greenthumb19

Breanne, I am a "hose-head" who has used my CPAP faithfully for the past 2 years. I was shocked when I first found out that I had sleep apnea, then it all began to make sense- the snoring, being obese, the fatigue. The fatigue before I started my CPAP was practically debilitating- I could easily fall asleep sitting at a red light. What a huge difference the CPAP has made in my life! I wasn't so sure that I could sleep with a mask on my face, either, but you get accustomed to it pretty quick and it becomes part of your sleep routine. I wake up feeling refreshed, ready to tackle the day. I even bought a battery pack for my CPAP so I can use it when I go camping. I am 5 weeks post-op now and have lost about 40 pounds so far (pre-op diet and post-op), with about 70 pounds more to go. I'm hoping that my sleep apnea will be cured with losing weight, but I'm ok with it if I will still need my CPAP when I get to goal, if it means I will sleep well and feel well. There's actually quite a few skinny people in the world who have sleep apnea and use a CPAP! So I encourage you to rethink about trying the CPAP- at least take it out of the box and give it a try. You might be amazed at how much better you feel in just a few days. Sleep apnea is a serious disorder, and can lead to other health problems if not treated. I was shocked to find out that I stopped breathing 19 times per hour during my sleep study, and am thankful that my CPAP keeps me breathing continuously through the night now. Just give it a try- I think you'll feel a difference. Good luck!

You should see your doctor right away if you have a cough after surgery. I ended up with pneumonia after surgery and the coughing was very painful. I got on antibiotics and cough syrup with codeine and things improved dramatically. Hold a pillow over your stomach when you cough- it helps. I was also concerned that I was damaging my band or port with all of the coughing but the doctor said everything was still ok and in place. Coughing after this surgery is nothing to mess around with- see you doctor today! Surgery on 2-20-09 First fill scheduled for 4-9-09

I was banded on February 20 in Vermont and so far, everything is going pretty well. My only big complaint is the gas- my digestive system is rumbling so loudly it sounds like a war is going on in there! I just tried a couple of Gas X strips but no relief yet. I have to be careful when I "lift a cheek" as there is often liquid behind the gas (sorry for if this is TMI!). Any suggestions on for getting the rumbly gas under control?

Had my surgery on the 20th- everything went well. At 3 days post-op the gas is rumbling alot, and incisions are a bit ouchy, but the pain is well managed with liquid Tylenol. Trying to walk as much as I can, which has to be indoors as we are having a snowstorm right now. Drinking clear liquids now, will start full liquids in 3 more days. So far, so good!

I'm scheduled for February 25, too! Very excited, a little nervous....but so ready for this. 20 days and counting!

Hi Terri! Wow, we have alot of similarities! I'll be banded on Feb. 25, I hope to lose 100 pounds but would be thrilled to lose at least 75, and we're just about the same age (I'll turn 47 this year). I live in northern Vermont, and started the process back in May of 2008 with my initial visit to my PCP. I had my intro class and psych eval in July, and started my supervised diet in September. Got my insurance approval in mid December. I've lost 20 pounds so far pre-op, and I'm guessing I'll drop a few more when I do my 10 day full liquid diet just prior to my surgery. I am so excited and optomistic that I will be able to get this weight off forever. I am a really healthy obese person with some bad genetics predisposing me to many obesity related disorders. My only co-morbid is sleep apnea. I'm hoping that the sleep apnea will go away once I lose a bunch of weight, although I have adjusted very well to being a "hose head" for the past year and a half! My kids think I look like Darth Vader with my sleep apnea aparatus on! My husband says its like sleeping with an F-16 fighter pilot! LOL! Anyhow, I'd love to correspond, since we will starting our lap band journeys at exactly the same time. My email is doodle1229@gmail.com- would love to hear from you! Judy

I am scheduled for February 25! So excited I can hardly stand it! The hard part is being patient for Feb. 25 to get here!

Oh, boy, as a newbie to the lap band world, I'm getting nervous about the after care I'm reading about on the Vermont posts. I am currently doing the 6 month supervised diet with Dr. Forgione and waiting for a surgery date, but am concerned about what will happen after my surgery. Have many people been dissatisfied with the after care they are getting from Dr. Forgione and his staff? Getting a lap band is a huge step for me to take, and I want to make sure I have the best team working with me through this adventure. I'd love to hear about experiences others have had with Dr. Forgione and the lap band.........