Sleep Apnea Pulmonary Clearance Delays

[Miranda Christine 3]

Pre-op sleeve patient here. Started my journey on 11/3/17 , just trying to obtain all my clearances. Primary care, X-ray, fluoroscopy with barium swallow, blood work, psych evaluation, cardiology, gastroenterology, nutrition, and least but not least pulmonary clearance, aka the dreaded sleep study. My last weigh in / nutrition class is February 12, and I was so excited to be done as I obtained all other clearances, until my pulmonogist held me up with not one but two sleep studies that are now delaying my process, insisted on ordering me a cpap despite my alleged sleep apnea being “extremely mild”. Now is requiring me to use the machine for at least 14 days and bring it with me to the appointment in order to clear me.... personally I find this process absolutely ridiculous. They make you jump through so many hoops. Also I am hearing that some people’s surgeons made them wait 3 months with this cpap nonsense. It’s so FRUSTRATING. Anyone else experience this?!

[KatFight 207]

Hi. I did spend a longer period of time getting the pulmonary clearance. One issue is that the first pulmonologist's associates referred me somewhere for the test and when I didn't get a call from the sleep center in the timeframe they told me, I called the pulmonologist as instructed. I had to keep calling bc every timeframe they gave me would come and go.

I attempted to call the sleep center many times but no one answered nor was there voicemail! I finally called my ins.only to find that the sleep center never called in for an approval as I was told they did. I was being told they were waiting for ins. Insurance confirmed that that company had absolutely not contacted them for anything.

I contacted the BBB and someone from the sleep center called and apologized for their errors. I originally saw first pulmonologist on 9/7/17. I got a call from sleep center mid-October so you can add up the time I lost in getting my clearance. The sleep center said they did cost me time in process and would fast track an appt with another pulmonologist since I would not return to first office. (So much more happened there but it would be a novel.)

The pulmonology clearance really frustrated me too. I was sooooo glad when I verified it had been rec'd by my surgeon.

Stay strong - in the moment it seems like a big mountain to climb and it feels like your surgery will never happen. I felt that way and I'm post-op.
In the end, this will be in your rear view and you'll be just where you want to be. [emoji259]

[Kimbero 167]

I also just got the call that i have to wear a c pap for 2 weeks at least 4 hours a night. That is the last clearance i need, the only thing they told me is to just call every couple days to make sure they are getting my readings every day and i should be fine. I will have my surgery date on feb 28th. Im shooting for late march, due to a long vacation in early march. My sleep study night was the worse night of my life. Ugh, so glad its over. Good luck to you

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using BariatricPal mobile app