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).

Charlene, You and I are at the same fill level and you have had 9 fills and I have had 3. I really think it's up to the surgeon But from what I understand it is better to do the small fills. But I'm self pay, Maybe that's why she puts more in at a time. I really don't know but will be sure to ask next time I see her.

Charlene, You and I are at the same fill level and you have had 9 fills and I have had 3. I really think it's up to the surgeon But from what I understand it is better to do the small fills. But I'm self pay, Maybe that's why she puts more in at a time. I really don't know but will be sure to ask next time I see her.

Kimaly, that is true. I have a very sensitive digestive system due to all the adhesions and colon surgeries. Looking back, had i known it took so long to reach a "sweet spot" I may have opted for a sleeve. I just didn't want to pay for it. Oh well, I will just work with this band. I have lost almost 50% of my excess weight so I guess I am normal for the first year. I am pleased.

They put in 3 ccs after it was too lose and they use the xray machine. I was at 42 lbs. lost but I have gained 10.

I have made another appt. for a well known doctor but I can't get in until Nov. 5th! The band is still not tight enough with this last fill I can eat anything.

The band was too tight for months and months and they took at the stuff out that was thicker and put in saline last week at 4 ccs. It was too lose and when I went back in that is when they put in 3 ccs.

Another doctor office called and they said they don't do realize band fills but he could give me a consultation for $300!!!!!!!

This sucks!

Good Morning Butterflies! We only have a couple of more days till July. The 16th is my bandiversary. What is yours? Are you at goal or do you have more to lose? I need to lose 80lb.

Hi everyone and PennyLane. I just had my lapband inserted on 06-17-09 and I will be getting my first fill on 07-07-09 and I can't wait. The fluids diet until the mushies have been torture for me but I have lost 10lbs so far so that really gives me incentive and I have begun to eat really really runny tuna and that has helped a lot. I just keep at it and am watching the scale go down instead of up for a change! Having a great surgeon is so important in this process. If you have someone that looks down on your and ruins your self esteem, you are doomed before you start. I must say that my surgeon has been nothing but wonderful and her staff is always helpful and great. I am truly blessed in that regard. But I did my homework and went to seminars and found someone I felt was right for me and that someone happened to be a femal surgeon which I think also helps. There are many of them out there and this is a lifelong committment so make sure you are happy with your surgeon before you start. It makes all the difference in my humble opinion. Good Luck to you.

My bandiversary is July 4th. I would like to lose 20-30 more.

Just had ice cream 2 times out of 7 days. That is really good for me glad I can eat normal foods with my band loser!

My bandiversary is july 8th and I would like to lose about 35 more lbs by the end of the year.

My bandiversary date is July 14th. I have lost 80lbs, but I still have more to lose. I am happy for right now and will lose more as soon as I get off my lazy butt and exercise. I would like start losing 5 lbs a month until at least the end of the year.

I think we have all done awesome in one year. Yeah, I think 5lbs a month is a good goal. That is what I was doing until March and now it is up three down three. I admit I am eating more.

Good Morning Butterflies! We only have a couple of more days till July. The 16th is my bandiversary. What is yours? Are you at goal or do you have more to lose? I need to lose 80lb.

I was banded July 16th as well. I've lost around 55lbs. I'm a very slow loser. I go for my third fill in two weeks,

so I hope that will kick start my weight loss again. I would like to lose about 50 to 60 more lbs. I have just

reached a goal of running 1 mile I would like to get up to 3. Baby steps. I was very excited to run the mile I have

never run one lap around the track let alone 4. Keep up

all the good work ladies.

my band date is 7/22/09 and 70lbs down and 22lbs to go. Also lazy and need to exercise.

Edited June 28, 200917 yr by kimaly

Hey Kimaly can you tell me what an average food day is for you. I'm struggling with my weight loss. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong.

This is sad - my fills are included in my banding price and I've only had fills, no unfills. I'm so happy with my band. Surely you need to see a specialist and get it sorted so you can reap benefits of the investment in your self?

Mel

Hey Kimaly can you tell me what an average food day is for you. I'm struggling with my weight loss. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong.

OK, My work days differ a little from home days so I'll start with work days:Decafe coffee and a EAS protein drink

midmorning: pure protein bar

lunch: a mix of deli meat baked ham, peppered turkey,

cajin chicken about 4 to 6oz

Dinner:same as lunch but add 2 to 3 oz of steamed

vegs And cut meat down to 3oz also try to get in 40 to 60 oz of through out the day.

non work: b:half whole wheat english muffin toasted twice (so it doesn't get stuck) topped w/lowfat cheese and deli ham cut in ribbons and topped with a poached egg YUM!

L:tuna w/ mustard instead of mayo and special K crackers

D: chicken breast cooked in crockpot w/buffalo wing seasoning(McCormick) a little lf sour cream on the side 2oz steamed greenbeans and make sure to get in water. Switch it up here and there but that would be a normal day.

Also I sneak in a dessert every now and then, I get them from the cook yourself thin cookbook. Alot of yummy recipes in there.