beachgurl84

My aunt told me one time "Why don't you just lose 30 pounds!" Like, DUH! Why didn't I think of that?!?

Once you get used to the cpap, you will sleep much better with it. Experiment with the humidity and different masks too, that could be why you're not sleeping so well with it. I had a sleep study a few years ago and they told me I stopped breathing an average of 56 times an hour. But my sleep apnea isn't just caused from being overweight. Once I got used to it, I realized I had been sleeping horribly my whole life. I don't know about other machines, but mine has a setting where you can ease up to full pressure. Starts soft then works it's way up over an amount of time you designate. That helped when I first started using it. And I had to go through 3 different styles of masks before I was comfortable. AND.......I whined plenty too at the time Good Luck

Vspeck, I am just starting the process too but I have insurance that will cover my surgery. I am doing the sleeve. Just wanted to point out something as you decide on which procedure you want. My surgeon's office told me the band is slowly being phased out. It doesn't have as much of a success rate and it can have more post-op complications than the sleeve. If you're paying for this on your own, make sure you consider the cost of all the post op care and maintenance requirements. The band requires monthly follow up visits for adjustment for a long time so you'll have those dr's visits to pay for. Also, if any complications such as slipping occurs, you'll have to pay out of pocket for the surgery to fix it. Of course, there really aren't many studies on any long term WLS results so all this info is basically what they know from like the last 20 years. When you meet with your surgeon they'll help you decide what's the best path for you. Good luck, hope to see you around!

I'm just starting the 6 month program required by my insurance (BCBS NC). I am currently working in PA but I live in NC. I'll be in PA through the end of this year and into 2015. Because of work and the travel I have to do, this is the best opportunity for me to have surgery because this is the longest I'll be in one place. My surgeon's office is aware of the fact that I will not be here long post op and I will be transferring my post op follow up care back to NC for long term. Has anyone else had a situation similar to this? There is a very, very slight possibility work could require me back in NC before my surgery. Has anyone else had their 6 month program in one place and surgery in another? I'm going to talk more about this with my surgeon but I'd like to hear from actual patients as well. The PA hospital I am planning to have my surgery at is a Blue Distinction center for bariatrics and there is one in my home town as well so insurance covers both locations.

I'm just starting my 6 month preop program and I've been wondering something....... After surgery when you're on the restricted diet, and then long term with eating healthier, has anyone noticed a significant change in skin quality? I am currently waging a war with blackheads going on about 20 years now (I'm 29). When I have dieted in the past, I've noticed my skin is much healthier looking. Vibrant actually. Can I expect the same results after the surgery?

powaqqatsi, Before I give my input, please understand I am in the same position as you are. I am just now starting my 6 month program and I have my first "Lifestyle Class" next week. I asked myself the same question you are asking...."what's the point if I still have to diet and exercise?" If you notice, every single diet plan/weight loss program out there comes with the instructions "diet and exercise". So what makes this any different? If you can diet and exercise on your own without the surgery the same as you would with the surgery, what's the point? The question that I finally asked myself provided me with the answer that made me start this journey. That is "if I can get the weight off on my own, why haven't I". So, I can't give you any answers about post op or even preop really as I'm just starting myself. I've read everyone's responses and they are only encouraging me more. We are all responsible for our own actions. I CHOOSE to put the unhealthy food in my mouth. I CHOOSE to buy the junk food at the grocery store KNOWING I will eat it. That's why I'm really looking forward to the LIFESTYLE change that is required with surgery. It will be the most helpful tool I have to change my lifestyle. For someone like me that grew up in the south where eating is our way of celebrating (weddings, funerals, homecoming, church, holidays, birthdays), this is going to be tough. But I look at it this way....... 1. I KNOW I can learn to turn away from unhealthy food if I have the hunger under control. I need a tool to help with hunger. I need to LEARN to turn away from those foods. 2. The surgery is not going to keep my mother from making a sausage and rice casserole after church that's so greasy you don't even need to chew it because it slides right down your throat. It won't stop everyone around me from eating unhealthy. It will HELP me CHOOSE not to join them. 3. I haven't been able to get the weight off on my own for one reason or another. No matter how many diets I try, I have failed (I failed, not the diet) to get my weight off. I have to take responsibility and reflect on things I need to change. The surgery will be my tool to do that. Many people are very successful with the available diets out there like weight watchers, HCG, adkins, Jenny Craig, etc. I am not one of them. I know I haven't answered your question because I am not even close to my surgery. I hope I haven't sounded offensive in any of my thoughts. I just wanted to share with you the reasons I am starting this journey. If you are seriously considering it, but have doubts, ask yourself this.....if you can get the weight off on your own without surgery, why haven't you? I wish you luck in whatever you decide. If you decide the surgery is right for you, I hope to see you around on these forums as we get through this journey. It's going to be tough, but having such a wonderful support group available, and seeing all the successful stories will make it much easier. I KNOW I CAN DO THIS!

I will definitely look into this. After just one phone call with the hospital I am so excited I can't sit still. I want to tell everyone that knows what I'm planning. A blog might be a good way to work out that excitemen without bugging friends and family

I'm doing my happy dance !!!!! Just got off the phone with the hospital. My first official class is Monday, June 16 and my first appt. with the surgeon is July 17. It feels so wonderful to have the process started!!! Can't wait for the rest!

So......I'm about to start my 6 month program required by insurance (BCBS NC). I've been reading through various posts on this website for about a week and the one thing I noticed it lacks is a place for people like me that are just starting. I saw groups for people getting sleeved at the end of this year but nobody is posting there (maybe you don't know it exists?). I've read about do's and don'ts, insurance policies, diets, before and after pics, etc.. It's so much wonderful information to inspire others. I am psyched about the whole process. I know it's going to be a loooooong, hard road, but I'm ready for the challenge. For the first time in the 6 years I've been with my husband (married 8 months ago), I finally broke down and told him how much I weigh. It was possibly the hardest thing I've ever had to do. Of course he knew I was overweight, but with my form I don't always look like I weigh as much as I do. He is being so supportive of my goals. Not that he wants to change me, he just wants me to be happy. I'm hoping those of you that are just starting this process will join me here. I'd like to learn how you feel going to the gym (I'm trying to go, it's so intimidating). Are you making gradual changes to your diet or are you going "cold turkey"? For those of you already sleeved, your stories are a big inspiration. I want to be one of you ASAP!! Thank you for creating this community where I can feel like I'm not alone in this. Everytime I start to doubt whether or not this is the right way to go, I simply get on here and start reading posts. I'm looking forward to this journey and challenging myself to get there.

Is anyone currently considering UPMC?

That sounds great. 6 months does seem like forever but I work full time and I'm a full time student online so I imagine it will be a busy 6 months. Did they wait till you were completely dones with the 6 month program to submit your insurance or do they do it towards the end? I am hoping to have my surgery by Christmas. I'm going to have to do a sleep study during this time too because I already use a c-pap. It's kinda scary knowing how I can't breath at night and thinking about the anastesia, but I know they know what they're doing.

I have BCBS NC platinum 500. I live in NC but I'm working in PA for the year so I'm doing my surgery in PA. I called and spoke to the prior review office, they emailed me the detailed documentation on what they cover for this surgery and what's required. I just went to my first information session last night so I'm starting at the very beginning. In the session last night, they said insurances usually look at your starting weight, so don't worry if you lose weight pre-op. Where are you in the process or have you already had your surgery?

I am in Washington too. Going to Magee tonight for the info session and hoping to get started ASAP. What was the program like at Magee?