Pre-surgery update. C-pap. Originally written Nov 16, 2017

Dec 22, 2017

So, a bit has happened since I last posted. I had another visit with the nutritionist and what was supposed to be the final visit with my surgeon. Those appointments both happened on the same day (a week and a half ago) and they were submitting my file to insurance the same day. That was a Monday. On that Thursday (exactly one week ago), I had my appointment to get my c-pap machine. It went pretty well. I was given a machine that has "nose pillows" instead of something more intrusive. It takes distilled water and I didn't have time to get to the store, so I didn't start using my machine until the next day (Friday).

The machine isn't so bad, though I can't say that it's comfortable. It's way more high-tech than I thought it would be. I was used to seeing my Dad's old c-pap machine from the 90s that made a ton of noise and was huge. The one I got is the size of a game console and it is really "plugged in" so to speak. It tells me my AHI (how many episodes I have in a night), if the mask fits well, how many hours I wore it, etc. That is good and bad. On the plus side, I know that my AHI went from just over 10 when I did my sleep study to under 1 every night. I was told that under 5 is good, so I'm happy with that. The downside is that the machine sends out readings, so my insurance company will know if I'm not wearing it. I have to be compliant for a minimum of 2 weeks before surgery.

Now, I've worn the machine/mask for a total of 5 nights. The first night and last night were the worst. I took it off after 4.7 hours the first night and after 5 hours last night (a "compliant" night is at least 4 hours). It's weird having a mask on my face and having to worry about the long tube connected to the machine. I already wrenched the tubing too hard one night and the machine fell over and I had to clean up the distilled water. Whomp whomp. I haven't done that since. Last night, after I took the mask off, I did notice by myself that I was snoring without the machine, so I have to be real in saying that it does help. I'll wear it every night and then see where we are after surgery. I hope that by losing the weight, I'll lose the sleep apnea as well.

Anyway - back to pre-surgery stuff... I was told that it takes a week, max to hear back from my insurance, so I was a bit nervous when I didn't hear back a week later. I did hear back this afternoon with good news and bad news. Bad news is that my insurance denied my claim because the hospital isn't a bariatric hospital of excellence, or whatever. I specifically called my insurance company a month ago and they said that didn't matter. That person was wrong. Good news is that the other surgeon in the practice is willing to take over my case because his hospital (Winchester Hospital in Winchester, MA vs Lawrence Memorial in Medford, MA) has the excellence rating. That means that I have to change surgeons near the end of the process, which sucks, but I hear he is really good too.

I now have to go meet him on Monday to establish that he is my new surgeon before my paperwork can be resubmitted to insurance. If it goes quickly, I can still have a December surgery date. If it takes too long (especially considering Thanksgiving is next week), my date might be pushed back, which would suck hardcore. I will have to pay another copay to see this doctor and establish care, but whatever. I'm happy to do it IF I can still have my late December surgery date. If that doesn't work out, it will have been kind of a waste.

Fingers crossed that my meeting with the new surgeon goes well next week, that my insurance approves quickly and that I can get the surgery date in December that I initially wanted! Will update again soon!

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