Surgery canceled

Innervision

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 26, 2017
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113
Hi all, I was supposed to have a virgin DS tomorrow but the doc's office called yesterday and canceled due to my pre-op ekg. I apparently now need a cardiac clearance. Until yesterday I didn't know there was a cardiac issue. So, I'm bummed. I am planning to stay on the pre-op diet they have me on but continue the coffee they wanted me to stop months ago (small consolation). I think it will all work out but I was so mentally and emotionally ready to get "switched." So disappointed.
 
First - MO people often have abnormal EKGs, especially women, because of fat/breast tissue on the chest wall.

I had two friends who had DS a while after me; both were my age (they were both in their early 50s at the time) and both were over 400 lbs.

1) My male friend had developed kidney issues, and was, as most men are, centrally obese. His preop EKG was abnormal. He had to undergo an "emergency" angiogram the day before his scheduled surgery (he had to travel to the Bay Area, and his COBRA insurance was about to expire). The angiogram showed an astonishingly clear cardiovascular system, giving him more confidence that he was not going to die on the table.

2) My female friend (who had an even higher BMI, being much shorter), also had a bad preop EKG, and the angiogram discovered a 95% blocked coronary artery (and others as well). She was rotorooted and had to delay surgery for 2 months, to taper off the anticoagulants. She did fine - but could have died on the table if they had operated without unblocking her coronary arteries.

So the further testing may be reassuring, if it turns out that your coronary system is fine, OR it may find and fix something that needs to be fixed for you to safely have your surgery.

Either way, it's a good thing.
 
First - MO people often have abnormal EKGs, especially women, because of fat/breast tissue on the chest wall.

I had two friends who had DS a while after me; both were my age (they were both in their early 50s at the time) and both were over 400 lbs.

1) My male friend had developed kidney issues, and was, as most men are, centrally obese. His preop EKG was abnormal. He had to undergo an "emergency" angiogram the day before his scheduled surgery (he had to travel to the Bay Area, and his COBRA insurance was about to expire). The angiogram showed an astonishingly clear cardiovascular system, giving him more confidence that he was not going to die on the table.

2) My female friend (who had an even higher BMI, being much shorter), also had a bad preop EKG, and the angiogram discovered a 95% blocked coronary artery (and others as well). She was rotorooted and had to delay surgery for 2 months, to taper off the anticoagulants. She did fine - but could have died on the table if they had operated without unblocking her coronary arteries.

So the further testing may be reassuring, if it turns out that your coronary system is fine, OR it may find and fix something that needs to be fixed for you to safely have your surgery.

Either way, it's a good thing.
Thank you Diana, I always appreciate your deep knowledge.
 
I had an abnormal EKG when I did my fast program right before my surgery. It was fine. Sorry about the delay, but better to know everything is OK which it most likely is. :) And if it's not, better to take care of it.
 
Same. Abnormal EKG, referred to cardiologist, had to do the treadmill and some other tests. Nothing found. But they didn't schedule the DS surgery until all the tests were done. How disappointing to have them schedule it and then find out it would be delayed! Don't think of it as "cancelled". It's just being rescheduled. Hope it all goes well...
 
I also had an abnormal EKG. Got to meet a very cute cardiologist :) I had a stress echo and a 24 hour monitor, everything looked great. I also had to be cleared before they gave me a date. I would also be frustrated to have to reschedule! Hopefully you can get in quickly to a cardiologist to clear up the issue.
 
Hello everyone, a lot has happened since my last post. I went to a cardiologist, had an echo and that was good enough to get clearance. My surgery was re-scheduled for 11/8/17. So, I am 4 days post-op, traditional DS. I am sipping, sipping, sipping, and walking around the house. I'm in some discomfort but I wouldn't say great pain. My friends and family have been very supportive. I am doing well in the clear liquids phase but will be happy to move on to purée after my doc appt next week. Thanks for your support.
 
Congratulations, and welcome to the loser's bench! I'm so glad they found nothing - and a six-week or so delay to ensure that you were in good shape for surgery will be just a blip in the road in the long run. Once you're a bit more healed and eating real food, you are going to feel amazing!
 
Congratulations, and welcome to the loser's bench! I'm so glad they found nothing - and a six-week or so delay to ensure that you were in good shape for surgery will be just a blip in the road in the long run. Once you're a bit more healed and eating real food, you are going to feel amazing!
Thank you!
 

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