The MakeMeThinner Support Forum

[Denise]

Wednesday my Mom has to have an Angioplast and I am very worried!
Does anyone have any experience with it?

Thanks...Denise

[falisamarie]

I have had many family members who have had this done and all are just fine, but she and you will be in my prayers!

Lisa

[Denise]

Thanks ladies.

I know it seems to be a routine procedure these days...but she is my Mom and I am concerned. It doesn't help that we live on opposite coasts and I can't be there with her.

[wildtrk]

My father has had this done twice...most recently around the end of last year. Yes, it is a surgical procedure which will always have risks. But the procedure is very common and is very routine. Normal to worry but I would imagine she is in good hands.

[MusicalMomma Reloaded]

Yes, my dad also had it and felt MUCH better after

Keep us posted, we care

[Denise]

Thanks guys...kind words always help!

[Joelie]

OH! Hugs to you Denise!

I don't have any experience with this but wanted to let you know you and mom will be in my thoughts and prayers.

[Arklahoma]

Angioplasty is fairly routine but it does carry risks. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.

[MyFriendTT]

Denise, my prayers to your mom for an easy surgery and a fast recovery. These surgeries are so routine now that most are done out-patient and everyone feels better afterwards. Not to worry.

My Dad had an angioplasty in 2001 and it was no big deal. I used to tease him that he was a 'walking clogged artery' because his cholesterol was sky-high and then he said that now he had the pictures to prove it! His arteries were like angel hair pasta!

Anyway, he had another angioplasty in 2004 and that too, was a breeze. But he didn't change his eating or exercise habits. He loved BBQ ribs and ice cream and he never exercised. And he used to smoke a few cigarrettes a day and was always overweight. As much as I wanted him to get healthy, he just didn't have the skills to deal with the essential pain of dealing with his emotions and NOT eating whatever he wanted. (We are a family of emotional eaters) So, I knew that my dad would probably not be around too much longer if he continued on the same path.

So, he took cholesterol meds and a dozen others, but the abuse of his body even after all the medical help was too much and he passed away last year from a heart attack after a colonoscopy. He was only 61.

My mother has some similar issues, plus she's a Type-II Diabetic and now she's a widow, so there's added stress for more emotional eating.

The sad part is that there was nothing I could do except show by example. I've always exercised and eaten healthfully (though when I eat emotionally, its the bad stuff) and I take my vitamins, etc. I went through a program to deal with my emot. eating so that I don't have to suffer through those health issues and can lose weight on MF.

I wish I could have made my parents eat healthier and exercise and take vitamins and do whatever to be healthy, but you can't make an adult do something they don't want to do, especially if they didn't learn to take care of their bodies when they were children.

I'm not saying that your mom is on the same path as my dad, but if there is any way to help her get the skills to take the best care of herself that she can, the angioplasty will be the first step towards a new and healthy LONG life.
Take care,
TT

[Jan]

Hi Denise,
My hubby Paul had one done in 1997 at the age of 46. He had one clogged artery which they were able to open. Our good friend who is a cardiologist did the procedure. It was done in the hospital because Paul had just had a heart attack about 2 days before. Paul watched the whole thing. He said it was a bit painful when they inflated the baloon(felt like the heart attack) but other than that was not a problem. The whole procedure didn't take long at all. He has been monitored closely since then but has had no further problems. He sees the cardiologist about every six months. He tries to eat as healthy as possible but sometimes he deviates and has something which is a bit fatty. This procedure is becoming rather routine and it is certainly better to have the clogged plumbing opened up before the heart attack occurs. I'll pray for your mom. Any precedure is scary.
jan

[Denise]

Thanks again...for everyones thoughts and stories! I do feel a bit better!

Good health to all!

[dede4wd]

Denise,

Making sure Mom's safely in recovery!

DeDe

[Denise]

Hey everyone! Just to let you know ..everything went really well for my mommy! She will be getting out ot the hospital today!

Thanks for all the kind words!

You guys are great!

[alpha femme]

great news! glad she's doing well.

[dede4wd]

Phew!

I'm so glad everything went well! YAY!

DeDe