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).

Just dropping by to fuss a little, Well maybe not fuss just whine I guess. I'm trying to quit smoking and man I'm grouchy, Does this horrible feeling go away? I know nic only stays in your system for about 72hrs so why is it still so terrible after that? I swear I can't even focus on antthing else. And I feel like I could cry at the drop of a hat. Boy I hope this passes soon. Anyway thanks for letting me vent.

Just dropping by to fuss a little, Well maybe not fuss just whine I guess. I'm trying to quit smoking and man I'm grouchy, Does this horrible feeling go away? I know nic only stays in your system for about 72hrs so why is it still so terrible after that? I swear I can't even focus on antthing else. And I feel like I could cry at the drop of a hat. Boy I hope this passes soon. Anyway thanks for letting me vent.

Vent away.....that is why we are here.....to support you. It is tough. You can do this! Just take one day at a time and keep focused on the rewards. At least you have the band to keep you from gaining weight.

Thanks again for all the great comments. I too went shopping in my closet and found two outfits to wear on the cruise I just took.... Have lost 30 lbs and beat myself up that it is not enought but that is okay when I read your stuff.... did not gain a lb on my cruise.... so fun... and felt proud to wear a bathing suit and sit in the sun... I am at the gym twice a week for a sit fit class and a water aerobics class. it make a difference but now I think I am at a plateau and considering a personal trainer to help me with weights... Muscle burns calories I hear. still having trouble with the icons and stuff and even changing my msg.. but I am here... Dr. Woodhead, Delta B.C. p forgetting the size.

Kimaly, Chantix really helps with the all those physical cravings and the added bonus of making the cigarettes taste like crap if you try to smoke it.

Kimaly, Chantix really helps with the all those physical cravings and the added bonus of making the cigarettes taste like crap if you try to smoke it.

yes my brother used that and he is smoke free now after many many failed attempts..

Just an update.. things are going well with me.. I am sicker than sick.. but not as bad as with my first so far.. I havent tossed my cookies yet.. so here's to hoping I dont!

I have been checking up on all of you.. keep up the good work!!

yes my brother used that and he is smoke free now after many many failed attempts..

Just an update.. things are going well with me.. I am sicker than sick.. but not as bad as with my first so far.. I havent tossed my cookies yet.. so here's to hoping I dont!

I have been checking up on all of you.. keep up the good work!!

When are you due? I hope the sickness gets better really quick.

When are you due? I hope the sickness gets better really quick.

thanks.. I am due Oct 22nd. :thumbup:

Hello All,

Quick question to those who have trouble sleeping.

Before surgery I took Ambien and had no trouble with the sid effects you hear about now.. After I had surgery I had no trouble falling asleep so I never took anything.Then alot of stressful events have happen and I had trouble falling asleep again. So I tried benadryl then nothing happened. So I went back to Ambien then I started sleep eating my husband said. What the heck! Does anyone else have this problem? Or can anyone give me any ideas to help me sleep with out the Ambien?

My problem is as soon as I hit my pillow my brain tuend on with everything I need to do the next day.

I have heard stories of people sleep walking, eating, and driving. I listen to Kidd Kraddick in the morning and he used to take it. He sent emails while asleep and one night his wife found him working out in the home gym naked. :scared2:

:w00t: Ok this may not be far into onderland but I just do not care, it is still there; my number this morning was on the scale was ...

199.8 :thumbup:

Needless to say I am freaking ecstatic.

Congratulations!!! You can beat I will post the moment mine goes down there too!

:w00t: Ok this may not be far into onderland but I just do not care, it is still there; my number this morning was on the scale was ...

199.8 :thumbup:

Needless to say I am freaking ecstatic.

WTG! :tt2: :tongue2: :thumbup:

Hello All,

Quick question to those who have trouble sleeping.

Before surgery I took Ambien and had no trouble with the sid effects you hear about now.. After I had surgery I had no trouble falling asleep so I never took anything.Then alot of stressful events have happen and I had trouble falling asleep again. So I tried benadryl then nothing happened. So I went back to Ambien then I started sleep eating my husband said. What the heck! Does anyone else have this problem? Or can anyone give me any ideas to help me sleep with out the Ambien?

My problem is as soon as I hit my pillow my brain tuend on with everything I need to do the next day.

Wow, this could be dangerous with the band. I mean when you're sleep eating, you don't have a clue what you're eating and whether you are chewing well enough. You don't want to endanger the band by stretching your pouch or causing a slip. Do you exercise? When I exercise regularly and for at least 45 minutes a day, I find sleep comes very easily.

:w00t: Ok this may not be far into onderland but I just do not care, it is still there; my number this morning was on the scale was ...

199.8 :thumbup:

Needless to say I am freaking ecstatic.

I'd be freaking out too! AWESOME!

Thank you everyone, went to the mall today. It was nice strolling around the mall in my nicely fitting size 16's knowing I am under 200. :thumbup:

WTG! :thumbup: :w00t: :tt2:

Wow, this could be dangerous with the band. I mean when you're sleep eating, you don't have a clue what you're eating and whether you are chewing well enough. You don't want to endanger the band by stretching your pouch or causing a slip. Do you exercise? When I exercise regularly and for at least 45 minutes a day, I find sleep comes very easily.

Yes I exercise but in the morning. This is two times a week for an hour then I walk during my 15 minute break at work. I actually am tired when I get home but as soon as my head hits the pillow its like my brain turns on and won't be quite.