Question:
I just made an appointment for a sleep study

which i get done on the 23rd of this month. I'm just a little excited because i feel this is getting me closer to my goal of being approved by my insurance. I don't want to be diagnosed with sleep apnea but I think it will help as far as insurance is concerned, don't understand why i just can't get approval with my high bmi of 61 and being 100#'s overweight.    — Stacy I. (posted on August 12, 2002)

August 12, 2002
Hi Stacy, First, I believe this IS a big deal because knowing whether you have apnea can make a big difference in your surgery/recovery experience. A SAFETY thing... I just had my sleep study last week. It wasn't so bad! There's definitely more uncomfortable diagnostic procedures to go through! I had a real sweet guy (yeah, I was a bit put off at first that my technician was a guy - but what a sweetie!). He asked me about my planned WLS (he saw it on the chart the dr. sent over! He probably also noticed that I lied about my weight on the paper he made me fill out - just by about 25 pounds.. what's the difference at this point!). ANYWAY - I didn't realize that I had apnea - had some suspicions since I began having morning headaches. But he put the C-PAP on halfway through the night and I slept like a baby! I can't wait to get my own C-Pap - I'm sure I'll have more energy when I get some real sleep! Good luck!
   — Nancy K.

August 12, 2002
I just did my sleep study last week. I did not have sleep apnea although I do snore a lot! It was okay, they hook you up to all these electrode/wire things and then expect you to get a good nights sleep! I survived and my technician was nice, now I wait for my surgeon to receive the results so he can start my insurance letter!
   — Debbie P.

August 12, 2002
I got denied on my first try too, and then i had a sleep study and found out i had SEVERE sleep apnea, and my insurance approved it after that (i sent an appeal letter).
   — Robert L.

August 13, 2002
Stacy, Thank goodness you are getting a sleep study done! If you have sleep apnea it is VERY dangerous to go into surgery and not have been diagnosed and treated! Between the anesthesia and the morphine they give you for pain you can stop breathing! Please read the memorial on Ginger Brewster on the memorial page of this website to find out what can happen if your sleep apnea isn't taken seriously when you have your surgery. If you have any questions or comments please e-mail me. Best of luck to you in your weight loss journey.
   — Hackett