This post is part of a series of frequently asked questions patients have about weight loss surgery. If you have a question about bariatric surgery you would like to have answered, please comment below and we will answer it in the next series.

Can I have laparoscopic surgery if I have heart disease?

Yes, but you may need medical clearance from your cardiologist. Bariatric surgery leads to improvement in most problems related to heart disease including:

• High Blood Pressure
• Cholesterol
• Lipid problems
• Heart enlargement (dilated heart, or abnormal thickening)
• Vascular (artery and vein) and coronary (heart artery) disease

During the screening process, be sure to let your surgeon or nurse know about any heart conditions you have. Even those with atrial fibrillation, heart valve replacement, or previous stents or heart bypass surgery usually do very well. If you are on blood thinners of any type, expect special instructions just before and after surgery.