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From what my doctor said, losing weight helps or even cures most cases of sleep apnea. It all really depends on why you have sleep apnea. Is it strictly weight related or is there a defect with your airway? To give an example, I was diagnosed with sleep apnea, machine set at 17 (high). I had a rough preop period for unrelated reasons (they found a mass in my stomach during first preop tests on 2010, nothing to worry about thankfully!) so through the time I waited for surgery, I worked and worked and actually lost 76 pounds. I will tell you that I sleep wonderful now. I haven't had a second sleep study and I no longer sleep with cpap which are huge no-no's. Sleep apnea doctor told me with every 20 pound weight loss, you need a new study. I'm being rebellious I guess but I do not recommend it! Call your sleep apnea doctor, let them know about your journey and see what point you should come in for another sleep study. Congratulations and best of luck to you!

I am a self pay (Approx. $ 15,000), and yes, I went through my process a lot quicker - hence the self pay. While I agree that a lot of it can have to do with being educated and having the right information, it often has to do with who is giving you that the right information. My information was clear, expectations were set, and my manual for post op has been my guide on how to move through the days after post operation. While I am only approx. 1 week out personally, I know exactly what to expect (except my pain shoulder that finally subsided), and what the surgeon's dietitian and the surgeon informed me of is exactly what is happening. And, being a self pay often has to do with the insurance just not wanting to pay because you are not over weight enough - going through insurance, in my opinion, messes with your head as often if not because they have they so many rules, and now the doctor is working on their guidelines which can at times be a disservice to the patient. Being a self pay makes it ALL about what is desired and discussed between the surgeon and the PT. I think what MW1973 is saying should be validated here - what she is saying is (and MW1973, correct me if I am wrong): The lap-band is a tool, and it has been "installed" to create a new smaller pouch above the regular the stomach. That sends a message a lot sooner to the brain that you are full, and you stop eating (you feel pressure, perhaps even throw up if you don't chew your food enough or you eat too much for it to fit the new pouch). But, that restriction only happens if the surgeon tightens the band aggressively enough. In other words, if MW1973's surgeon barely tightens the band, then she is essentially right that she is still feeling hungry and IF she has to fight the hunger and urges as she did before surgery, then it is true - the band would essentially be useless. I did not read anywhere that she is expecting all her weight to be gone already. I think she is saying: "I went through all of this to still feel the way I felt before surgery?" If so, it is entirely possible she chose a surgeon who is not very aggressive with the fills, or is not listening. Having only had my band since Monday, I can say that my surgeon was right on from the get go - I can feel when I have had enough to eat, and yesterday when I was stressed I ate too much tuna. It had nowhere to go and I ended up vomiting. Perfect indicator that my band was tightening appropriately from the beginning. MW1973 - you know what I would do? Perhaps find another surgeon for fills and find out how much fill you truly have in your band. I think it is worth it and then evaluate from there.

Wow, the sad thing here is that gall stones can be flushed from the body, naturally.

Hi Kristalynn: I have BCBSNC also. Did everything they asked for and was denied last summer bcause they said my HBP was not considered a comorbidity since it was under controll. I appealed with the help of NC dept of Justice.....they are great. They helped me thru the appeal and I was approved in March. I am planning to have the surgery in July when I get some time off. They did not specifically ask for a 6 month nutrition class. I did have to see a nutritionist and, psycologist, pulmonologist, cardiologist.....also needed to show diets from the past 2 years showing how I tried to lose the weight (WW, Jenny Craig, etc). My primary dr sent them a log of my weight progress for the past 2 years also. Once they get everything sent to them from your weight loss dr they either approve or deny very quickly. Good Luck & don't hesitate to appeal if necessary.

GNC's totally lean premade shakes are SO good!! I wish I would have tried it before I bought so many Atkins shakes! These are the kind of shakes you really look forard to having!! They say "new" on the bottle but I don't know how new they really are. 25 grams of Protein 170 calories 24 Vitamins & minerals Lactose Free I tried the Swiss Choc. and I highly recommend it. I went to GNC and just got 1 bottle to try out. They are a little pricey but worth it!

Measure yourself, maybe you're losing inches. Sadly weight-loss isn't always linear/constant. It's up and down all the time. Keep your head up!

My surgery date is set for June 14th! I am super exicted! I have to start clear liquids on June 1....which I am very nervous about. Wish me luck!

I'm scheduled for June 8 too! We will have to follow up and see how each of us is doing! I'm a self pay, so this is such a big commitment, but I can't wait. I think about it so often, I really can't wait to start this new life.

MsTheBandit, Yay for June 20!!!!! I have to have 2 weeks of 2 Protein shakes per day plus 1 low fat/low carb meal per day....the doctor's office gave me suggested guidelines on what to eat. I am also going to see a separate nutritionist right before I start the "diet"....thankfully I don't have to have the all clear liquid diet!!! I've started to incorporate 5 Protein Shakes per week, either with skim milk or coconut milk....I also just bought a carton of soymilk to see how that tastes.....in the process of trying several different brands of protein shakes to see what I like best. I will be having 2 last meals, probably before I start the diet.... one will be to go to this fancy Brazilian steakhouse that i LOVE, but it costs like $60 per person but you go and get meat DRUNK there!! It's one of those "only go there once in a blue moon" kind of places!!! the other will be to a newly-found seafood place called The Boiling Crab that sells boiled seafood (shrimp, crawfish, and crab) by the pound and it is so freaking good!!! Those will be my 2 "LAST MEALS" and I can't wait to go!!! I have a feeling it won't be worth it to go to either place after I've been banded....will cost too much for me to eat so little. How about you???? Found anything you like so far for the liquids???? kristi

Not banded yet, but i LOVE LOVE your honesty and your posts! I have noticed from lurking that some of these bandsters are plain mean and snippy when it comes to giving advice. As a future bander I want an environment where i can say darn i did this without fear of being crucified for my slip up.....Are we NOT all here to help each other get through this? /my 2cents