PuraVida37

I am curious about people's sleep study experiences. Was it easy to fall asleep? What was your room like? How bad were the electrodes/sensors/etc.? Please share your good/bad experience! And your outcome. Did you have apnea and need a CPAP? Thanks!!

I had my sleep study last night and wanted to report in my experience. It was just fine!! I took an exercise class at the local gym around lunch time so I was good and tired when I got there. I brought my comfy PJs, and brought a magazine and book but didn't even read them. I got there and was greeted by the friendliest technician, who chatted with me and asked medical questions while she put the sensors in (takes about 30-45 min). All my wires went behind me, and I had my hair in a bun so I didn't feel anything pulling or in my way. Then I got into bed and watched TV for awhile. When I started to feel sleepy it was 10, which coincided with lights out. Fine. I had some irritation from the breathing sensor (looks like an oxygen line) but after a while it was fine. Also I am a side sleeper, but positioned the pillows just right to stay face up. At 1am when I woke up by myself, the tech came in and let me have a potty break (doing that with wires attached was a little challenging, but not bad), and then put a cpap over my nose. She gave me the choice of a nose only, or one for mouth and nose. I chose the nose one, and it was definitely weird to get used to, but not bad if you keep your mouth shut. The machine itself was silent. I snuggled back in bed and off to sleep again. I woke up here and there, but only for a couple minutes and then slept fine. When it was morning, she woke me up, de-sensor-ized me and I took a shower. The goop: she recommended wetting hair first with hottest Water you can stand, then use your hands first with water to get it out, then use conditioner, then go back and shampoo and condition one more time. Worked fine on my curly shoulder length hair. My complaint was the itty bitty towel I got to dry off. I definitely recommend bringing your own towel and washcloth/soap. My room had nothing. Then they gave us a voucher for Breakfast in the employee cafeteria, and although there were lots of yummy things, I stuck to 1 scrambled egg and some greek yogurt. I get my results on the 12th. Overall, I had a fine time. I think it all depends on a few factors: the room (mine was a fairly nice bed with a quiet set up, the technician (mine was awesome and made me feel very at ease), and how flexible in temperament you are (I could probably sleep on a rock if I had to, and doctors/hospitals don't scare me that much).

Good luck!

Maceterious, you sound like you went through with flying colors! Congratulations! Thank you for sharing your day with us. Please keep us posted on how you are doing. Everyone posts take gas x for the gas pain, and keep moving, like you have been. Speedy recovery!

I like the term "candy sober"! I have been sugar sober for over a month and hope to be forever!! Don't get down on yourself for making a couple mistakes, just get back on track in the gym and eat better. You're doing well, so keep it up!

Is it painful?

Just curious from a pre-bander: is it little burps or belchy burps?

Dmh102, what is the hold up on getting you a date? Fee139, good luck and please check in as soon as you can so we know you made it through safely. I'm sure you'll be up and around in no time! My friend is a coach and she said that one of her girls had laproscopic surgery and was playing again in 2 weeks. I hope I am able to recover quickly too. (But I know to take it slow!)

Donna, I hope you can get used to it (are you sure if you have apnea or not?). I talked to the pulmonologist because my husband definitely has sleep apnea and refuses to use his machine. The doc said that if you have apnea, you won't feel the damage until 20 years down the road until after it as affected your heart and other organs. The damage is irreversible. I'm going tomorrow night for the sleep study. I was told to "be exhausted" when I come, so I am planning to workout hard tomorrow morning, then run errands all day with my daughter, then workout again before I check in at 7:30pm. I'll bring a really boring magazine with me that I've been saving. lol Thanks again for everyone's posts. You are the reason support group websites help!

How are we doing folks? Any concerns/doubts/victories to share? You think for a group in the verge of banding we would be more talkative! Are any of you going to write letters to children or to yourself before surgery? I am thinking of writing one to my little girl, a just in case one telling her how much i love her and why I am pursuing this. And maybe one to myself to read when things get hard.

Eat some protein, snuggle into bed and sleep it off!!!

This is actually something I am looking forward to--not having to decide what to make for dinner. I hate that!! I got Bariatric Advantage chocolate, and I love it. It's SO much better than the protein shakes I was having (Unsweetened Choco Almond Milk + Jay Robb Whey in Vanilla). Good luck to us all!!! We can do it! Think of how much weight we'll lose before our bands are even on!

(Keep in mind I am pre band, so I am just commenting from that perspective.) Did you eat any sugar or carbs? That throws me off a stint of good eating every time. Are you eating Protein first? Then veg, then other stuff. That's working for me. I am doing the low carb (under 100 per day) diet and doing just fine that way. If I were you, I'd go see the nutritionist or call your doctor. PS If you do go see a therapist, be picky. I had one once that didn't understand my food addiction and quickly told me to "just go to Overeaters Anonymous"...that was her only advice. (PPS Already been there, done that.) Ugh!! If they don't want to work on your issues, then move on to one that will help you.

Kerry, ((((sending virtual hug))) First, be hopeful. It feels a lot better to be hopeful than to live in dispair. I lost my mother last summer after a long drawn out terminal illness. Something that comforted us all was talking to her a lot. Asking about as many memories as possible (and record them--I wish I had, because that is what I miss the most, her voice! I even used to call up her cell phone just to hear her voice until her contract ran out). Think of as many fun memories as you can and talk about them, not just with Grandma, but everyone in the family. Even as Mom was on her deathbed, we sat around her and laughed and cried. When I was alone with her, I asked Mom about the day I was born, she talked for 2 hours!! She loved talking about it. Ask about what her proudest moment in life was, what she is most proud of about her kids, things like that. Surround her with love. In the month we had left with Mom, we laughed, cried, said everything we needed to say. Don't hold anything back because it needs to be said. Use this time wisely. Tell her what she means to you. When you feel like you need comfort, call your family, call a friend, go for a run, or just plain cry. It's ok to cry. It's part of being human. It's something we food addicts avoid--emotions. We need to learn to handle them---which means not stuffing them down. It's ok to let them out. PS One thing my mother craved was the human touch. Hug your grandmother, hold her hand, massage her feet! Enjoy every moment you can with her. I wish you and your family the best.

Much healthier! Congratulations!

You sound very prepared!!! I have been reading up on what to take to the hospital---make sure you have chapstick! Everyone seems to think it's vital! lol Good luck!

Does Soma have pluz size bras in store or is it only for skinny minis? I wear a 40D Lane Bryant bra (which I love the fit) but it shows my headlights a little too much. After seeing the Soma videos, I'd love to go in and try them out, but I don't want to waste my time if they only carry regular sizes. thx.

I have been SO good about following all the rules on my low carb diet leading up to the pre-op diet next week. After 3 weeks I've lost 20 lbs and have had little hunger issues. But I am SO hungry today!!!! It's not even dinner time yet and I'm up to my 1200 calories and 90 of 100 carbs. I've tried drinking Water, Crystal Light, tea, but still I'm ravenous. So I got some turkey and am trying to eat Protein. Any one else feeling like this? THIS is why I need the band!!!

i am in the same boat, a week ahead of you. I'm really scared about missing potentially a week of school. Right now I'm scheduled for a Monday, but I'm hoping the doc can fit me in on the Friday before so I have the weekend. What level do you teach? I'm HS and the week I chose was Homecoming, and everyone knows the kids don't pay attention that week anyway. ha ha My doc seems to think 4-5 days recovery is all I will need. I hope he is right!!!

Oh wow! I'm glad you're doing better and will still get to follow your plan. Wishing you continued recovery!

I went to another website's forums as a way to more inform myself about Lap Band. I am excited about my new life. But all I seemed to find was negative stories about people whose lap band caused major complications and who later needed revision surgeries. Many did not recommend the band. It is my understanding that the older bands caused more problems than the new ones, and that the new ones are much better. Is this true? I know every surgery has risks, but after reading these stories I am freaked out and nervous that once I am banded I may develop one of these complications. I read something that said 6 out of every 10 lap bander gets some kind of revision/complication surgery. Is that right? I was super resolved about my decision to get a lap band (hopefully at the end of Sept.) but I had a flashing thought of well, maybe I should just do a liquid diet instead (even though I would likely end up gaining it all back some day). Please, those of you who have been there done that set me straight. Thanks.

PS Do not tell your coaches about LB, high school teachers are the biggest gossipers ever. Trust me, I am one. Lol

Get your doc to write you a note that says you must be able to carry water with you. Coaches must comply. Simple as that. Good luck!

How are you doing today, Sibe?

Irish, I was so looking forward to being a Sept buddy with you. I'm sorry they denied you. That is really stupid. Can't your surgeon's office appeal for you?