Bayhealth Sleep Lab

Well I am really depressed today. I have been working on getting all my clearances and approvals to get scheduled to have the Lap Band surgery and today I ran into the most unhelpful person I have encountered in this whole process. Mid-December I went to the Sleep Lab in Georgetown to have a Sleep Apnea test conducted. By the end of the test they knew I had moderate sleep apnea ( stopped breathing numerous times and blood oyygen level below 79% while sleeping), so they told me I had to schedule a follow up appointment to get fitted with a CPAP and get the levels adjusted. The technician at the Georgetown Lab informed me that it should take no more than a week or so to get the follow up scheduled once I gave them the call. So today we contact the scheduling person and they say they earliest they can see me is February 6th !!!!!! I kindly explain to the lady that I am hoping to have my surgery in February and this is the main test that is holding up my clearances. She in turn informs me that they are down 3 people and that the 6th is the earliest they can see me. Unhelpful. Rude. Ignorant. Those are the 3 nicest things I can say about that lady. Now my problem is do I get my test results and try to find another Sleep Lab to have the follow up or just keep being mad at Bayhealth and wait till the 6th. Well thanks for reading. I just had to vent some.

Can you be put on a cancellation list or try another Sleep Lab such as the one in Middletown? Maybe they can get you in sooner....

James, I know what you mean ... it is such a shame that sometimes we get so wrapped up in our work (and ourselves) that we forget that we are dealing with people and their lives. The gal was probably having a rough day, being down several people likely made a lot more stress for her ... no excuse for rudeness I know, but hopefully it will help you to remain focused and get on with your task at hand. I believe that Elkton "Hospital"? does not have as long of a wait for their sleep lab??? Perhaps someone else here who has dealt with them will have more information? Or pehaps you could call them in the morning? Or hopefully someone else will have suggestions on other places that may be a bit quicker. I am thinking that because this place is down several people that perhaps they are running a bit slower on their labs? AT any rate, I would not sit around waiting without trying to find some other place that may (or may not) be able to get you in sooner. If you have been diagnoised with sleep apnea then you need to get fitted for your c-pap and need to be using it. You may want to mention when you call to find out about an appointment that you have already been diagonised, you are just looking for a fitting and to get your levels set. This may nudge someone to understand your need for appointment - after all, breathing is a prerequisite to live right? It is not just a matter of needing this for your surgery, it is simply a matter of you NEED this. Hopefully someone will see this and will help you out. Let us know how it goes ...

Go back to your cardiologist and get their help. They may find a lab with openings. Also ask the Georgetown lab if you can get put on a cancellation list, since many people cancel their appointments at the last minute. Riverside has a sleep lab and they usually get people in pretty quick. Don't want to rain too much on your vent, but back when I was having the sugery in 2003 (rules may have changed, so you need to check, I actually wore the CPAP for five years so I didn't have to wait), the surgeons require you to be on the CPAP for at least six weeks prior to having the surgery. Take it or leave it. Also remember that you are embarking on an exciting journey, but it's yours, so you have a lot of reasons to be positive, happy, and in a rush. The people you encounter along the way are not on the same path as you so their lives can be drab, slow and boring. Don't let them set your mood! [done with my spouting] Rob

Thank you all for all your information and pointers. Today I feel much better After making some more phone calls and getting my wife to make some phone calls (wife is much nicer than me ) we finally got my sleep study follow up scheduled for January 17th at the Middletown Sleep Lab and I got my follow up with the doctor on Feb 1st . So I am really happy about that. I spoke with the Doctor and he advised once I have the CPAP machine he will give me a full clearance for the Lab Band Surgery So I am getting closer to being able to set a date. So far I have got my Cardiologist, Medical Doctor, and EGD Doctors full clearance. I am scheduled for my Phych Eval at the end of this month. So once I get that clearance and finish up with my St Francis class's I should be set.