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).

Sorry I've been missing for so long. My gall bladder gave a few little warning twinges and then got really bad. On a Friday evening, of course! It's a long story, but eventually I did have surgery. The laparoscopic surgery was converted to an open surgery because the gall bladder had apparently attached itself to other things. Even after a week plus on antibiotics, it came out red and angry. Then when I got home, I got a case of cellulitis up and down my right side. Talk about painful! Every time I moved, it felt like boiling water was being poured on me. So I stayed immobile a lot. But the story doesn't end there. I got the staples out of my 10" incision, and steri strips on. When the steri strips finally came off, I rolled over in bed and felt that the sheets were wet. The incision split open. I got a nice ride in an ambulance at 5:30 AM. So I have been on a WoundVAC for several weeks to promote healing. It's much better, and I will be transitioning off of it shortly. The doctor at the wound clinic said I can transition to the wet-to-dry dressing any time. I was going to wait a few days, but that damn machine is driving me crazy. I nearly threw it out the window tonight. Since they do want it back intact, I think I'll switch to the other dressing. (rolling eyes)

Understandably, I haven't been on the computer much for nearly six weeks.

This year has been a real bitch. Maybe next year I'll actually be able to concentrate on weight loss. I hope.

omg........you poor baby. I had no idea you had been so sick. I watered your flowers on Farmtown, but I didn't know you were so down. I can understand your pain. I had a laparatomy in 2006 to remove a large lymphocele(damaged lympnode). After a week I ended up with a bowel obstruction then after three weeks I had cellulitis covering my abdomen. That thing must have drained for six weeks. Please take it slow and easy. Don't worry about your band right now. Those open surgeries take months to recover from. I am just glad you are on the mend again. This has really been a rough year for you.

I will keep you my my prayers.

HUGS!

Arlene

Orea -Iam so sorry you are having a terrible year. Hang in there and take it slow. We are always here for you.

As always thoughts and prayers are with you Orea, And here's too a better year!

Okay, Butterflies, I am off the wagon. I ate a cream horn today.........pastry filled with icing. Then I ate iced cookies. Oh, and then I ate some halloween candy. There, now, somebody chew my butt out so I will get back on the bandwagon.

Okay, Butterflies, I am off the wagon. I ate a cream horn today.........pastry filled with icing. Then I ate iced cookies. Oh, and then I ate some halloween candy. There, now, somebody chew my butt out so I will get back on the bandwagon.

STOP THAT RIGHT NOW!!!! STEP AWAY FROM THE CANDY AND PASTRIES!!!! :scared2:

Now, I must admit I am a big hypocrite. I have been consuming peanut butter pumpkins all week.

Thanks.............I needed that!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ALRIGHT, BOTH OF YOU TAKE A TIME OUT!!! We've worked way to hard to start that now.

It is hard when my husband is so SWEET to me...NOT!:thumbup: Read what he did to me LAST NIGHT!

Ok, I am now convinced my husband must secretly love torturing me, or he wants to keep me fat so no one will look at me. The man I have been married to for 19 years, came home with a 1 lb 10.8 oz bag of REESE'S PEANUT BUTTER PUMPKINS!!! I hear the possessed demon things calling me. I am right now trying to type this and still cover my ears.

cindy....cindy....cindy

Can you hear it?! AAARRRGGGGHHHHH:scared2:

I need help...or a divorce:crying:

LMAO! I know how it is when you have a sweet eater in the house. My DH is one. Every week I have to get him his goodies and to make it worse I watch him snack out every night. It can be really nerve racking. have you tried the Atkins indulge? They have peanut butter cups with only 3 net carbs and beleave it or not they are so yummy! I wouldn't want to eat them everyday or anything but every now and then it's a nice break. Oh! and don't divorce the hubby. They're men, they can't help it.:thumbdown:

Okay, this is a new start.............no more sweets!..........back on the bandwagon! Thanks! for the encouragement. I do want to lose more before my trip to Hawaii in December.

LMAO! I know how it is when you have a sweet eater in the house. My DH is one. Every week I have to get him his goodies and to make it worse I watch him snack out every night. It can be really nerve racking. have you tried the Atkins indulge? They have peanut butter cups with only 3 net carbs and beleave it or not they are so yummy! I wouldn't want to eat them everyday or anything but every now and then it's a nice break. Oh! and don't divorce the hubby. They're men, they can't help it.:thumbdown:

Oh no, hun, he bought them for ME, AS A SURPRISE!!!! Gee thanks, dear....reallly, I appreciate it. I do love him, AND those peanut butter pumpkins. :thumbup: I am just glad they are now gone and there won't be any to be found after Saturday. The stores never have extras. Two years ago that would make me angry, but today, I am thankful.

So can I just say I am doing the sweet stuff teo all the halloween candy and the peanut butter is my fav too oooooooooohhhhh

Okay lets regroup we can do this.

Back on track we go

Hey everyone! Been a little down on myself lately and I'm not sure why.

I think for the first time I've realized what a life long decision this was. I'm feeling pretty good (still some minor port soreness- all is well, checked with my doc) but for some reason I keep dwelling on my decision to get the band.

Anyone ever do this? I don't even know why I'm doing it! I feel great and I've lost 70lbs...who knows. I'm in a bit of a slump. Need some positive thoughts!

Thanks everyone!

Hey everyone! Been a little down on myself lately and I'm not sure why.

I think for the first time I've realized what a life long decision this was. I'm feeling pretty good (still some minor port soreness- all is well, checked with my doc) but for some reason I keep dwelling on my decision to get the band.

Anyone ever do this? I don't even know why I'm doing it! I feel great and I've lost 70lbs...who knows. I'm in a bit of a slump. Need some positive thoughts!

Thanks everyone!

Honey, I think we all go through

that from time to time. I'm always second guessing my band. I wonder often if I should have got the sleeve but I know this far the band was a good choice and so far it's working. It's alot of work sometimes and sometimes fustrating but I beleave if we stick togather we'll all make it. Lots of love comming your way :thumbup:

Hey Everyone..

Just wanted to let you know I had my baby.. its a BOY! he weighed 9lbs and was 21 inches.. His name is Josiah.

anyways.. back to the losing game for me!!

hope you all are well!