cierra'sgrandma

I've was diagnosed with sleep apnea several years ago. After a second sleep study done in August (or was it September?) of 2007, I was switched from a C-Pap machine to a Bi-Pap machine, and it works a LOT better! I'm going to make sure I ask my surgeon about whether or not I will be able to use my Bi-Pap machine after I'm banded (February 6th), because, for some reason--and I'm sure there is one!--I seem to swallow air during the night, and wake up in the morning burping like crazy! I'm still not crazy about having to use a B-Pap machine, but I DO sleep better, and don't nod off all the time, AND I sleep a lot better with it.AND my husband is happier as well!

My insurance is Humana Private Fee for Service. They have a bariatric division. It really didn't take too long for me to get approved, once all the paperwork was submitted. I've already seen my surgeon, but had to wait for insurance approval before I could set a date for the surgery (February 6th) and start on the two week liquid diet. Due to insurance guidelines, I will have to stay overnight, but that's okay. My overall co-pay isn't bad, either. Just let me add this--don't take it for granted that you know what's covered and what's not {co-pays, etc.). Make calls if you have to, and don't give up, especially if you're truly serious about having the Lap-Band surgery. If anyone of you out there is on Medicare, they WILL cover the surgery, but there are a lot of hoops to jump through. One of their requirements is that the hospital you are going to have the surgery at be approved as an American Bariatric Center of Excellence hospital. PLUS--they will require you--if you are a smoker--to stop smoking. There will actually be a blood test done--either a number of days before your surgery, or the day of: I don't recall exactly--that will let your surgeon know whether or not you've been smoking. If you test "positive", your surgery will be cancelled. I don't think this takes second-hand smoke inhallation into account, and I don't know of further ramifications of a positive "smoker" test, but I'm sure they're out there.There are more requirements, and I am sure that there's somone "out there" in the lap band community who knows more than I do about this, and I welcome their input.

I just added the protein powder to the jello before I set it in the refrigerator to set up. Be sure to stir it really well. It may change jello to a sort of creamy color, but it shouldn't affect the consistency. Well, allow me to back-track here and say, I suppose, that it depends on the type of protein powder you have.(?) Mine can be used in just about anything--liquids, baking...I'm still in the pre-op stage, but this may halep you some.

My date for surgery is February 6th. I've been on a liquid diet--Slim-Fast Optima & protein shakes--since January 23rd. It hasn't been easy, but I think I'm past the point of extreme cravings for creamy macaroni & cheese! LOL. Oh--I can have sugar-free, fat-free jello. Well, I'm not really a jello fan, but there you have it. I would like to know how many of you out there have struggled--but prevailed--on your pre-op diet?