The stress test is not hard. My doctor stayed with me during the test. You get on a treadmill that goes slowly, and inclines gradually more and more. You need to tell them about a minute before you think you can't go anymore - they have to inject you with something. Then, If I remember correctly, they have you lay down and take a MRI (or one of those other xray type thingies). You will then have to wait a couple of hours and have the MRI done again. Like I said, it's not hard - just time consuming. Takes up half a day, anyway. The hardest is the treadmill - and it's not fast, just inclines more & more - That part last only 2-3-4 minutes.
Anyway, I would think that it would be important to have it done prior to surgery. There may be more tests that they have you do, in order to be sure that you do well through and after.
I was approved in Jan - had to get a couple of more tests done, too - one was a Pulmonary Function test and then they had me see a pulomonologist (sp). Everything turned out ok, so now I'm just waiting on a date (at least I hope that's all that I have to do!)
Good Luck
__________________
I'm just an ol' chunk of coal, Oh Lord, but I'm gonna be a diamond someday!
January 11, 2007 - BCBS approved
Surgery date March 28, 2007 Lap RNY
266/
188.8/To be healthy!!!
78.2 pounds GONE!