RE: Finally Getting CPAP Machine

[Guest guest]

Wahoo - you get your CPAP in a few days! You will feel *so much* better! Remember that it takes a few days to get used to it, so don't get discouraged. You can write me personally at Grace44444 @ frontiernet.net if you have any questions. I've been using CPAP for 5 years, and even after losing 105 pounds I still need it. But that's okay -- the alternative is not at all pleasant (i.e. not using it and dying!). Make sure they give you a comfortable mask (the gel-type one is my favorite, called Profile Lite by Respironics) to minimize air leaks and fit your face comfortably. And if your machine has to be turned up high, make sure they get you a heated humidifier to go with it. I have severe allergies, and if I don't use *humidified* air it flares them up. Not fun. But my setting is so high I could blow dry my hair with the hose - no kidding. So you may not need it. I have been diagnosed with severe sleep apnea. Not even moderate or moderately severe, but SEVERE. :-(

You mentioned you were wondering which was worse, dying from the surgery or dying from obesity. I can tell you that the odds of you dying from morbid obesity-related causes are MUCH MUCH greater than the odds of dying in surgery. Nationally the average is 1 in 200 that die from the surgery, but most bariatric surgeons with experience (like those at Kaiser) have much better odds. One surgeon I know in Roseville (not Kaiser) has had one patient die in 8 years. Another (Pacific Bariatrics doc) has had 2 die in 20 years. So death from the surgery is really pretty rare. BUT - death from morbid obesity is sadly a lot more common. I think we all know someone who died from the effects of being morbidly obese. I personally know several.

I don't know what I can say to help get you back on track. Perhaps you are right about waiting until after the holidays to make up your mind. Holidays are centered around food usually, and if you have no sense of urgency, why not just enjoy the food this year and start in again in January? There's no need to make up your mind right now. As you said, the delay due to CPAP may be a blessing in disguise.

Okay, this is loooooonnnnng. So sorry. ;-)

Laurie W.

Re: Disturbing News Piece

Yup, I goofed. Wish I got as many response to my WLS surgery questions as I've got to the mistaken wife

Gold Canyon Candles

www.mygccandle.com/heavensgate Sensaria Natural Skincare

[Guest guest]

Hey Laurie,

Don't apologize for being long. I appreciate your thoughts; they are so encouraging. They said I had mild sleep apnea and didn't need a machine but sent the authorization to the doctor anyway. She was a bit confused and she said that since they sent the request and I'm 100% covered, it couldn't hurt to try it. Is the gel mask the one that covers your nose? I heard that there is one that just goes in you nostrils and doesn't cover your nose, but that seems like it would have leakage? What do I know--this is all so new to me!

I didn't make it home in time to see the Dateline special and I'm really glad I didnt. I read all the transcripts and my daughter probably would have been hysterical if she saw the piece about the fellow who died. I know the risks of dying are higher without surgery. My main disappointment was I DIDN'T want to go through another holiday season with the emphasis on food. I'm terrified I will gain back what little I lost before I got off track (18 lbs and holding) and have to start all over again. I did lots of water aerobics during the summer but now that it's getting cold here, the apartment pool is closed. I was going to the gym but they have an outdoor pool so I will have to relocate to one that is inside if I can find one. With the osteoarthritis in my knees, the doctor said those were the best for me and to stay off the treadmill and bike. I may have to become a member of the polar bear club and just stiff upper lip swimming

outside!!

ChrisLaurie W wrote:

Wahoo - you get your CPAP in a few days! You will feel *so much* better! Remember that it takes a few days to get used to it, so don't get discouraged. You can write me personally at Grace44444 @ frontiernet.net if you have any questions. I've been using CPAP for 5 years, and even after losing 105 pounds I still need it. But that's okay -- the alternative is not at all pleasant (i.e. not using it and dying!). Make sure they give you a comfortable mask (the gel-type one is my favorite, called Profile Lite by Respironics) to minimize air leaks and fit your face comfortably. And if your machine has to be turned up high, make sure they get you a heated humidifier to go with it. I have severe allergies, and if I don't use *humidified* air it flares them up. Not fun. But my setting is so high I could blow dry my hair with the hose - no kidding. So you may not need it. I have been diagnosed with

severe sleep apnea. Not even moderate or moderately severe, but SEVERE. :-(

You mentioned you were wondering which was worse, dying from the surgery or dying from obesity. I can tell you that the odds of you dying from morbid obesity-related causes are MUCH MUCH greater than the odds of dying in surgery. Nationally the average is 1 in 200 that die from the surgery, but most bariatric surgeons with experience (like those at Kaiser) have much better odds. One surgeon I know in Roseville (not Kaiser) has had one patient die in 8 years. Another (Pacific Bariatrics doc) has had 2 die in 20 years. So death from the surgery is really pretty rare. BUT - death from morbid obesity is sadly a lot more common. I think we all know someone who died from the effects of being morbidly obese. I personally know several.

I don't know what I can say to help get you back on track. Perhaps you are right about waiting until after the holidays to make up your mind. Holidays are centered around food usually, and if you have no sense of urgency, why not just enjoy the food this year and start in again in January? There's no need to make up your mind right now. As you said, the delay due to CPAP may be a blessing in disguise.

Okay, this is loooooonnnnng. So sorry. ;-)

Laurie W.

Re: Disturbing News Piece

Yup, I goofed. Wish I got as many response to my WLS surgery questions as I've got to the mistaken wife

Gold Canyon Candles

www.mygccandle.com/heavensgate Sensaria Natural Skincare

Gold Canyon Candles

www.mygccandle.com/heavensgate Sensaria Natural Skincare

[Guest guest]

Hi there,

I was online this morning at www.cpap.com - what a confusing array of products. But they do have one that I am seriously jonesing over and it's actually cheaper then even the Profile or the other full masks. It is called the Nasal Aire I or II and it justs goes in and slightly over your nose. No headgear whatsoever. The tubing loops over your ears and around in front like a lariat so that there is no hosing over your head and you have clear vision. I don't know if I will like how it feels but I'm sure going to ask them if I can try it. I just could not stand not so much the mask but all the junk on my head and face and blocking my vision. Yeah, I know I'm supposed to have my eyes shut when I'm sleeping but I quite often go to bed with the TV on a timer because guess what--I have trouble falling asleep! So maybe that will change in the future but I just felt too constricted. Since my DME

coverage is 100% I'm seriously hoping that I have a choice in what I get and they'll be happy if this is less money. We'll see on Thursday. I guess I'm one of the really lucky ones because I also went to a website called www.cpaptalk.com which has a forum and a lot of people don't have full coverage and are fighting over buying versus rental of machines, co-pays, etc. God Bless Kaiser!Laurie W wrote:

Yep, the Profile Lite gel mask fits over your nose -- it's triangle-shaped. I don't like things *in* my nose, so this is a good option for me. They are more likely to give you this type of mask than the inter-nasal kind (called "nasal pillows"). The nasal pillows actually fit into your nostrils, as I understand it, and I knew this would bug me. Some people love them, though.

Laurie W.

Re: Disturbing News Piece

Yup, I goofed. Wish I got as many response to my WLS surgery questions as I've got to the mistaken wife

Gold Canyon Candles

www.mygccandle.com/heavensgate Sensaria Natural Skincare

Gold Canyon Candles

www.mygccandle.com/heavensgate Sensaria Natural Skincare

Gold Canyon Candles

www.mygccandle.com/heavensgate Sensaria Natural Skincare

[Guest guest]

The choice of a mask is totally individual. I'm glad you're doing research.

And sadly not all Kaiser plans cover DME. Mine doesn't cover *any* of it. So yes, God bless Kaiser (they covered my surgery) -- but not because they *always* cover DME. Sigh....

Laurie W.

Re: Disturbing News Piece

Yup, I goofed. Wish I got as many response to my WLS surgery questions as I've got to the mistaken wife

Gold Canyon Candles

www.mygccandle.com/heavensgate Sensaria Natural Skincare

Gold Canyon Candles

www.mygccandle.com/heavensgate Sensaria Natural Skincare

Gold Canyon Candles

www.mygccandle.com/heavensgate Sensaria Natural Skincare

[Guest guest]

What a bummer that you're not completely covered. I've found that one compensation of being a low paid government employee is that we do have pretty good benefits. I've worked for the state for 28 years and have always been pretty healthy so now my employer is getting there money's worth in all the premiums they've paid for me all these years (LOL). When it comes to health insurance, I realize that I'm totally blessed and have no complaints. I do, however, have a special heart for people who have partial or no insurance coverage--don't even get me on that bad wagon!Laurie W wrote:

The choice of a mask is totally individual. I'm glad you're doing research.

And sadly not all Kaiser plans cover DME. Mine doesn't cover *any* of it. So yes, God bless Kaiser (they covered my surgery) -- but not because they *always* cover DME. Sigh....

Laurie W.

Re: Disturbing News Piece

Yup, I goofed. Wish I got as many response to my WLS surgery questions as I've got to the mistaken wife

Gold Canyon Candles

www.mygccandle.com/heavensgate Sensaria Natural Skincare

Gold Canyon Candles

www.mygccandle.com/heavensgate Sensaria Natural Skincare

Gold Canyon Candles

www.mygccandle.com/heavensgate Sensaria Natural Skincare

Gold Canyon Candles

www.mygccandle.com/heavensgate Sensaria Natural Skincare