Question re: Mother

My mother has a BMI of over 70. She was recently put in an assisted living center because she fell and can't walk by herself now. She has a HUGE panni/apron that goes below her knees that causes all sorts of problems and falls between her legs making it hard to walk. Her nursing home refuses to give her a sleep apnea test which is what the state insurance requires before they put her on the WLS list for consideration. If she could just get SOME of the weight off she could start to try to walk again and thus lose weight and qualify for WLS.

So my questions for you folks are: has anyone had their panni removed PRIOR to WLS to help w/ mobility, etc? If so, did it cost more than non-obese people because of the extreme weight of the panni?  Did it help?

THanks so much!

Cass
(RNY 11/2007, BMI 20.3, Lower Body Lift - 4/2/2009)

Hi Cass,

Not sure about the surgery question.  However, how can the nursing home your mom is in refuse to do a sleep apnea test?  If a dr orders it they cannot refuse to do it.  The sleep apnea test can be beneficial whether she has WLS or not.  If she is that heavy, her breathing could easily be compromised.  I would definitely talk to someone about getting the sleep apnea test done for her!!

Good luck to you and your mom

Caroline

Caroline,

The problem getting the test is the doctor (who only visits once a week or two weeks) and the nurses say "sleep apnea test is not our concern" and refuse to order it. Yes, that is completely unacceptable answer, I agree, Unfortunately it is the only facility in the region with 1) bariatric facilities - lifts, beds, etc that can handle her and 2) has space for her. I'm stationed in Germany or I would so be throwing a fit in person but it's like beating my head against the wall. I was seriously considering self-paying for her panni removal in hopes that she can rehab enough to get the hell outta that place!!!  

Cass

 hi... first of all sorry ur mom is having such a hard time... an i know how hard it is on u worrying about her.. i've been there.. i seen on BIG MEDICINE (show on Discovery channel.) them remove the panni of a 800+lb guy... before wls to make it easier for him to walk so when he had surgery  few months later lesss risks etc.. so i know its done.. think that was done in Tx not sure.. I hope ur mom gets back on the road to a healthy life style soon..  will send positive vibes ur way.. hugs...

I'm sorry about your mom.
My bmi is 58 and also have a panni/apron problem. It goes to not quite mid thigh.  The excercise person where I'm having my surgey says I can't do anything until after I have my surgery.
As far as the nursing home refusing to give your mother the sleep apnea test is just plain wrong. May I make a suggestion to you?  Get either your state or federal congressman/senator involved. Call them up and explain the situation to them. This is a quality of live issue. If one person is having an medical related issue with a nursing home, you know that others are having issues also.  No Nursing home wants government officials butting in. It's not like the nursing home is doing the test themselves.  The person goes to a sleep clinic run by a pulminologist specializing in sleep disorders..  And it's usually done at a hospital not at the nursing home.
I hope this helps.  I'm sorry that I was rambling on.

Each nursing home has a patient advocate - start there.  If no results you can call the ombudsman for the state..... and raise heck, all kinds of heck to get the care she needs. 

The test would probably have to be done in another facility and they may not want to move her for the test --- but it should be done.

Good luck to you!

I have seent he panni removed a few times before WLS to get some mobility back. The longer she doesn't walk the more likely it is she will not walk for a long time. SHe can get the panni done w/o ever having WLS if its effects her mobility adn it sounds like it will help.
As for the sleep study why do you need the facility to get it done, why try to get it done without their help? It may be more work but sometime you need to just get it done everyone adn everything else be damned.