Hi everyone--I thought I'd listen to some advice from one of the other monthly groups and start one master thread in which we have an ongoing discussion/updates. I don't know about you all but I certainly spend most of my time on these boards on the pre-op forum and the general forum, not here. It would be nice to have just one thread to go to once in this forum.

We can maybe start out with introductions?

As for me, I'm going the "online privacy" route for now (paranoid that people I haven't told about this will somehow stumble across me on this site I guess, which is crazy, I know) but I can give you the big picture:

You can call me Penny, I'm 27, single and live in the Washington, DC area. I have a background in politics (which is why I live in DC) but now I'm a librarian which is much cooler and way more fun (trust me on that). Oh, and there's no "Marion the Librarian" thing with me either. One of the things I hear most frequently (besides the cliche "you have such a pretty face") is "but you don't LOOK like a librarian", which is another one of those bizarre backhanded compliments that you never really know how to take.

Personality wise, I'm kind of dorky, big into public radio and books and popular science. Oh, I'm also a little on the paranoid side (as you may be able to tell from earlier in this post). Beyond that I'm just kind of silly and friendly, VERY much so into traveling and I'm an aspiring "green" domestic diva (but that's not going so well).

I have a question about Daily Plate: I see where you can add a whole serving of something to your intake, but is there a way you can tell them you only ate half of it? Three meatballs instead of six, for example?

I have a question about Daily Plate: I see where you can add a whole serving of something to your intake, but is there a way you can tell them you only ate half of it? Three meatballs instead of six, for example?

On the computer you highlight the serving then just update it.....like put in .50 for half then click on update. On the Ipod it is under Livestrong....there is a place to click on the amont.

I remember you miss Trudeip! Congrats on your wtloss! Thank you for posting what you do - I am always curious as what other banders are doing daily to lose wt.

I remember you miss Trudeip! Congrats on your wtloss! Thank you for posting what you do - I am always curious as what other banders are doing daily to lose wt.

Congrats on your weight loss you have done excellent :laugh:

Went shopping at Wal-Mart today and decided it was time to get some new jeans - was wearing 16W but they were way too big, kept having to pull them up. Well my niece convinced me to try a size 16 - and they fit, and fit very nicely I must say. This is the first time in I do not know how long I have a pair of jeans without a letter behind the size :laugh: I have to admit to trying them on again when I got home and just staring at myself in the mirror and saying you know what I DO look good.

Congratulations! I don't know if I will ever get out of the W stage. I will be satisfied with a 14/16 W. I am an 18/20 now. Anything past the 14/16 will be a bonus for me. I started as a tight 26/28!

Congratulations! I don't know if I will ever get out of the W stage. I will be satisfied with a 14/16 W. I am an 18/20 now. Anything past the 14/16 will be a bonus for me. I started as a tight 26/28!

I hear ya! I was a tight 26/28 and I just bought a 18-20 jacket (1x). My goal is a 14/16, but I don't know if I will ever get out of the w's either. We can only hope.

Well, I am going out this evening for a piece of cake to celebrate my B-day.......yep....it happens once a year. I just want to be at goal before I turn 60.

Truedip and Capitol Chick, welcome back!

WTG Truedip on getting out of the Ws.

I finally got out of the XLs. I'm wearing Large Petites for tops and 12P/14P for pants/skirts.

I've been wearing a very baggy 16 jeans for a while. I decided to go to old navy last week because they had jeans on sale for $19. I got a size 14 and a size 12(for later on). I get home to try on the 14s and they fit a little loose. I decided to try on the 12s and they fit fine. I was so excited.

I hear ya! I was a tight 26/28 and I just bought a 18-20 jacket (1x). My goal is a 14/16, but I don't know if I will ever get out of the w's either. We can only hope.

Well, I am going out this evening for a piece of cake to celebrate my B-day.......yep....it happens once a year. I just want to be at goal before I turn 60.

Happy birthday!

I've been wearing a very baggy 16 jeans for a while. I decided to go to old navy last week because they had jeans on sale for $19. I got a size 14 and a size 12(for later on). I get home to try on the 14s and they fit a little loose. I decided to try on the 12s and they fit fine. I was so excited.

I can imagine how excited you were. I was actually quite scared when I was trying on the size 16 jeans, I wanted them to fit so badly but I am so accustomed to them not fitting in the past, when they did fit and were not tight oh my godness....:confused:

Happy birthday!

Thanks Orea! Well, I am scheduled for a fill this thursday, but my 35yr old son is having shoulder surgery. Since he is single(divorced) I am taking him so I will have to cancel. Hopefully they can fit me in next week. It's weird. Some days I feel I can eat anything.....other days.....two bites and I am almost stuck. Anyway, I think my band needs tweeking. Do any of you put on weight in the spring and summer? The weather is in the 80's here and I have put on a couple of lbs.

Do you think the heat may cause you to retain water? Are you drinking enough to make up for more perspiration? Are more calories or carbs sneaking in?

Orea, I have always retained fluid in warm weather.....not as bad as it used to be now that I have cut my carbs down. I have not been getting in all my water. I will increase it today. I got an appt for a fill next monday, so I want to lose at least a couple of lbs before I see the dr.

Good luck!