Weedwoman

It was a sleep study and severe sleep apnea diagnosis that gave me my life back, about ten years ago. I had become so exhausted that I could only stay awake an hour or two at a time, and any sleep I had was useless to refresh myself. This went on for over a year before diagnosis! I WELCOMED that diagnosis. It's great to have a name and a treatment for what had become my dreary life. When the tech brought a CPAP to my house and demonstrated it, me laying on the couch and feeling incredibly foolish to need this contraption with a mask, humidifier, and tubing, I wondered what was happening to my routine and tried to imagine the changes. I read somewhere that 80% succeed with CPAP and "tolerate" the treatment. And I was bound and determined to be one who succeeded! I was --desperate -- and was willing to tolerate almost anything to improve my life. A few tips: try a meditation or relaxation tape while wearing the mask to fall asleep. Soft music is another alternative. Anything to ease you into a new pattern, and distract you from any discomfort. Consciously doing deep breathing helps too -- and a new nightgown and soft pillows. My machine has gone around the world with me -- Nepal, Europe, England, all over the US and Canada, Equador, Costa Rica... in short, it's a big deal for my life, no big deal to travel with and fit into my life. It basically saved my life, and gave it back to me. Good luck. Weedwoman

Prunes, microwaved with Water and Grand Marnier or Brandy for 4-5 minutes. Five maximum in a serving, daily. Really delicious! Weedwoman

I agree with Telecia. A good sleep doctor/specialist is essential. I've used first CPAP then BIPAP for ten years, and do okay with that and determination, and some medication. Weight loss would help me a lot, but my sleep doc says it doesn't "cure" sleep apnea. Also depends on whether the apnea is obstructional or functional (central nervous system). Good luck. Weedwoman

Hi DMRINK, I'm delighted that you found my post about Medicare and hope it helps you with reimbursement. When I called Medicare, I was told that they cover 80% of the costs. Not sure whether that includes fills and follow-up care, but they would certainly cover any problems that need addressing, including surgeries, always with the appropriate deductible. I'm fortunate to have BlueCross BlueShield Medex 3 through a company, and they pick up where Medicare leaves off, covering Rx and much else, including deductibles. There are several variations of this plan, some for individuals. It's pricey per month, but well worth it if you can afford it. I like the idea of an insurance backup that covers more than medication. BCBS rules are that if Medicare approves a procedure, they will pay what Medicare doesn't pick up. BCBS doesn't rule on the appropriateness of the surgery; Medicare does. This was confirmed by BCBS representative about my proposed surgery. Incidently, you could find it very helpful to start the Medicare enrollment up to three months before age 65. I waited too long and got caught up in paperwork and gaps. You can also enroll in Medicare and ask all your questions with a personal Medicare consultant by phone -- who knew! -- who takes care of the process for you and you only have to deliver key documents like birth certificate, etc. to the local office for copying -- and can take them back home with you. Other options include mail, with the docs returned after they are copied. Medicare must see the originals at least once. Enough for now -- Good luck, and keep me posted on your progress. Weedwoman

Dear Friends, Thank you all for the much needed support and cheering squad. I got past the heart test hurdle -- the docs talked and decided that since I have no symptoms of heart disease and aced the exercise test that we would proceed, even though there were those ambigious fuzzy tests. I will call tomorrow to make apt. with the surgeon, and then with him, to set a date for my band. Sounds a bit like bird banding -- Kat -- I hope all is well with your family now. In 2004 my daughter had her aortic valve replaced just one month after my major abdominal reconstruction -- with the help of friends and angels who showed up just when we most needed them. shortgal -- thanks for your encouragement too. It is different when we are older, but I figure I'm tough and tenacious and will triumph in this challenge too. I'm finding it hard to hold my weight steady and not gain while waiting, noshing, telling myself no more "one last time" -- but I will hang in, tough tenacious and will triumph!! Did I tell you I'm 65 and on Medicare now? when I got that card, I was surprised to feel proud of it, like an achievement. kirajh -- I'm glad to meet you and appreciate your story and support. We dames, or Grande Dames, if one prefers, are a fantastic group and can be there for one another. fat&thrifty -- it's nice to hear from you and wish you well in the journey ahead. In fact, you may be on the road today? For all reading as well as responding, Happy Bright New Year -- with love and celebrations and good work to do ahead. Blessings for us all! Weedwoman surgery sometime in January!!

Kat, You really made my day! I got your link by email, and have had computer problems, so only now got back into this forum. Even doing this is a new thing for me. I've been very computer saavy and use all digital for my photography, but believe it or not, never used a forum until now. I think it will be very important to have a community after getting my band, and thank you thank you for the support. You are expert in something that I just imagine, living the "new life". Great point about the impression of lots of problems with bands, because most of us don't stop and say I just had a very wonderful totally normal day. Good news! the cardiologist called this afternoon and said that "they" have talked and decided that I probably don't have a problem, since I have no symptoms and aced the exercise stress test. It was just that the nuclear imaging was fuzzy, and then the next test was fuzzy, and well, maybe we'd better be cautious and take more tests. Stop. That's done. IF I have heart symptoms, I'll call the cardiologist and we'll check it out then. Whew. It's been a roller-coaster ride for three months now, and I thought I was ready for surgery in October. It's the unreal reality that is still haunting me, wondering what my life will be like, wondering if I will fail, wondering if the meal restrictions will be something I can adopt and accept, wondering if this excess weight is super-glued to my muscles forever, or will I be able to gracefully shed it? It's metaphysical, thinking about losing weight, thinking about where the essential self is located (definately not in big thighs and my belly). So, I can be my same self, with more energy, comfort, and able to wear those clothes from the back of the closet. Rearrange, shuffle, adapt, improve. I'll think about the image of letting go of my extra blankets, no longer needed. I'll thinks of pruning the bushes (a favorite in good weather) back to the elemental essential structure. I'm going back to basics! Again, thank you for the warm welcome and cup of courage, as well as common sense. Stay in touch--

Hi SherryW -- thanks for the welcome. I'm still in process, but did get an okay today about any heart issues. They are just being hypercautious. I'm hoping for a January date, probably with Dr. Schneider. Still trying to wrap my mind around the reality of longterm life with a band. I've read Dr. Jone's book, and lots of other stuff. Still hard to imagine such a change in eating patterns.

BCBS in Mass will cover everything that Medicare does not pick up for me. Medicare will pay 80% and BCBS-MA will pick up the balance. So far so good, but I haven't had my surgery yet. FYI-- a few years ago, when I was pre-65, BCBS-MA denied my big repair surgery for ventral hernia --and I appealed internally and lost (a necessary step) then took them to the state appeal (Office of Patient Protection) which cost me $25 and WON my state appeal. It is decided by an out-of-state physician who is in the same field and neutral. BCBS paid for everything, and I'm thriving after that surgery. Anyone in MA is eligible to use this appeal process. It is very well done, and the website has online track record of prior appeals and outcomes. Persist. The climate is changing rapidly for reimbursement. Try using Medicare info as backup support for your claim, since many companies consider them conservative, and will match the coverage. Good luck!

see my intro just sent to the forum -- it tells a bit of my experiences there recently. Both Dr. Jones and Dr. Schneider have been recommended highly to me by other physicians.

First post. And covered for lapband by Medicare (80%) supplemental insurance (20%). Some perks make up for the arthritis. I'm in process for lapband, and have been three months working my way through a complicated pre-op testing cycle with several frustrating speed bumps. Even though I've "sailed through" (my primary care's description) two major surgeries in past 7 years, plus one minor, the bariatric group is putting me through the wringer about heart and multiple tests, then saying that they can't get a good image because of my weight, 275. Why not proceed and help me lose more weight and have my happy heart, without subjecting me to CTscans, other nuclear tests, and such when no conclusive evidence exists that I actually have a problem??! I worry that they will keep looking until something goes wrong. I've lost 15-20 lbs. pre-op, and am almost losing my nerve after hearing about all the problems with band and digestion post-op from sources in this area. Last thing in the world I want to do is to obsess about food and patterns and follow rigid schedules. Maybe I'm in the wrong place after all. So discouraged that I started crying when talking with my adult daughter before she left this morning. Anyone out there with hope for me and my white hair?