P-Body

I feel a bit sad that no one replied to my thread. Did I write something wrong? I would really like to join your group. How can I join? Do I need to apply or something? I'm not living in Van yet but I will be soon enough.

Hi, I think I should join your group. I live in Shanghai China for 5 years but I am from Vancouver and planning to move back there end of this year. Aiming for Sept. I was banded in Thailand 19,09,2008. I have lost 78lbs. (37kg) and goal is 34 lbs. away. I read your post and it really had not occurred to me that getting fills taken care of might be an issue. You mean there are actually doctors that would deny a patient care because another doctor preformed the surgery? WOW! that's an eye opener. So what if somebody moves to a new place? Tough luck? I guess I can understand that the aftercare is not as profitable and that it might be a nuisance to look after somebody else patient when they went Mexico because it was cheaper but it seems a bit harsh. Especially considering the amount of troubles I've had with acid reflux and semi emergency unfills I have had done recently. I guess I'm pretty darn lucky that they look after me here in Shanghai even when I'm a complainy whiny princess about the conditions at the hospital here as I did my surgery in Thailand. not because it was cheaper at the tune of 12,000 USD+ but because the Chinese hospital was not up to par in my opinion. I'm glad to hear about the Dr. at St. Paul's, hope that is still the case when I get back home or it will be a really big buggery problem. I was actually looking for a psyc thats deals with Lap Band issues in Vancouver as I thought that I might be able to arrange some sort of online session and pay with my credit card. I'm feeling pretty far out on my own here in Shanghai. I personally feel that there are far bigger issues to deal with in my weight loss than overeating. I would really love to see someone to sort them out and gain some sort of coping mechanism to deal with my often self defeating behavior. There is no one here. I'm lucky if I find an English speaking psyc. There are only a handful here and none dealing with issues related to LB. Maybe somebody can refer me to someone? Anyway, I would like to join your group to keep abreast of LB situation in Van. and hopefully join your meetings next year

Hi, I think I should join your group. I live in Shanghai China for 5 years but I am from Vancouver and planning to move back there end of this year. Aiming for Sept. I was banded in Thailand 19,09,2008. I have lost 78lbs. (37kg) and goal is 34 lbs. away. I read your post and it really had not occurred to me that getting fills taken care of might be an issue. You mean there are actually doctors that would deny a patient care because another doctor preformed the surgery? WOW! that's an eye opener. So what if somebody moves to a new place? Tough luck? I guess I can understand that the aftercare is not as profitable and that it might be a nuisance to look after somebody else patient when they went Mexico because it was cheaper but it seems a bit harsh. Especially considering the amount of troubles I've had with acid reflux and semi emergency unfills I have had done recently. (out of space, continue in next post)

Hi, I'd love to start a support group in Shanghai China. Alas there is me and one other guy I know. A few locals who don't speak English which is ok except my Chinese is "ma ma hu hu". So maybe there is somebody else out here? Best P-Body

I am flowing along nicely 3 months post-op, 47 pounds lost. Until recently, first thing I noticed is I'd have this "oh crap" I lost more weight thought go through my head when I stepped on the scale. Then I'd think to myself, are you crazy? Don't you want to loose weight? You just paid 12,000$ for this surgery. I think there is some part of me that doesn't want to loose weight. About a month ago I've stared snacking. You know just sneak over to the fridge when your not really hungry but feeling somewhat unsatisfied. Sometimes I say a firm no to myself and other times there is this " I want food" in a Homer Simpson voice that overrides all my intellect. The pinnacle was Christmas of course, it should be better now that most of the temptation is out of the house. I get all nervous before my fills, start thinking that I really don't need an other fill and that the food I eat now is just the right amount and all kinds of other silly rationalizations. So please tell me that there is someone else out there with the same crazy thoughts as me and that it is all just a silly phase and will pass soon.

I'm 2 months out and started having some mild pain in the port area. more like soreness. I notice it more after I eat. I was wondering what your doctor said about it? I can not just ask my doctor, I had my surgery in Thailand and I live in China and only have a GP looking after me. Cheers

You could fly to Bangkok every so often. It would make a nice long weekend. I have heard that the fill there is excellent. I can't remember the name of the hospital but starts with a B if you google it. I am having my first fill in Shanghai tomorrow. Shanghai is pretty close to Japan. It's not top notch here though.

yes, good and strong now. I think it was just some port pain. I think it's fairly common. I get it from time to time. I will remember that. Thank you kindly :-)

Hi Terri, I had a look at your jewelry, very nice. interesting materials. The true indicator of correct design is always sales I say. If people buy it then it's good. I am not really a fashionista, I do technical stuff like sample development, pattern making and sewing. Although I am trained as a fashion designer my design skills are pretty rusty. I feel pretty good today. yesterday I went to the fabric market and I think the bags were too heavy. I started getting pain in my right side by my ribs (I think that's where the port is) Then it was getting worse through the day when bending over. Finally at night it was hurting quite a bit from any twisting or bending. Today it is better so I guess I over did it. I will take it easy today (last day off) and see if it gets better or I will go to the Doctor after work tomorrow. Diet wise I think I'm ok for now. Thanks to people on this forum. You are way ahead of me, so maybe I can ask you about the next stage. After my first fill I herd I need to go back to liquid diet? For how long? I really hated the liquid diet. The smell of chicken bouillon make me nauseous now. Sounds like you are doing great! Congrats :-)

thanks for the diet info. That gives me a bit of a gauge. So somewhere between 50 and 100g. So I think I definitely not getting enough.

Thanks to all who answered my question re; protein. gives me a much better idea. I was very excited to learn that the store across the street sells it. I am going to the store right now. :-)

Hi Terry, You said: all the way from Thailand! What kind of work are you doing there? Are you an American? I had the surgery done in Thailand, I live in Shanghai China. I came to Shanghai for work. I am a fashion design teacher at a design college. Oh yes, I am Canadian. Thailand is much farther ahead than China for medical care. So I opted to go there instead of doing the surgery in Shanghai. The hospital was kinda iky in Shanghai. Thanks for sharing your diet. I found allot of diets that tell me about the foods but not much info about the Protein supplements. My husband said the store across the street caries that whey protein supplements. Maybe I should just take some of that and then I need not worry about the diet so much as far as getting the daily protein intake and focus on the size and chewing it all really well. I am starting to feel like I need to be a scientist he he.

Can somebody please explain to me about BPing? I heard about Slime. I was not aware of having to go back to liquid diet after fills? How long do I have to do liquids for after the fill. I am suddenly realizing how a bariatric Doctor or dietician would be useful here and how grateful I am to have this forum. I am in an unusual situation as I live in China and the doctor here doesn't speak English very well and are not set up for handling foreigners, plus I think there is still a whole "I am a Doctor, I don't need to explain anything to you" attitude here. I want to make sure I do the right things and look after my band for life.

how much protein is recommended for one day? i am drinking one slim fast per day which has 14.1g in it. It is all I can find here in Shanghai. Is it enough? I am eating high protein foods, eggs, string cheese, cottage cheese. I also take a SF effervescent multivitamin. Please don't say talk to your dietitian because I don't have that here either.

Hi there, I am Canadian living in Shanghai. I just had my band done 09,21 in Thailand. So far so good. :eek: I am looking for another expat in Asia who can share similar experiences. I am fortunate that I have a fill Doctor here although it is at an old style communist hospital and my Doctor doesn't really speak English.:tongue: I chose not do the surgery here as the hygiene is not really up to the standards that I am used to and the general level of care is just a bit rougher than what I am used to. They seem to be under the impression that they are treating me like a princess ha ha he he. NOT. Most of the people here can just call up their Dietitian or Doctor or Counselor for reliable guidance. I on the other hand am on my own. I would like to talk to some other people living abroad who are also advocating for themselves. So for example, my big adventure today will be to go hunting all the foreign food supermarkets for crystal light and cottage cheese. low fat would be even better but lets not be too picky.:tongue: