OrderIsChaos

We've been here in Dalian over a year and I did eventually find a great surgeon. He names is Dr. Li and he is normally based in Hong Kong but travels around 2 times a month to Beijing to the International SOS clinic there. He has been fantastic through maintenance fills and through an ulcer issue. I imagine finding someone in Shanghai or Beijing won't be too problematic, but might take some digging. Also, chicken dishes often contain cartilage and my band HATED that (and it was stupid for me to even try to finish the dish I had), so be aware if you don't have someone for emergencies, it can be a bit scary! Good luck and feel free to PM me if you need anything!

Curse having to have patience! :w00t: It's nice to know other people have the same bumps in the road, although I hadn't noticed the side boobs until you mentioned it! My arms need work anyway since my legs get all the workout love so I'll start some pushups and see how it goes from there. Hopefully I don't look like a flying squirrel much longer.

Same here: lots of loose flesh now that flops when I do bouncy exercises and put a strain on the muscle with the port in it. I actually found an old sports bra with the straps cut off and pulled down around my ribs worked fine. Just something to give a little extra support to that muscle area.

I've lost quite a bit in the past few months and I notice that some areas are thinning up faster than others and while I have no problem doing overall exercise to help the overall weight loss, I have to admit that the one area I'm currently horrified by is under my arms. I'm seriously afraid I will pull a flying squirrel if I move my arms wrong. I know I need to do more arm work to help tone the muscles in the tricep area to give support to my bat wings; anyone have some good advice on what worked for them? Thanks!

Ha! So very true. I actually do think the lap band is the easy way out and cheating. Then again, so is using a match to light a fire instead of rubbing twigs together. I'm going to use all the tools available to me to lose the weight I gained. If other people lose or maintain weight with just exercise, or strict diets, or prayer, I don't care. This is working for me and it would be really stupid for me to stay fatter longer just to show I could do it, or to set myself up for failure. I'll use what works, thanks.

You might need a better fill, but you could also reassess what you are eating and try and stick with what makes you feel fullest the longest. For me, I can eat ice cream, Cookies, crackers and popcorn without the slightest feeling of restriction. Raw spinach on the other hand, is a misery. But lean Proteins, nuts, fruits and most veggies stick just right. Those are the items I can eat the right portion of and feel full. And if I overindulge I most certainly feel it. Also, are you eating often enough? I found I was only eating the 1/2 cup portion during my old normal meal times and I was silly ravenous by the time those rolled around. Now I break up my eating times into at least 6 mini meals per day and I don't feel that outrageous hunger and exercising is easier.

Check the forum sections on removal and reversal and complications. Aside from the general surgery risks, you'll find people who've had the gamut of experiences from health problems that required an unwanted band removal, to people who are so tired of dealing with first bite issues they want the band removed, to people who have had horrid experiences with their nurses and surgeons. Also, remember that your surgeon is looking to make a profit, and while your health is certainly a consideration, it might not be their main motivator so: 1. Make sure your choice of surgeon and follow up care is well recommended and suits you. 2. Get a 2nd, or 3rd opinion on your suitability for the surgery, not just health wise, but habits wise (are you a binge ice cream eater who will just try and work around the lap band?) Overall, I think you'll find a very positive community here of people who are using the lap band as a tool combined with the support of others who have gone through the process. Good luck to you no matter what you decide!

It depends vastly on your surgeon and insurance. My insurance required 6 months of a supervised diet and exercise program. My surgeon required a EGD, counseling sessions, nutritionist visits and approval from my GP. My GP had his own host of requirements to make sure I was suitable for surgery, including of all random things, a normal pap smear. All told, my time from initial consult to surgery was 11 months. What did your insurance say was the reason?

I am sooo looking forward to regular sized clothing stores- congrats to you!

I saw a picture of myself today and for the first time in memory... I HAVE ONE CHIN! YAY! *dance*

I feel much, much more restricted about 48 hours before my period. And if you peek in the powder room section of the forums, you'll find this is very common. Not sure on how endo would affect this, but probably any hormone issues would make the flux in tightness more noticeable.

I have only found a few fill places in the biggest cities so actually the one you recommended in Korea is still much closer with that short little plane hop. Thanks again for all the info!