Follow-up to "Weight Loss CAN Work!"

[suntan]

Thanks guys for your congratulatory sentiments. Snoozin' Bluezzz:- I wish you all the best in making a weight adjustment along with your therapy, you will find it beneficial in so many ways.
reval:- I do know that OSAS affects all types of people, I was just trying to encourage weight loss for those who need it, as it can only improve their current condition.
Guest:- You are absolutely right about stressing the follow-up PSG, as even a slight change in stats can affect your day to day comfort. I was extremely lucky to have been able to cure my apnea without ever having to succumb to the dreaded "night visitor". But as you pointed out, one cannot make assumptions re: weight loss/cure. Your question:- My AHI on the first study was 23; on the second, 4.9.
needingu:- I whole-heartedly encourage you to look into a weight-loss program to lose those 20lbs. You will feel so much better, and like me, will probably have a smile on your face most of the time. Good Luck!
linda b:- My health had deteriorated so much that I needed 2 canes to walk, and could only climb stairs one at a time. At a young 67yrs, I knew I had to act, and the diagnosis of OSAS was the trigger. I looked into most of the programs available today, including local groups who have banded together following the South Beach and Atkin's Diets etc. One program that stood out for me was the Dr. Bernstein Health and Diet Clinic. There are clinics all over Canada, but as far as I know, only 4 in the U.S. - 2 in Florida and 2 in Virginia. I don't know if there is an equivalent program there. Basically, we are fully screened before we begin, having an EEG and chest X-Ray, and clearance from our GPs. We are given a complete blood work-up, and we give our medical history. The diet regimen is quite strict, and includes 4 food groups. Protein: 3 1/2 oz. per meal. Veg: 8 oz. per meal. Fruit: Selection off the list. Bread substitutes: Selection off the list. If you need to lose over 100lbs, you have 3 meals a day, less than 100 it's 2 meals a day. Believe me, even tho' this sounds like very little food it truly is enough! I have not once felt hungry, in fact, have sometimes felt stuffed!! I soon realized that even tho' I always ate healthy food, I ate way too much, so already I have changed my entire way of eating, and that is the secret. I know I will never be fat again!! The other good thing about this Clinic, is the staff. They are all nurses, and I attend 3 times a week, to check my diet sheet (everything I eat or drink, I write down), receive a Vit.B shot, talk about any concerns etc. I supplement my diet with Potassium, Fish-oil, Calcium/Magnesium w/Vit.D, Vit.C, and a Multi-Vit. Every 8 weeks more blood-work is done, and every 2 weeks I see the in-house Doctor to ensure everything is O.K. Another very important part of the diet is fluid. We must drink at least 8-10 glasses a day, altho' I personally drink about 12-15 a day. If there's anything more you wish to know I'll be happy to tell you. Oh, yes, it is quite expensive, as I'm retired on a fixed income, but they gave me a break because of that, for which I am eternally grateful. But when it came down to paying $1200 for a machine which I didn't want, (that's over and above the gov. subsidy), or freeing myself from the shackles of quivering blubber, (and feeling good to boot), it was a no-brainer. I'm in a good place now, and feel young again, even tho' I still have about 60+lbs to go, but it is not a question of "if" I will do it, but "by when". Hope this helps, linda b.
I just thought of something, and maybe someone who has experienced this can give you more info. When I started losing weight, the first place it noticed was my face, and now my facial contours are completely different. This obviously will have an effect on your mask fittings, but I don't know what that really means as I fortunately never had to go that route, but it is food for thought. Cheers everyone!