singledad167

That does seem like a long time before the next info session. Any other docs in your area that you might go to? Also, patience is a virue here. I started my journey to lap band in march, and I'm just finally getting to the point where I can schedule surgery. Then, after surgery you have to be fully healed to start getting filled. Remember, this is a process, not an event, and this will give us time to prepare and practice for the lifestyle changes we'll have to make. I know it's difficult, but we'll get there. As confucious says, "The Ox is Slow, but the Earth is Patient". Not sure what that means, but I think it has something to do with persiverence.

Thanks Nance, nice to hear such a detailed description, especially for those of us waiting to get banded. Please give us an update tommorow, and congrats on your pre op success, and getting throught the surgery.

My ENT suggested my sleep study (although I knew I already had OSA) even when I was at my ideal weight. They woke me up because I was so bad, and cpap'ed me and did a split study. Before the cpap I had 108 events/hour got as low as 67% o2 and went 70 sec one time without breathing. I feel a world better since getting a cpap. After doing alot of reading on another site I fought really hard to get the auto cpap fully data capable. However, I never heard back, or have asked to come back for a follow up with my ENT. I thought of buying my own card reader and software so I could look at it myself, but should I be going to see another doc?

Hi Tamara, ya the sleep study stinks. Please don't let that discourage you. The CPAP you get in your home is much different. Make sure you ask your doc to write a script for a full auto cpap with humidifier, and data capbable. Check to make sure your insurance covers it, because it is more. Also, retronics makes one with what's called c-flex that reduces the pressure when you breath out so it makes it easier to breath. You may run into resistance where ever you go to get your cpap. They don't have as much as a markup than the cheap models, and they are more difficult to setup, so they'll try to push junk on you. Go to the links posted earlier, and get all the info before getting your unit. Once you roll off the lot with it, it's your's and the insurance wont pay for another one.

We'll from one crazy to another welcome. I'm fairly new also, don't have a surgery date yet, but I should be getting close. Any change is scary, but this is for the best. Congrats on your decision.

You're very pretty, and have incredible eyes. It could be confidence, but guys don't care much if your shy, unless you're really shy and make it hard to apporach. Younger guys also could lack confidence in approaching you were older men (ie me) don't have that as much. Try being a little more aggressive (not too much) and open. Trust me, I would be hitting on you, young, old or otherwise!

I have missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. On 36 occasions I have been entrusted to take the game winning shot... and missed. And I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why... I succeed. ~Michael Jordan

I have those concerns also, I was a Div1 tennis player, never had a problem with weight before but then after some traumatic life events, and becoming a single father eight years ago, I've since put on 100 pounds. I cannot stand it anymore and have decided to get banded. I have a dream of competing in a triathalon one day, and I"m concerned about how the band will do not only staying hydrated but also if it could cause it to slip.

Soon to be another....

Actually, my insurance is not a problem. It's the surgeon that requires the sleep study, the pshyc eval, and my personal docs ok. Only thing my insurance requires is that you have a bmi over 40, or over 35 and a weight related health issue. Then it's 90/10 up to 1000.00 then 100% after that.

Not sure what mask you're using, but I have the Swift II and it's really not bad at all. I also heard alot of people say they like the Opti life.

We'll Willow, I appreciate your advice, but my concern was more than just people knowing I'm fat thank you very much. It's my decision whether or not to tell anyone or everyone. Good for you that you shouted it out to the world, not everyone feels the same. My trust, my personal information was violated. What ever decision I will make will certainly not be decided whether of not the medical community will find me endearing or not.

Dr. Schuhknecht from Lakeland hospital. He used to be in Detroit and has done over 4000 gastric bypass, and 700 lapbands. Good luck with the ins, I hope all goes well.

I'm hurt, angry, and upset right now. I know what she did was not only immoral, unprofessional, but it was also illegal. I called my sister, and without giving details and of course making myself the third person, she was horrified, and told me that ANYONE who has access to personal health information is required by law to sign a confideniality agreement and sharing that information is illegal. After looking up my rights under the HIPPA Federal laws, I have a case if I want to pursue it. I'm not going to to anyting till I calm down.

I really don't think so, I've been EXTREMLY private about it, and she's the one that awnsered the phone to take the appt, and I was embarssed to say what it was for.

I'm still going through with the surgery, this wont stop me, but I wasn't ready to share it with the whole world. I'm just confused on what my next step is. She's a single mother herself, and if I call the docs office, she'll most likely be fired, and even could be in legal trouble. On the other hand, she cannot just talk about patients with other people.

Doesn't look like I'm going to have much of a choice on the matter. I'm not even banded yet, I have told no one in my family, but a church member who works at the doctors office told another church member and so on. I got a call out of the blue from a co worker, who knows someone from church, and asked me when I was having my surgery! I realize that patient information is private, and not for public gossip, and I undestand how much trouble I can get her in. I won't even go back to church because it's very embarassing. I'm not sure what I'm going to do right now. I'm very upset!

I just got a call from a friend and the first words were, "I hear you're getting weight loss surgery". First, I've told NO ONE, not even my own mother knows yet that I'm going to get banned. I just told this friend, that I was thinking about it, and where did she hear it from. She told me someone from church. We'll, a woman from church also works at my docs office where I made and appointment to get approval. This could be the ONLY place she found out. I'm not a doctor, but the last I heard is patient information is private, not for public gossip. In addition there's this little Federal Law called HIPPA. Not only could I have her fired, I could bring legal charges against her, and the medical office. I don't think I can even show my face at church with everyone staring at me. I so angry right now I'm ready to sue the docs office and have them pay for my surgery!!! Now what do I do?

First, 5 hours of sleep is not nearly enough. But you do sound like you have symptoms of sleep apnea. To get tested, and to get on a cpap (a machinec that gives postive air pressure) to keep your airways open can really help with your weight loss also. I got one, and really it changed my life. No longer do I want to nap all the time, when I do sleep it's very productive. Plus sleep apnea can be dangerous. Here's another sight with tons of great info. Sleep Apnea Support Forum Index

Hi, I'm sorry, don't know much about the insurance requirements, but I'm also from MI and just wondering what doctor you're using.

Ok, I have gone to the seminar, I have quit smoking, I have had a sleep study (sever apenea 108 events/hr) and now I'm on a cpap, I have just went through and got my psych review, and I have an appoint with my doc to get his approval. He's the one I worry about the most. He's 45, looks like he's 25, and he's an marathon runner. He believes in all natural everything. I would hate to have come this far and get shot down by him. I should go to some rent a quack and just get it done, but he's been my doc for some time, and I do like him, and want to keep him. Anyway, keep me fingers crossed. Has anyone ever heard of their doctor turning them down, or not writing a letter of approval?

Congrats Molly on your 10 year smobrity. I went through the American Lung assocation program before Chantix. Now I am a cessation consoler with ALA and with the combo of Chantix, Education, and NRT were hiting 80% smoke free for a year. Were really getting this down to a science, but it's still hard, and it's a great accomplishment.

Wow, 3-5 years!! Looks like the US is going to socialized health care, and it scares me. I'm trying to get everything in now before it changes. I've always been healthy, in good shape and have always been very active even as a former smoker. Seems like I went through a series of life events, a bad marriage (from day one) then a nasty divorce, and alot of court battles to first see my son, then attempt to get custody, then the straw that broke the camels back I quit smoking. Over the last 7-8 years I put on about 100 lbs. I really thought when I quit smoking, I would become even more active, but it's been just the opposite, I've really become less. I don't even play tennis any longer and I did that my entire life, or it seems so. I'm not sure what keeps me from commiting, but I'm the type of person that really had to be educated on the entire process to go ahead. I do understand this is not a quick fix, just another tool to aid to a new lifestyle. Just like the patch was to quick smoking. It was not a silver bullet, but it did assist me to make that lifestyle change. Right now I'm trying to deal with severe sleep apena since I put on this extra weight. After that, I'll be looking much closer at getting banded.

Hi Cristi, I'm new here also. Not sure really how I got here, I'm now 100 lbs over weight, and my life has changed and not for the better. Up till about 8 years ago I was pretty fit. I loved playing tennis, going on moutain bike runs, and pretty much anything physical. I got into a really bad marriage, which gave me my wonderful son however. Since then I got divorced, quit smoking (two years now) but put on so much weight, I don't even play tennis any longer. I really want my life back now, and I want to be there for my son, that's one of the main reasons I quit smoking. So looks like were both on an adventure! Good luck, and keep us posted.

After reading alot in here, my insurance is a dream. I called and asked them what I needed to qualify, they said a BMI over 40, or 35 with weight related problems. It covers 90% up to $650.00 out of pocket, then 100% after that, and 100% of all follow ups. I had a sleep study recently on my own volition and it was not good either. They stopped my study and put me on a cpap. Without pap I had 179 obstructive events in 1:55 min or 108/hour. With CPapa I had 30 in 4 hours 55 min. Felt like the best night sleep I had in a long time. Cannot wait to get mine, then get banded. Sorry for your experience, but the juice will be worth the squeeze in the long run. Just keep a positive attitude. Good luck...