Sleep Apnea Treatment

Question by Erika G: Is there an organization that can set up a payment plan for bariatric surgery? (for weightloss)?
I am in desperate need of bariatric surgery for weightloss but my insurance asks that I begin seeing a doctor to monitor my weight for a whole year. However, I gained over 50 lbs. from last year and I am very afraid that I will gain more weight from here until my insurance will cover it. I am willing to pay for it myself, if there is any way of getting a payment plan of any kind. I am running out of options and meanwhile I am gaining more and more weight. Is there any type of organization that helps people in my situation who need to lose weight NOW! I am a 30 year old female and I weigh 350 lbs. I am suffering from high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythm, sleep apnea and asthma. Exercise is excrutiating for me and I have failed at dieting time and time again. HELP!

Best answer:

Answer by Leo
Weight loss surgery-like gastric bypass /lap band surgery / stomach stapling and gastrectomy have become very common and very safe now. My cousin got her Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery in India. She has lost more than 65 lbs in 5 months and is very happy with the results. The price for obesity surgery is very less in India. My cousin just paid 25% of the cost she was quoted in America. She got her surgery from a company called Forerunners Healthcare.

Forerunners Healthcare is very famous in India. I read a lot about them in the Newspapers and magazines. I have read a lot of their patient stories also. They arrange financing for USA, Canadian, UK and other international patients who plan to have surgery abroad for low cost, as bariatric surgery and weight loss surgery is not covered by insurance. They also have photos pasted of their International patients. You can checkout their website. There are huge cost savings. As a doctor I personally believe that your Obesity surgery can be easily handled in India, as the quality of healthcare available In India is simply best in the world. The surgeons are USA/UK trained and facilities are 5 star.

http://www.forerunnershealthcare.com
Hope this helps.

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Question by csillag: Functional orthodontic treatment plan?
I’d like to ask Tooth 975’s opinion about a proposed treatment plan I ‘m to undergo, if you’re around, and willing!!

My situation: 2 upper biscuspids extracted years ago, 4 wisdom teeth also extracted. Sleep apnea, neck pain. Flat facial profile

Proposed treatment: Bring upper teeth outside lowers using 1 screw upper schwartz, 2 months, turn once every 2 days. Bring front teeth forward with a schwarz 3d- like appliance, to allow lower jaw to come forward. Braces, implants to replace teeth. There may be things missing, but this is what I gathered. Probably an expander somewhere. Is this ok, to just tip teeth initially and start proper expansion later?

Does this seem sound to you?

1. Can the lower jaw actually come forward at my age?
2. In fact, I thought it odd he wants to move my lower jaw forward, as it always looked more prominent (or at least larger) than my upper. I know that narrow upper jaws can cause retruded lower jaws, so I understand its likely in my case, but does it look bigger only as my upper jaw is slightly back, and narrow?
3. I’ve heard extractions can cause the upper jaw to move backwards, which is likely in my case- is it possible to move it forward, and if so, should this be done?

Sorry for the questions, but I feel uncomfortable questioning my ortho directly, in case he would take it the wrong way.

Thanks!!
forgot to mention, i’m 26.

Best answer:

Answer by tooth975
The treatment plan you described is an excellent one. The only things I would do different is use an upper Schwartz with 2 screws instead of one because it would be more effective. One turn every 2 days is too fast for an adult and I would suggest one turn a week but at 26 years of age you can probably squeak by at one turn every 5-6 days. Slow expansion is more stable than rapid expansion. FYI, expansion with a Schwartz plate will not tip teeth if done correctly, it will actually expand the jaw. At the rate you described tipping will likely occur so go slow because you do not want to tip teeth. The bone needs time to remodel also so one turn every 7 days would be ideal. Almost always when bicuspids are extracted and the front teeth are retracted to close excess space during traditional orthodontic treatment, the mandible becomes trapped posteriorly. When the front teeth are moved forward again, the mandible sometimes moves forward on its own because that is where it wants to be. If the mandible does not move forward on its own, a functional appliance (i.e. Twin Blocks) will need to be worn to reposition it properly to a Class I relationship. When a mandible is translated, it does not change in size, only in position so your jaw will not look bigger; your facial profile will improve and you will look better. And YES, a narrow maxilla can make the mandible look too large. Whether the premaxilla needs to be moved forward will depend on what the cephalometric analysis shows (you must have one done because that will be your road map and it will tell you what needs to be done). Yes, it is possible to move the premaxilla forward if necessary with a sagittal appliance with or without the help of a Reverse Face Mask. The Face mask is worn only at night, BTW. Congratulations on finding someone who knows what he/she is doing.

What do you think? Answer below!

I have been on a CPAP for 18 months now, and acquired United Healthcare Choice Plus insurance several months ago. Will they cover my masks, CPAP and future sleep treatments?