Hello All,

I am new to the bama forum, I am Michelle and I live in Anniston. I am looking to have lap band surg. probably in May with Dr. Schmitt in Birmingham. I have been to the free seminar, going to the support group meeting this Sat. for Lap Band, and I have my first appt. with Dr. Schmitt April 10th. I have Federal BC/BS which appears to be very different from regular bc/bs of alabama regarding the requirements.

I would appreciate any suggestions or advice as I begin this journey. Would love to hear from anyone who has used Dr. Schmitt or Dr. Miles too.

:biggrin2: Michelle

How have you done with the band so far? Do you use the cpap at night when you sleep and because you were diagnosed with sleep apnea did the surgeon require you to stay over night or did you get to go home the same day?

Thanks for the great information it really helps

Michelle

I haven't been banded yet, Michelle. Should be sometime in May!! Anyway, a CPAP was prescribed and you have to use it for two weeks. It has a data card in it and you send it back to them. You have to have an average of six hours logged for seven days. After that I put the ()&$%(*& back in it's case in the closet, where it will stay until surgery (required for surgery). If I slept on my back I would probably use it, because it is comforting to know you're breathing. But, I sleep on my stomach, so it's kind of awkward and I don't sleep well with it.

I haven't been banded yet, Michelle. Should be sometime in May!! Anyway, a CPAP was prescribed and you have to use it for two weeks. It has a data card in it and you send it back to them. You have to have an average of six hours logged for seven days. After that I put the ()&$%(*& back in it's case in the closet, where it will stay until surgery (required for surgery). If I slept on my back I would probably use it, because it is comforting to know you're breathing. But, I sleep on my stomach, so it's kind of awkward and I don't sleep well with it.

I use my cpap as a night light... I do love the ambiance that the little blue lights give! Like you I HATE that thing and have not used it since I turned the data card in. I am glad I am not the only one.

I never thought that I had a sleeping problem either, but the test showed I had mild sleep apnea and I was prescribed a CPAP....and I never used it past the first 30min on the first night. I did not have a clue that it had a data card in it! I almost had a heart attack the first time I heard someone talk about one of those and really got lucky that my sleep doctor did not require me to bring it in or anything at all. I really think my guy was kinda a quack to tell the truth lol. For example, I kept telling him Dr. Schmitt required him (the sleep dr.) to write a letter saying I had been evaluated for sleep apnea and was being compliant with prescribed treatment.....buy the sleep doc just kept sending the results of the sleep study, with no letter or comments. Thank goodness that his receptionist took pity on me the 4th time that happened and made sure it was handled!

2. I only use an urgent care clinic if I get sick, I havent had a "family doc" in 10 years or more. I just hope he will accept the records from a clinic. Im not sure how this will if you have a letter from a primary care doctor.

Michelle,

I was in the same boat. I very rarely get sick and have always just went to an urgent care....this was not a problem, in fact, they didnt request past records.

As far as getting a letter from a PCP stating that I was fit for surgery, I just found a doctor that was accepting new patients, went there and explained my situation and that I would like him to be my PCP from here on out. He didnt have a problem with that, just said that in order to write the letter he would have to do a physical exam and some blood work in order to do so. He even worked with me on how to bill it so that the needed test were covered by ins. If your interested, the guy I saw is Dr. Plotka at Phoenix Urgent Care.....

Hi, I'm new here and just wanted to say I was banded on 3/3/08 in Huntsville by Dr. K. Todd Foreman. I can't say enough wonderful things about him. He is patient, caring, and a wonderful surgeon. I'm very glad I didn't make the trip to Birmingham, even though my daughter lives there! Any other Huntsville 'Bandsters' out there? Do you go to any local support groups? I'm looking for one, but so far have found groups comprised completely of gastric by-pass patients.

does the data card record the cpap machine being "used" such as just being on or does it actually record the activity of breathing while you sleep?

Michelle

It records time used, not time on. In other words, you can't turn it on and walk away.