Question:
Is this not as hard as I thought or am I just lucky?
I went for my first consultation 4/7. Had my appointment with my doctor the next day. On 4/11 I did my psych evaluation. While waiting in the lobby to be called back for that I got a call asking to do my sleep study 4/14. I did that and the next day went first thing in the morning for blood work and later that night had my EKG done. Then on 4/16 got another call saying I have sleep apnea and needed another study so I went again that night. I have now gotten everything done and just waiting on my doctor to write his letter. It seems like it's taking forever! Has anyone else had it go this fast? Also they said I probably need the CPAP. Has anyone gotten out of having to have it? — megan23 (posted on April 18, 2008)
April 18, 2008
Yes, my first sleep study did not go well and I was told I needed a CPCP.
But the next test was at a different facatily and I weas tired and just
slep like a baby. They said my breathing was no perfect, but with the
surgery in weeks I would have no problem. After sugery they put me on
Oxygen, and then keep me over for three extra days. At the end of that
time, they told me I was breathing well on my own and I needed no further
sleep studies.
— William (Bill) wmil
April 18, 2008
Wow, your schedule has really accelerated! I thought mine was fast but it
will be a little longer than 2 months from beginning to surgery.
If they say you need a Cpap, Honey, You need and WANT a cpap. Sleep
apnea is a dangerous conditon and that Cpap can heal a multitude of
problems. Poor sleep can cause all kinds of problems like WEIGHT GAIN,
CONCENTRATION, PROBLEMS OF FOCUSING, PSYCHOSIS, AND EVEN DEATH. No one
wants to get out of a CPAP because they are life savers. Don't fight it,
get it. YOu will feel much better when you sleep without waking up,
knowlingly or unknowingly, trying to get breath...BREATH is good. Good
luck on your surgery. Lyn
— SkinnyLynni2B
April 18, 2008
LUCKY!!!!!
— [Deactivated Member]
April 18, 2008
Hi Megan, I also have to use the cpap machine. I allways felt so very tired
and my pcp suggested I have a sleep study. I have used it now for about 3
years. I'm sometimes still tired but I'm a single mom with 2 children and
work alot of overtime. I have the comfort curve mask and it is so much more
comfortable. You can go online and get info. and pictures of the cpap
machines and diff. masks. Make sure you are able to get the machine that
you add water so that it humidfies the air you are breathing in. It will
keep you from getting a dry throat. However since you will be having wls..
you will probably be able to get rid of your sleep apnea down the road.
Check out my profile, I was amazed at how fast things went for me also.
march 4th went to the wls seminar and by march 28th I was approved. Will be
having ryn in 40 days. Best of luck to you. Hope this helped. Michele
— helpmelord
April 18, 2008
I do think that you are the exception rather than the rule in how
expeditious your pre-op "challenges" and requirements are being
handled. I was a self pay and it all happened very quickly as I had very
few hoops to jump through. Most people I talk to complain about how
lenghty the process is so koodos to you!
As far as the CPAP goes, there isn't really any way of "getting out of
having it" that is healthy to life. I would strongly encourage you to
research obstructive sleep apnea and the ravages on your body. I have
always had it, thin and obese and used a CPAP for many years. Fact of the
matter is I will probably always have it. In saying that I have chosen to
embrace it and change the way I think about it. I get a good night's rest,
my memory is much better, my blood pressure is down and I'm not always
tired- nothing to complain about as far as I can see. My CPAP machine is
tiny and I wear a small gel mask over my nose which is very comfortable.
Most likely, once you lose some weight, your obstructive sleep apnea will
resolve itself. Most often is the case after WLS or significant weight
loss. Until then, like any other disease, please take care of it and be as
healthy as you can.
Good luck,
Dawn Vickers, RN, BLC
— DawnVic
April 18, 2008
Mine has moved fairly quickly too. I was required to lose 29 pounds and
that's the hold up now. But I've lost 17 so I'm getting there. I had to
have the sleep study and they said I had mild sleep apnea so I got my CPAP
last week. So far, I'm loving it. It is rather strange to get used to but
I feel better. This may sound weird but I feel oxygenated! I think maybe
my brain is working better? I agree with the other people here. Embrace
the CPAP. Everything we are going through right now is an effort to be
healthy! That is the number 1 priority. Oh, and my surgeon requires all
patients diagnosed with sleep apnea to sleep with the machine for 2 weeks
before he will do surgery. But that's my guy, yours may be different. He
just wants me to be in the best possible shape for surgery to avoid
complications or, horrors, an open procedure. Good luck to you!
— GlitterGal
April 19, 2008
WOW! You are really lucky! That's amazingly fast. I would also embrace
the CPAP. My brother calls his his "bed-time-buddy". I have one
too and don't go to sleep w/o it. But, that being said, you are having
surgery and you will probably not need it for very long once you weight
comes off. I would suggest you see if you might rent one based on your
special circumstances. Or, perhaps you could buy one from someone who has
had the surgery and is no longer needing theirs. Have it reconditioned and
cleaned and there you go. Buying the hose and mask may set you back. I
had to replace a hose once and it cost me $80.00. I made my own head gear
b/c to replace that was $65.00. Good luck and God speed you on your
amazing journey to being all He has meant for you to be.
— waterlover
April 19, 2008
You are fortunate. I went to an orientation that my doctors' practice has,
telling about the different options (November 2006). Then my insurance
indicated, once I decided on the operation type (lapband), that in order to
get approved, I had to demonstrate 6 months of dedication to weight loss (I
chose to go to WW for 6 months, weighing in once a month). Once I finished
that--in May 2007, I went through the nutritionist, psych eval, etc., and
it wasn't until July 2007 that it was approved by my insurance. I had the
surgery done around August 6, 2007, and have gone from 297 just prior to it
to about 214 now. I have about 37 pounds to go to get to my doctor's goal
weight for me. My doctor says my loss is faster than most with lapband.
So your story sounds really quick to me. Believe me, it is worth the wait,
even if you have a wait.
And as for sleep apnea, about 8 years ago I did the first set of tests,
where it was confirmed I had apnea, but didn't go back for a mask, etc.,
until about 3 years later, when a colleague indicated how much better her
husband felt now that he used a mask. So I've used one ever since, and I
must say I feel much more rested in the morning. Now, with my weight loss,
I'm not snoring, but I'm still using it--and I travel with it too. So
don't be too negative about it until you try it. I NEVER thought I could
adjust to it, but I did so quickly and never regret having used it. Best
wishes.
— pdmatuske1
April 19, 2008
Meghan, I have sleep Ap, I dont like anything on my face either But, I have
the new mask and it isnt cupped over my face it is like 2 nostril covers.
It is more comfortable to sleep with. I am not sure that sleep apnea goes
away totally. I have it bad and sleep soundly every night.
— obx100
April 19, 2008
As another person has replied, go ahead and get the CPAP machine if they
say you need it. I have one, and it is not as bad as what you might think.
It is actually a dream come true for me, as I could not understand for
years why I was not getting a good night's rest... As far as the quickness
of your study, you must just have some awesome staff in the MD's office.
Mine has been like this, too. Good luck to you! What surgery are you
going for? Me, I'm going for the Lap Band. Maria
— Maria V.
April 20, 2008
I never had to have anything before my surgery except my EKG and blood
work. But, again I had mine done in 1999. They now require it before the
surgery. I never even had counseling about the surgery. Everything has
changed so much since I have had mine done.
— nascar_angel_3_2003
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