Darlene-
 I am so sorry to hear this.  Your family will be in my prayers.

Red

No, not every overweight person on the planet has sleep apnea but many do.  So if you are a snorer, and if your insurance covers it, then why not talk to your PCP about having a sleep study done.  The sleep study is painless.  You will stay overnight in the sleep lab and have leads stuck to your head and legs (sort of like a combination EEG and EKG) .  The thing about it is, while if your anesthesiologist knows you have sleep apnea he/she can take all of the appropriate precautions to keep you safe.  But undiagnosed sleep apnea is another matter and can be very dangerous. 

Take a look at this this video press release put out by the American Society of Anesthesiologists.  http://www.asahq.org/For-the-Public-and-Media/Video-Press-Re leases/Sleep-Apnea.aspx

Red

I love attending the support group meetings. But sadly I live way to far away to attend. But I always make sure to schedule my post op appointments to coincide with the group.

I do travel to Omaha annually for follow-ups with my surgeon and all through the year I fax or email labs to him and he always responds quickly.  I think it is important to maintain a relationship with your surgeon.  I say this for a couple of reasons.  First, the DS is not in mainstream medicine and one never knows when you will need the advice of your surgeon on a serious matter or have your surgeon explain the DS to an ER doc.  All through the years since having surgery little questions have popped up here and there that either I, or one of my physicians needed his advice on.  Things like medication absorption, abdominal pain and the like.  It is mighty reassuring when one has a raging staph infection to hear your surgeon tell you the antibiotic that the hospital has you taking is OK.  Particularly when the prescribing physician is unsure.

Now whether you can maintain that relationship over time without ever seeing your surgeon is an individual matter.  I like my annual trek to Omaha.  It gives me a chance to see my friends out there, go to Dr. Anthone's support group, oh and yeah, see Dr. Anthone!

Red

You've got it.  I will even have the pekes do some magic circles!  I hope it all goes well for you.

Red

Wow that is wonderful news. congrats.  I am curious about the foam -- was it left in there during a procedure or was it connected to the subsequent wound care? 

I will say a prayer for your nurse and her sister.

Red

Oh and good luck to your daughter and her team!

Shortly after the Medicare coverage statement came out I sent an email to the contact person listed about the prep diet. I was told that some of the local plan administers had local coverage rules and those rules might include a supervised diet. So both the doc in Texas and those telling you there is no requirement are probably right. I think the question you should be asking is if you have to travel for surgery which rules would you fall under. Those local to the surgeon or those in your home state? My husband did not have to do the supervised diet and his surgery was covered by Medicare.

I know this pretty confusing and it makes no sense that the requirements would be different but it seems that they are. My best advise would be to call Medicare. Or as I mentioned chose your surgeon and then let them do the checking for you.

I am so sorry for your loss.  Please accept my most sincere condolences.

Red

I get the Torani Syrups at my local World Market.    You can also order them from  the website. 

http://www.worldmarket.com/product/index.jsp?productId=36242 90

I get the pepperidge farm light style low carb bread at Wal-Mart or Publix.  They also sell the mission low carb tortillas.

I did a few years in the Army and my first husband did 22 in the Army and hubby #2 did 20 in the Air Force.  You are indeed fortunate to be able to have your surgery at Madigan, because Tricare does not cover the DS!

Both me and my husband had an open DS and neither of us had any wound issues.

Red

I will make one correction to your statement -- instead of patties -- make it patty!