:roll:Wow, who knew that South Beach works?? Lots of folks obviously. I have a surgery date with Dr. Ortiz in Mexico on May 23rd, and I decided that I would get a jump start on my weight loss (so that the last two weeks isn't so horrifying!). I started South Beach last weekend, and I have actually lost 5 lbs! Yay!

Thanks to all on this forum for all your collective wisdom!

Oh by the way - for anyone who travelled with their CPAP machine...did you take it on the plane as your carry-on or did you pack it in your luggage?

Cheers,

Laura

I traveled to Mexico in January on vacation. I traveled with Transat, and I took my cpap machine in its case and another carry on. As long as the case is under the size restrictions that you carrier has you will be fine. The total weight of the 2 bags should also be under the carry one limit.

good luck,

Smiley

What the heck is a cpap machine?

A cpap machine is for sleep apnea. In case you don't know what sleep apnea is, it is a sleeping disorder. Generally you stop breathing when you sleep. If you have every woken your self up gasping for air, you got it. The machine is worn while you sleep and forces air into you so keep breathing. Since getting mine, I have the best sleep in my life. I use to wake tired, now every night is a great night's sleep! Hope this clarifies it for you.

Smiley

Thank you Smiley, I sure have a lot to learn.

Hi. I packed my cpap machine in my checked luggage so I didn't have to carry it. No problem anywheres except in Puerto Vallarta on my return home where they do a hand search of all your checked bags. They had to take it all out and have a good look. Everything was fine, just hard to get it all packed back into my overstuffed suitcase!!!

Sharebarre

Glad to hear nothing happened to your machine the way they handle checked luggage. My husbands bag looked like it went through a war in 4 short hours. They really don't care if they run over it with the plane. I never pack anything breakable in my checked luggage. You were very lucky. CPAP machines are very expensive as you know, think twice before packing it with you checked luggage next time. Did everything else go ok?

Thanks smiley I never thought of the risk at the time!! Everything went great and the best news is that I had only rented the machine as I had my lapband surgery shortly after I started using the CPAP so I was hoping not to need the machine for long. Fortunately for me, it has been 2 months and I no longer have sleep apnea and have been able to return the dreaded machine to the company! I cnsidered the savings of not having to buy an expensive CPAP as jusstification for spending the money on the lap band. Worked out well by my books! Take care

Sharebarre

Must be nice to be off the cpap. I still have a lot of weight to go before I think I can rid of the machine. I have had it now for about 5 years, do have to admit I sleep way better with it than I had in years. So I am not sure I will ever get rid of it. Glad to see everything went well for you with your surgery. talk soon.

Lil :clap2:

I've been on CPAP for about 4 yrs now and I absolutely LOOOOOOVE it. I'm not sure if my sleep apnea will "go away" once I've lost all the weight; the doc told me it may or may not. There are still plenty of people who have apnea who aren't overweight. I hope it goes away because I know it will be better for my health. But if I have to stop using my CPAP, I will miss it like craaaaazy!!!!! I take it with me wherever I go, even if I'm only gone for one night!

Hi Yoda:

I have to admit I can't sleep without my cpap either. I take it everywhere too! We should start a survey of how many people have a cpap and how many people really want to get rid of it if they could. I don't know if I could.

Smiley