Quote from: ShortyMcShort on September 25, 2014, 06:19:39 AMSo externals only is the same price as LON/LATN? China does seem more expensive now than all those years back when it was like the Nissan GTR in that it was the bargain of the century. With $33,000 or so I could do the entire lengthening and consolidation phase(9-10 months) in either India or Russia and stay at a hotel or hospital respectively... Where as China is an extra $1,500 a month on top
Still a decent price for LON/LATN I guess
I see china really as a single product at a package price and that is tibia lengthening (not femurs) with LATN for as long as you need 
That's not to say you can't get femurs done or negotiate with extra months and no nail but their speciality is the above.
Long John Silver in the Orient - Dr Xia
Was talking about externals only on tibias, not femurs. I would never do externals only femurs 
So I agree with your statement above
Ronne took me to a part of the hospital in what looked like a corporate executive office to wait for prof Xia.
We sat beside each other on single leather chairs in front of a huge expensive desk with nothing on it. I felt like we were in a judges chambers awaiting a private hearing with the judge.
Professor Xia arrived in and ronne introduced me. He has no English. I stood to shake hands and noticed he is taller than me and looks like a strong 170 and a sturdy 60 something man with good posture. He smiled and seemed amused that I was shorter than him and used his hand sideways moving up and down to emphasise the differences. I smiled too but wondered is this really surprising ? He asked how much I wanted to lengthen and said adjustments would be made along the way to ensure non-descrepancy. He recommended I do tibia and spent some time feeling, pressing and measuring my lower legs. He then left for 5 minutes and returned with a tall young man, I presume an apprentice and had the young man place external fixators on my legs and then fitted very well in length and circumference (I have thick calves).
When we left his office ronne asked me to wait in the hall outside as she needed to take a call and would collect me in 10 minutes to bring me back to my room. She had only left me for a minute when a young Chinese women introduced herself as Jennifer and asked me if I was going to have the surgery. When I said yes , she took me into a small room and she told me she wanted to be taller (she's already 165 so I'm surprised) but was very frightened and couldn't decide to commit and could she visit me after the operation. I said of course and we swapped phone numbers. I like her and with her little English and my mandarin we can chat. Later we become SMS buddies.
Instead of incurring SMS/testing charges the 'wechat' iPhone application is popular with young Chinese folks as once youre within wifi range your messages are free. Already I have 35 new Chinese friends 10 of whom I found using the 'discover' option
Great story so far LittleLiam. Professor Xia's office seems to have improved since I was there. It was about as dumpy as the rest of Guang Ji Hospital when I got to visit him.
The Chinese are very conscious of their reputation for being short, which should explain some of Professor Xia's reaction and Jennifer's wanting to do the surgery even at 165cm. Tall people in China definitely have more opportunities open to them, especially when it comes to dealing with the outside world. International students and people in customer service positions "somehow" are all quite taller than the average Chinese person.
Thursday 18 September
Could have had the operation this day but proposed friday 19 as my preference and used this day to shop for things I'll need during recovery and 'rest up'.
My maid yangjie took me by taxi to Walmart and she followed my shopping list converter to Chinese characters.
Ronne had also suggested a range of tinned foods (like kidney beans) for consumption after the operation during those days in a semi stupor and not able to eat full meals. You won't be able to go and do a poo for 4 or 5 days afterwards.
I wandered around myself adding various fruits and veg into the trolley and found some bargains (t-shirts for 15 rmb )
I spent close to 400 rmb and we were laden down with plastic bags walking for a taxi. Trolleys not allowed out to the car park!
We then drove to a mobile shop to buy a sim or 50 rmb.
When I returned to the hospital after cleaning up I went alone to the canteen and had a substantial meal of chicken legs, various Vegetables, soup, leeks and more.
About 8pm Doctor Ma (who would operate on me ) took me to the private room of a Chinese guy in his mid thirties who was at 3 centimeters and had good English to translate the contract.
The Chinese patient told me he was calling it a day at 3 and was going home ! He originally planned 7.5 but said his skin was too sensitive and between infections and soreness at pin points he had decided to get the rods inserted and go home. He showed me his x-rays.
Friday 19 September - the operation
I awoke at six and felt nervous as hell about the operation. As usual here, you don't know basic things like your operation time etc. in any case I went to the toilet and fully relieved myself (1 and 2) and showered. I then waited and waited until two nurses came in and said 'operation'.
I made it clear to Dr. Ma that I wanted a full anesthetic and not an epidural which appears to be the norm
I was wheeled into the operating room and in addition to Dr. Ma and another doctor (don't know his name yet) were two anesthetists (I think). I was asked if my teeth were real and when I said yes the drip was inserted. Heart monitor was put in place and for about 5 minutes I was conscious and relatively relaxed.
Next thing I remember I am back in my room and the operation is complete and I can feel my legs.
It's Friday evening and I'm responding to the best wishes messages on WeChat including a long one from Jennifer. My maid has moved into my room to sleep on the couch beside me !
The two Chinese patients next door (femur and tibia) have come in for a chat. My roommate is talking a lot but I'd rather have peace and quiet. A small Chinese girl (aged 19) comes in on a wheelchair to 'wish me well' and 'keep me company'. I converse with her for about 40 minutes as her English is very good and we get on well together. Some people from other rooms appear also 'to have a look at me' , lifting my lower blankett to see my legs. Later this happens again on occasion where a complete stranger with no English comes in to look at me and my legs.....very strange.
Sounds like fun. You can do the same to them once you start feeling better, just going around from room to room looking around and talking to random people.
How are the external femur patients over there doing?
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