Pre-op tests

[debi]

Just wondering what kind of pre-op tests your lap band surgeon required. My PCP is leaving no stone unturned. I'm feeling a little overwhelmed.

Debi

[ladytonya]

My PCP is pretty laid back about the whole thing. He just says whatever the surgeon says you need to have, I'll do! I have a full battery of blood tests and an h-pylori test, an upper GI, a psych eval, and have to see a nutritionist. My surgeon said my insurance company would require 5 years of weight history, but he already has that in my medical records. I would need documented co-morbidities if I weren't over 40 BMI but since I'm WELL over 40 BMI, I don't have to worry about that. What are all the tests he is ordering for you? Maybe someone here could say whether they are typical or not, I just know that what I am having plus a few other things that my surgeon did not order are what I have read about on here. anyway, good luck to you! I'm still in pre-op, too, so maybe we'll both be there someday!

[mysherrijo]

Bloodwork and that was it for me. Good luck on your upcoming surgery.

[Idahobeauty]

Funny you should post this now. I just came in from getting my mail and my list was enclosed with my acceptance letter.

psychologist eval
Dietician eval
sleep study
EKG
chest x ray
7 different blood tests
Diet history
Support group involvement
Letter of approval from my primary care doc

It is overwhelming at first but they go fast. I have already had a sleep study (that takes the longest), but the rest I got done in two days except the dietician and the psychologist. I just called and made an appt for those. I hope this helps

[debi]

In my case, the surgeon's office seems to be pretty laid back. I haven't actually seen the surgeon yet (except for the seminar). I questioned one of his office staff regarding what tests would be required. I was told that they let the PCP decide what's necessary.

Perhaps when I meet with the surgeon's nurse practitioner, he'll review my history and suggest any tests that they may feel are necessary. However, I really can't think of anything that my PCP hasn't thought of, except screening for sleep apnea and a barium swallow.

So far, I have had:
- blood tests
- seen a pulmonologist (which required a chest x-ray & breathing tests)
- an abdominal ultrasound
- an ecchocardiogram (because I'm 55), which led to a nuclear stress
test, which ended up leading to an angiogram, which turned out well
(whew!)

I think my PCP is going to require an endoscopy too.

This is exhausting.

[debi]

Oh yes, I forgot the psych evaluation (already did that) and 2 support groups sessions I have to attend before surgery.

Debi

[Goannabanda]

I am in Australia. So far, I have had:


chest x-ray
blood tests
urine tests
EKG
physician consult
echocardiogram (only because physician found a heart murmur)
psych eval
dietician (group information session, 3 more to follow post-op)


I think that's it!

[JILLMC]

My surgeon only required an Upper GI and I did that on Wednesday. My PCP did blood work too just to as a precaution but everything is normal.

[wavydaby]

Blood work, including various vitamin profiles (b's and d)
I would be very concerned if the Dr did not request an H pylori test.
H pylori is the bug that causes ulcers in some people and can have a negative effect on healing if not treated before surgery

[debi]

I'm thinking that if I pass all these tests without anything significant being wrong, I may just live to be 100, especially once I lose weight.

[Goannabanda]

I'm thinking that if I pass all these tests without anything significant being wrong, I may just live to be 100, especially once I lose weight.

Yeah - if nothing else, it's a great opportunity to have a health work-up.:nod:

The only thing they didn't check out is my "girlie health". I'll get a check up at the ob/gyn for that later, then I'll be all done. I've contemplated asking the band surgeon to have "a look around" and check my ovaries etc while he's in there, but he's not an ob/gyn, so I guess that he won't.

[fish]

Debi I know what you mean. I seen my doctor and all of his team for the first visit yesterday. They gave me a stack of papers with Scripts for all kind of testing. They told me get them done right away. I have to have an Upper GI, a Scope test, Blood work, A 6 min. breating test while on a treadmill, chest x ray, Heart doctor consult, Water arobitic exercise class, psych eval , see the diet lady three times and loose 10 to 15 lbs before surgery I think that is all. When I got home I was so confused so much to understand at once. I guess this is what they call jumping thru all the hoops.
fish