Severe sleep apnea

I went for my sleep study and was diagnosed as having severe sleep apnea,  I kinda new I had sleep apnea but did not realize how bad it was.  I have been delayed so many different times since I started this battle and now this,  I have no idea what happens next.  I was told that I need to wait alseat 3/4 weeks using a c-pap machine to help me breath at night before I could have surgery.  Does anyone know how much the machines cost and are they effective.  This is just another hurdle in my struggle for weight loss surgery. Neice

I also had sleep apnea before my surgery in Dec. 2005, I had the c-pap machine which luckily was covered by my insurance. I needed it a little while after my surgery, but at around 6 weeks I was finished with it for good. When u have ur surgery, be sure to take it with u to the hospital as u will need it there, but don't despaire, I promise u that this surgery will help ur sleep apnea disappear, and anything else u may be hurdling. Lots of good luck to you and please hang in there. This too shall pass!

Neice- I am so glad they found this out before your surgery!  Generally the CPAP machine is covered by your insurance.  Some insurances will buy the machine outright and some require you to rent the machine.  My insurance rented the machine for 12 months (and I paid a monthly co-payment) and then the machine was mine.  The machines are very effective but sometimes it takes a bit of effort to get used to sleeping with the mask or nose pillows. Red

I am posting here cause we might be moving to Florida in the future. Just to add my 2 cents, I have been on my C-PAP machine since '97 with a Bi-PAP machine for one year in between. Using the C-PAP machine will help get rid of carbon dioxide? is it and for a better surgery. I know a gal who never used the C-PAP machine (i guess her doc did not have her tested, don't really know). Any way after her WLS, she was on a ventilator and out of it for over a week and the reason was because she never had a C-PAP machine. She had crap in her system without the use of the C-PAP machine. My insurance covered it all the time even with switch in insurance companies. I never had to pay anything.  I hate the machine, but guess it does help. I still have severe sleep apnea even after the RnY 2.5 years ago. Also with the diagnosis of severe sleep apnea, that is another co-morbidity for you and better chance of getting approved for WLSor are you already approved. Best of luck.

Karen, Red and Joanne, Thank you for your encouragement, I will find out tomorrow about my c-pap machine.  Ive been waiting a week and the girl that handles  new patients was out on holiday.   I have been approved by my insurance company , but needed a sleep study done by my Doctor.  Now that I have my results I need to wait at least 3/4 weeks before I can have the surgery.  So I guess I just wait.   Thanks for your support Niece

Three to four weeks is really not that long a wait Niece. So where are you from originally, the UK? You used the word holiday and not vacation, LOL.

Kristen, Sorry It took so long to reply, but I was out of town last week.  I picked up my C-PAP machine last Friday.  I started using it Sunday 8/26/08 when I got back in town.  I wanted to wait till I was in My own bed , so I can get use to it.   My insurance covered 90% and all I had to pay was  28.00 plus a monthly co-pay 15.00 since the insurance company rented the machine.  After 13month if I still have sleep apnea then it's mine free and clear.   I used the machine for the first time Sunday night 8/26/07 and I had a deep sleep.   I can't remember ever sleeping that hard.  My alarm went off 4:45AM and I did not hear it go off until 5:15AM.  I could not believe this.  Im the type of person who can hear a pin drop if Im sleeping.  It was real hard to get up I just wanted to continue sleeping.  I had some different dreams that's for sure, my dreams were about being enclosed in a tunnel.  Well I guess with continued use and time my body will be more a custom to my new sleeping arrangement.  However  when I hook up my mask I look like Hannibal Lector from a movie I once saw.   Well I hope the next 4weeks goes by.  I still don't have a date yet.  I was hoping to have surgery end of Sep or Oct.  With my work schedule that would be the best time for me to have surgery.  I will be able to take off 4weeks with pay because it's slow.  So Im sitting on pins and needles hoping to get a date.  I wish they can schedule me so I could give notice request for time off before Dr. Kim is booked up.  Because I know it's hard to get to see him.  I thought since everything else is done they would schedule.  Well anyway my fingers are crossed waiting for my date.   Niece 

Hi Neice,

Have you found out about the C-PAP and insurance yet? I too had severe sleep apnea, and it was also caught during my pre-op tests with Dr. Kim. Being on your CPAP 3-4 weeks before surgery makes surgery and anesthesia safer, so it is so worth it - just a minor hiccup!

Hang in there!!

Kristen