadow" over my left ventricle. I came back a few days later to repeat and the same shadow was still there. So THEN I had to get a heart cath! Oh my. I did not expect that and was really worried. But it went well and all of my coronary arteries were clean as could be. Boy, was that a relief, and great to know that my years of obesity had not damaged my heart or clogged up any vessels.

The "shadow" on the nuclear scan was probably some dense breast tissue. Would not be a problem now, since the bitty things practically hang down to my waist now!

Your right. It would be good to know that everything is ok after years of obesity. I am glad everything turned out good for you. Thanks for your response.

Looking forward to losing some of the Double D girls. They are a food magnet and are the cause of a lot of ruined shirts. ?

In my pre-op testing, I also had to have cardiac clearance. My doctor made a referral and I went in for a stress test. It was one appointment and they did the stress test on the spot. It was no big deal other than the fact that I felt like a lumbering cow on the treadmill.

Side note: When I had my lap band surgery in 2005, I didn't need cardiac clearance. When I was sleeved in 2018, I was in my mid-40s. I assumed the age was the factor. Maybe it's become standard?

my surgeon required a cardiac stress test for anyone over 50 years old AND for anyone who's had previous heart issues, regardless of age. So yes, I had it (I was 55 when I had surgery). It was pretty easy.

Edited September 6, 20196 yr by catwoman7

I had to have a cardiac clearance as well but it just consisted of an EKG. Since that was all normal along with my chest x-ray and my pre-op lab work I didn't have to do anything beyond that.

I had minimal prep work before surgery, not even the liquid diet everyone enjoyed! I did have a quick ekg that I didn't even know I needed, it wasnt in the check list paperwork. I got it a few days before surgery when I had an intake appt at the hospital which was a blood test and loads of questions.

As part of my Primary's clearance she ordered an EKG. Something very minor came back and although she wasn't too worried about it she required a nuclear test that showed everything was functioning well. It was a little scary and kind of a pain in the neck to have yet another test but in the end it does give you piece of mind that everyone is really looking out for your best interest.

I only had to get an EKG and then my cardiologist asked me if I could walk without being extremely out of breath. That was it and they sent that in to the Bariatric center as my cardiac clearance needed. I even have a slight heart arrhythmia I got diagnosed with last year but he still said I am clear and ready for surgery.

On 9/5/2019 at 9:38 PM, Frustr8 said:

Yeah it can be a SHOCK when your " Girls" diminish. I went from a Fairly Good Rack to a Toothbrush Cuppie- shelf. Others talk about Tube Socks and Tennis Balls, I'm more like Toddler socks and ping pong balls- Oh Well, I've said to others Under the Fluff and Flab I'm REALLY a Junior, ranged if I wasn't RIGHT- I will finish ata B cupdown from my former rounded DDs???

Yup. 42DD to 36B here!

18 hours ago, lingre said:

I only had to get an EKG and then my cardiologist asked me if I could walk without being extremely out of breath. That was it and they sent that in to the Bariatric center as my cardiac clearance needed. I even have a slight heart arrhythmia I got diagnosed with last year but he still said I am clear and ready for surgery.

Thanks for your response. I just don’t want it to delay my surgery. I got an appointment with a cardiologist on September 27th so I should be ok.

Thank you so much for everyone’s response. I feel much better about this. I have an appointment with a cardiologist on September 27th. It should not delay my surgery.