This is a semi-long story but I'm so hot right now. My husband keeps telling me not to worry but my brain is on 24/7 so that won't work.

Back in May, I had a consult with the surgeon to discuss gastric sleeve. I decided to go forward. A week later, I did a sleep study. My insurance doesn't require it, the doctor does. She has yet to explain to me why.

Before the sleep study, my surgeon asked me some preliminary questions relating to sleep apnea like if I fall asleep during the day at random (no), has my husband ever told me I snore (no), am I tired during the day (no), etc.

I go to the sleep study anyway (although I think they're BS and by the end of the story, you'll understand why). I have panic disorder and taking a test to see if you are dying every night isn't the most calm-inducing situation. During the study, I was chest deep into a full panic attack, not to mention the fact that I don't appreciate paste in my hair (I make my living off of my hair and I don't want unknown substances in it).  Further, I don't sleep on my back and they must have had the A/C at 20 degrees in there because I was literally shivering all night.

In short, I didn't sleep a wink at all. I heard every word that came from the television. I heard every footstep going up and down the hall. I heard every giggle from the techs at the front desk. I heard every flush of the toilet. I simply was not asleep. I just laid there all night. At 5:30-ish the technician came to tell me I could leave.

I get a call a week later saying I only slept 40 minutes. OOOOKKKKAAAAY! So right there my BS theory is confirmed. Anyway, they want me to come back and take another one, presumably so they can feign sleep apnea and get my insurance for the cost of the CPAP. Before I go further, I should say that my surgeon's business office and this sleep center's business office addresses that are curiously similar to one another and both offices are more than several miles away from the surgeons office and the sleep center I went to. However, the hospital the surgeon is affiliated with is within elevator-distance from her office and they have a sleep center but they didn't use that one. I'm not making allegations but I do know how to connect dots.

Anyway, I told the sleep study receptionist that I wouldn't reschedule a test because by that time I already had my approval letter and I still didn't see a reason for it. I went to see the surgeon yesterday and basically told her I don't see why I need another sleep study. She said that the sleep center never gave her my report but nonetheless it doesn't matter how long I slept as long as I didn't have a bunch of episodes.

Today, I get a call from the sleep study receptionist again asking if I spoke with the surgeon. I told her I had and she said it doesn't matter how long I slept, as long as I didn't have any desaturation episodes. The receptionst says, "but you only slept 40 minutes." I replied, "well did I stop breathing?" Receptionst: "well ACTUALLY you did."

Okay, stop.

Thank you, receptionist, for confirming my assertion that sleep studies are largely BS and another way for somebody to get paid. It's bad enough that they make people sleep on their back because (and this is a direct quote from the technician), "it will make the apnea happen."

You don't say? So you are running a test on someone wherein you've already decided to skew the results in your (the sleep center's) favor? I'm a stomach sleeper. That's the only way I can sleep. Only way I've ever slept. So if the goal is to procure accurate test results, why are you asking someone to test in a position that goes opposite of their natural sleeping position?

I digress. The receptionist then says that they sent the results to the doctor on June 18th. Okay, let's plot this out. Sleep study on May 16th-ish. They called me the first time around May 22nd trying to get me to do another study. Then, they wait to send the results to my doctor until June 18th. Today, I'm told (by the nurse) that they faxed over the results 3 or 4 minutes before I spoke with the surgeon's nurse. Uhm....WTF is the problem? The truth only has one version of the story.

What concerns me is that if the receptionist is willing to lie to me about me, who knows what they are going to put in my report to the physician.

I didn't tell her that I never slept. I consider that my big gun. I'm not going to whip it out until it's time to. Needless to say, this has left me with a sour taste in my mouth about the whole thing. Either way, I talked to my doctor's nurse after my exchange with the receptionist and I told her that under no cir****tances are they to send me back to that sleep center. She said it's no problem but we'll see.

One of my issues that I feel that a physician needs to explain the reasoning behind the tests they order. If my insurance doesn't need it, why (in the physician's own words) am I taking one? The surgeon's insurance coordinator tried to explain but it was so pitiful she gave up midway and just suggested I talk directly to the doctor. Secondly, don't lie. Don't make up a disease if there isn't one just because _______________________.

In the words, of Phil Collins, it's in the air tonight.

I don't know if I should start looking for another surgeon or what but I'm certainly leaning in that direction.


BTW- Anyone know a good surgeon that takes United Healthcare in the Far North Dallas/Plano area?

YAY!!!........Angenoire!!  I'm so happy for you!!  Congrats on the great report from your doc and the weight loss!  You're on track and doing a great job!  I wish you many more success along your journey!

JJ..................Keep it moving!!.........

Yes........exercise will (and should be) an essential part of your everyday life.  I'm not sure where you are in your wl journey, but for sure know this........  Whatever procedure is chosen, it is not an "end all" for weight issues.  It's not that magic bullet that needs no assistance.  It will take that drive, determination, positive attitude and a total buy-in into the program to make it work for you if you're serious about taking the weight off.  You will need to exercise, take the protein, eat less, drink more water, and have an overall winning attitude.

Yes.......You will indeed need a change of mind and heart to succeed with the surgery.  So start now, and keep it moving!!...........

Just my thoughts.........from a reformed lifelong loser!......

JJ

If you know me you're not surprised by my taste in humor.    


Buying Flowers

A BLONDE and a brunette are walking past a flower shop.

The brunette sees her boyfriend inside and says: "Oh no, my boyfriend is inside buying me flowers again."

The blonde asks: "Why is that so bad?"

The brunette says:"Every time he buys me flowers, he expects something in return and I don't feel like spending the entire weekend with my legs in the air."

The blonde asks:"Why, don't you have a vase?"  



The Docters Cure

A man went to see his docter concerned about a mysterious ring that he had found around the tip of his penis.

The docter looked him over and immediatly gave him a lotion to rub around the infected spot and told him to come and see him in the morning.

The man come back in joy saying that the ring around the tip of his penis had all but disapeared like it was a miracle.

He curiously asked the docter, the lotion you gave me is it some new wonder drug?

The docter replied chuckling, no my good friend it was lipstick remover.


50 Cents

After many months of trying to make ends meet, a couple decided that the only way they were going to get any extra cash was to have the old lady start hooking.

Early the next morning the wife came home looking very haggard and worn out. The husband guiltily asked how she did, to which the wife replied that she earned two hundred dollars and 50 cents.

“That’s great!“ the husband replies. “But who gave you the 50 cents?"

“Everybody!" replied the wife.


http://www.activejokes.com/cat.php?cn=14  


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Thanks for your response I'm gonna set a schedule to get on the scale because getting on it everyday is driving me crazy