P-Body

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 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)

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, I was just banded last week in Bangkok. I live in Shanghai and Bangkok is more in the neighborhood than North America. I think the surgery went well. My wounds all look good, I feel better and stonger each day. My surgery was arranged by LBS (Dr. Miller) in Bangkok. My surgeon was Dr. Sutdachit. He is a very kind man and I believe he did a good job on the surgery. As for LBS, I think our pacient/doctor relationship is finished. Dr. Miller gave me a very outdated booklet with a load of incorrect/outdated information related to the surgery, side effects and post surgery diet to follow. As a result I no longer trust Dr. Millers advice. My Husband and I have searched the web for information about post-op diet. There are so many opinions about what to and not to consume on the liquid diet. I was really confused what I should eat or not but I think I got a handle on it now. I would like to hear some opinions re; post op diet. I think/hope I am doing the right things for my body. I don't feel the excitement about the procedure yet like I feel I should. I feel I am here alone with little support living with my band in bizzaro world. I feel nervous about my ability to handle all of this without any psychological counceling or dietician. These things are not readily available in Shanghai. However I am lucky that there is a clinic where I can get my fills done. I have lost 13 Lbs (6kg) in just over a week. I decided against Dr. Millers advice and I use a diet shake to increase my Protein because I read several sites that is essential for healing in the first month. I would like to loose as much weight as reasonably possible but not at the risk of complications from not healing properly. I also stopped drinking tea which was allowed under the "Miller" plan and now being at home I have read it is not advisable. Some of the post op diets I have read said cream based Soups (cream of mushroom with skim milk) are ok and others say not. I am trying as much as possible to use sugar free and reduced calorie items for the full liquid diet but they are not easy to find and sometimes just not available at all. I figure the difference between low fat cottage cheese and regular is not that crucial?? I was just happy to find cottage cheese at all. I would like to know if there are any other expat banders like me living in asia. Are there any other people who have had surgery done in Thailand? Thanks P-Body