UPDATE AND QUESTIONS

Greetings all. Update: Had my sleep study Tuesday night at Covenant in Waterloo. The experience on a whole was about what I expected. Reasonably comfortable (except the bed ), the techs were nice, joked around but very professional. He said I will probably go back for a machine, as my O2 level dropped several times. I can handle that. Question: I asked the tech about how long would it take to get the next appointment (since sleep studies seem to take forever to schedule) He said very soon as they hold a spot for my surgeons pts. Now, the reason I asked was NOT because I was worried about my health, but because I was worried about finances. It is getting towards the end of the year and I am afraid that I will lose all my insurance deductibles that I've already met. And also that I will lose my money that I set aside in my flex account through work for the rest of what I will owe. (and no, I can't carry it over to next year, or transfer it out, I've already checked). Are my priorities wrong? Am I right to be concerned, after all I have been at this ALL YEAR? It sounds so petty to put financial concerns above health concerns. Another question, though it is a little off beat. I had to have the sleep study done, and also have to see a cardiologist next week (abnormal EKG) , due to testing for WLS. Had I not pursued WLS I would have never known that I had sleep apnea or a cardiac "abnormality". How many people out there, MO or not, have undiscovered problems that their PCPs don't pick up on for one readon or another? It makes me wonder what else might be wrong....... I have waaaaaay to much time on my hands to be thinking like that Thanks for the ear Sheila

Sheila, I was wondering how things went. I was thinking about you that night. I don't think your priorities are wrong. The money part is important. I imagine you will get this done yet this year, unless something serious comes up with the cardiologist. Once you get your CPAP, and it sounds like the sleep study indicates that, Dr G wants you to use it at least 2 weeks before surgey, if I remember correctly. I bet they get you in for the second sleep study really soon. I also understand your second question, about not knowing you have a problem. I didn't know I had sleep apnea either & many of the members of the board have read my story but you probably haven't. When I had my ultrasound, just over 2 weeks before my surgery, the technician found a large mass in my abdomen. After it had been removed I learned that at first everyone thought it was ovarian cancer & of course, Dr G postponed my surgery until it was taken care of. Fortunately, it was a benign tumor & I had the RNY 11 weeks later. But what really made me know I needed this WLS is that even though the tumor was the size of a quart jar, neither my PCP or my gynecologist could palpate it during an exam. My fat was hiding it that well. It obviously was growing a long time. It caused some serious incontenience problems for me that I had attributed to my obesity and I had them for quite awhile. Imagine if it had been cancer? I probably wouldn't be here or wouldn't have had my WLS. Instead I would be in cancer treatment. Try not to dwell on the potential problems. Most likely, you'll just fly through the rest of your testing & you'll get your date in no time. Aren't you glad though that they did find the sleep apnea now instead of having trouble with your breathing in the hospital? They will have you bring your CPAP along & use it there. Many people have very good outcomes with their CPAP and can't believe how rested they are when they use it. I wasn't fond of my machine & never used it again after my surgery but I understand that most people no longer need it after they lose around 70 lbs. Let us know how things go at the cardiologist & when you get your date. Dixie

Sheila. Hey, I am Kathy, Buzz's sister. I was on the site checking out the new WLS people and I saw your name. When will you be getting your surgery? I had mine the last of April and I have lost 96 lbs! I feel like a new person. I was scared to death, but it was a breeze, my only regret is that I didn't do it sooner! How is your mom, I think about her every now and then. I talk with Lois on here a lot, or I should say we E-mail eachother. Good luck with the surgery. Let me know if I can help ya out in anyway. Blessings, Kathy

Sheila, Sorry I didn't respond sooner - I've been sick. Your concerns about insurance and money are valid. Pursue this with your surgeon's office. Also, I'm glad that your surgeon found things that are wrong BEFORE surgery. It is so very important that you go into this healthy. Hopefully, there is nothing else wrong! God bless, Andrea