Interested in what happened in the pulmonary consult for clearance prior to sleeve.

Sometimes they require a sleep study like to check for sleep apnea.

An ECG and some blood tests is all I had.

I didn't have any pulmonary tests done per se but had a sleep apnea at home sleep test done via a neurologist. I did have to get a cardiac clearance as I am over 50.

Wondering because I would be eligible for surgery in April but my last consult (the pulmonologist) isn’t scheduled till June 6th ! Which makes me miss not only my possible surgery time (April) but also will roll me over to a new insurance deductible year. Which will cost me thousands. I just had a 2 day sleep study the end of December by my cardiologist and wore a 30 day cardiac monitor in October-November. I have a few hundred pages of ECG. If that’s all they need I can provide those from my cardiologist. My insurance will not pay for those repeated tests I’m sure.

Who is requiring the pulmonary consult...insurance or surgeon? If its the surgeon, maybe he/she can waive the requirement. I was wondering why the pulmonologist consult...do you have asthma? If its insurance, then there would be no waiver. Can you see a different pulmonologist? Not sure where you live but calling around to see if you could get in earlier with a different one could be an option.

just found this with a google search...if it's just to check for sleep apnea (which you say you did with the cardiologist) and get a pulmonary function test (PFT) maybe you could get a PFT through your PCP or ask your PCP how to get one quicker. The PFT is a simple test where you blow through a large straw like thing which is attached to a computer and it measures your lung capacity. My son just had it done to rule out asthma.

Its similar to me with my surgeon requiring a Psychiatric evaluation. and the doctor for that didnt have a opening for a few months. they did say i could choose someone else if i wanted (I had no luck there) Maybe you can call around and see if anyone can do that test you need sooner.

I just talked to surgeon nurse. Apparently I need a PFT and they want it done with this specific pulmonologist because she works easiest to get the clearance back to them. And they may want further testing if it’s needed. I am trying to call this pulmonologist to see if they can see me any faster. Maybe they have a cancellation list. Please pray this works out !!

I am not an asthmatic. Never any lung problems. Never a smoker. 45 yrs old and BMI is 36. Nurse said it is required by anesthesia.

3 hours ago, Jessica1024 said:

I just talked to surgeon nurse. Apparently I need a PFT and they want it done with this specific pulmonologist because she works easiest to get the clearance back to them. And they may want further testing if it’s needed. I am trying to call this pulmonologist to see if they can see me any faster. Maybe they have a cancellation list. Please pray this works out !!

they scheduled me way out but when I said I was having surgery on such-and-such a date, they put me on a cancellation list and I got in a lot earlier (before my potential surgery date) -I think given the situation, they put me at the top of the cancellation list (this was for the sleep study - but still, the same would probably apply to your situation...)

I would try a different pulmonologist. I had the same issue but with the gastroenterologist and scheduling my endoscopy. The first dr I went to couldn’t get my endoscopy scheduled before March 25. I found another dr on my own who could do it sooner and was able to have my endoscopy done last week. Now when I see my surgeon tomorrow, all my requirements are done and we can hopefully schedule the date.

Update : I called the pulmonologist that I had the set June appointment with, explained the situation, I now have an appointment March 31 ! Receptionist said it was no problem. The bariactric nurse simple asked for an appointment and must not have looked at my file to see that all other requirements will be met by March 8th. (Ya know, the little details). This now gives me a 3 month allowance for insurance clearance before my deductible rolls over. So glad I didn’t just sit back and accept the appointment situation. Saved myself time and thousands of dollars. Thanks for all the support !!!!!