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).

Did a bad thing yesterday.........made Neiman Marcus bars for my grand daughter's birthday and ate a bunch. I gained two lbs. Some habits just don't die. I still have the mindset that holidays and birthdays are the exception to eating sliders. Now, I will have to work all week to get it off.

It sounds like we're in the same boat. I had a housefull yesterday for Sunday lunch and make brisket and 7 layer bars. I should never make anything I like to eat. My problem is I like everything and love to cook. Tomorrow is a new day, and I send most of the leftovers home with my kids (even the bars). Hang in there, we'll make it.

Okay, July Butterflies...........one more month! Keep checking in!

It's been a long long time (Jan) since I checked in and it's great o see your progress. Some people are stalling and certainly for us all it appears the weight loss is slowing, especially for those of us on the final 20-30lb. I've been keeping my blog updated all year but overall things have been terrific. It's only 7 weeks until the bandiversary but I see this journey as starting on the day I started Optiyuk 17th July 2008. I've lost 53lb since then (24kg) and feel like a new woman.

Funniest thing is the smaller I become the more visible to the world I am! Take care, all. Melanie:thumbup:

Hello everyone!

My bandiversay will be July 17th. I love my band - it was a real launching point in my life. I started at 200 pounds and am now 155 pounds. i wear a size 8 and look great. i have a new job and am proud of my exercise routine and running . Although, I am currently in a cast with an ankle injury- I know I will be running again soon.

I plan to loss another 15 pounds and I know it will take a little longer as I get closer to goal.

I hope everyone is doing great. Keep working the band. Lynn

Checking in...need a fill, but going on a cruise on the 19th and afraid of being too tight due to plane ride and on the ship without access to my doctors. So afraid I'll gain on the trip, but more afraid of possible complications if I get a fill now before the trip. Any advice?

Nice to see some of you ladies we haven't heard from in awhile. Looks like everone is doing well and on track. Dianne, I can only speak for myself but I would wait for the fill. You wouldn't want to ruin your trip by being to full and miserable the whole time. Have a great time no matter what you decide.

I saw Dr. Tran again today and got 1 cc. added. He expects me to be pretty tight, told me to do liquids for three days and even longer if I think I need to, and to come in tomorrow afternoon if I think I am too tight. So far all of the liquids are going down just fine, just a little slower, and I'm optimistically thinking that this may be the one. I promised Dr. Tran I would be careful, and I will. I know what is at stake.

DH is still job hunting. We are still going through our 32 years of stuff and donating/tossing/ reorganizing/boxing in case of a move. I'm really ready for this to be over.

And I am ready to start losing the weight ai put on this last six weeks and make some real progress for a change. I am viewing my bandiversary with dismay. I had hoped for and expected so much more in the first year. Oh, well. We deal with where we are and move onward.

My computer got some kind of virus on it so it is being worked on. SO this is a quick hello.

I am doing well. unfornately we had some bad news on Memorial day a dear long time friend was killed in an auto accident so my hubby went to Texas to pay his respects. It sucks that such wonderful people are taken all too soon.

Things have slowed down now that he has been back so I can concentrate back on me and my progress.

i have not read the recent posts but I hope everyone and there families are doing well.

I went with DH for his pre-op tests and to see Dr. Garth. I asked Dr Davis about Big Medicine. For right now the networks are going to run the existing episodes. He does not know if there will be more. I asked his PA how many calories I should be eating and he said 800 c .........six meals........1/2 cup each meal. Wow! I am going way over that. He said when I get the right restriction that I would be satisfied at 1/2 cup. I go next week for another fill. I am so glad everyone is doing so well. We WILL be successful!

Okay, butterflies.........it's been two days since I posted........not anything to report other than I am eating less, but I have not weighed. So, just checking in to say HI! HI!

I haven't gotten on the scale yet since my fill on Thursday. I'm supposed to be on liquids still, but I am throwing in a few mushies like applesauce, and it is going down fine, but much slower!!!! Woohooo! I'm really going to have to pay attention now; my habits have suffered with the loss of restriction recently. How quickly we forget!

Anyhow, I continue to be optimistic. This feels like a fill level that will work for me.

Hi Butterflies! Things have been really good for me with the band. I am in single digit clothes again for the first time in 10 -11 years. I have been buying replacements at the consignment stores as I haven't finished quite yet. I am "normal" BMI, and still a month to go. I wish you all continued success as we get closer to finishing what we started. One month till bandiversary!!!

Hi Butterflies! Things have been really good for me with the band. I am in single digit clothes again for the first time in 10 -11 years. I have been buying replacements at the consignment stores as I haven't finished quite yet. I am "normal" BMI, and still a month to go. I wish you all continued success as we get closer to finishing what we started. One month till bandiversary!!!

AWESOME! I haven't seen single digit clothes in 40 years. I figure it will take me two years to reach my personal goal. Now that DH is on a liquid diet I don't have to cook and staying on track is much easier.

we had some bad news on Memorial day a dear long time friend was killed in an auto accident so my hubby went to Texas to pay his respects. It sucks that such wonderful people are taken all too soon

So sorry to hear, It really does suck. Thoughts and prayers are with all.