I put the sensor on my upper buttocks bulge (nice meaty place) closer to my hip, just below my underwear line. When you tighten up you buttocks you will see what I mean. I get about the same life as the Dexcom recommended abdomen site but I love that it is it covered and protected by my underwear and it is out of site, even with just shorts on. The only issue I found is sleeping on my side with the sensor. I also clean the area first with an alcohol wipe, then use Skinprep before applying the sensor, and lastly use Flexifix to tape around the edges. This method can keep a sensor attached for 3 to 4 weeks without any adhesion problems.
I guess what surprises me is that this location doesn't seem that common? Maybe because it is hard for some people to reach around to attach it?
I did a trial where I switched back a forth between my abdomen and buttocks several times and found no difference in accuracy, reliability, or sensor life. This is my findings but it may not be the same for you. I think the more "meaty" you are the more options you have for sites, but I am pretty lean and my buttocks is one of the few alternate sites I can use effectively.
Only thing I can recommend is to switch back and forth from the recommended abdomen site and the other site(s) you want to try until you gain that confidence, but I would try it several times. If a sensor has problems on an alternate sites in the first week Dexcom will still replace it. I also found if a sensor works well the first couple of days it is usually good to go the rest of it's life.
Another thing I didn't mention is that I like to insert a new sensor and let it acclimate for 8 to 12 hours rather than just the 2 hours start sensor time. I have tried just 2 hours and only about half the time are the readings well behaved from the start but if I wait the longer time they are almost always consistent from the start unless it is a bad sensor. I've heard this from several other people and I also found this true.
That was interesting! And I've heard that many find upper arms best when it comes to accuracy. (Will probably not try abdomen, since I probably will find it to be in my way... :)) But the back could be something to try. I have thought more that the more meaty the site is then it works less fine...
