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).

Well, I went out shopping and got weak, so, I ordered a small side salad with grilled chicken. I can have that once in awhile. OMG, I could only eat about half a cup of salad and a few bites of chicken. So, if you want to tighten up your band go on shakes for two days. I will only do that when I am out and can't drink a shake. I just can hardly believe how tight I am.

OMG! I hate when I get weak like that. I always keep a protein bar in my bag just for those times. Glad your band is giveng you more restriction, It really hrlps alot when you have proper restriction. keep up the good work girl.

just a quick note to say hi and to try and work up the effort to re-connect with the band world. Mine is a long and complicated story and I am slowly gaining back weight due to complications in my life and with my band. I need to somehow get motivated again and hope that youall will give me the hope and support I need to do this. I had originally lost 65 lbs and was 15lbs from goal and as of today I have gained 22 of those lbs back. will tell you more of the details another day when I have more time. Just jumped on for a minute to see what was going on with some of the other july 08 bandsters and how they were doing. Sounds like you all are all doing great and keep up the good work and I know somehow I'll get back on board. I don't want all of this to have been for nothing. Thanks, Jenhay

Jenhay, We are all here for you. We try to help each other through our struggles no matter what they are. Just stick with it and it will all be worth it in the end. Sorry you've had a hard time but today is a new day and any day can be a new begining. So here's to you and your new start.

Thanks for the support Kimaly. I used to get on LB Talk almost daily for a year and it did help. I also kept an online food journal and really need to get back to that. I had to have a total unfill this past Nov. I had been at almost perfect restriction and was losing steadily but had a very traumatic tragedy happen in our family and I was in total shock and couldn't eat for a week. When I did come around and try to eat, the stress had tightened my band to the point where I could hardly swallow water. I had lost 12 lbs in 10 days and looked like death warmed over. So had to have a total unfill and have slowly been trying to get back to where I was before but my dr. wants me to take it slow but I obsessing over this weight gain but can't seem to get motivated like I was before.

Thanks for the support Kimaly. I used to get on LB Talk almost daily for a year and it did help. I also kept an online food journal and really need to get back to that. I had to have a total unfill this past Nov. I had been at almost perfect restriction and was losing steadily but had a very traumatic tragedy happen in our family and I was in total shock and couldn't eat for a week. When I did come around and try to eat, the stress had tightened my band to the point where I could hardly swallow water. I had lost 12 lbs in 10 days and looked like death warmed over. So had to have a total unfill and have slowly been trying to get back to where I was before but my dr. wants me to take it slow but I obsessing over this weight gain but can't seem to get motivated like I was before.

Glad you are back! So sorry you have gone through trials that have impaired your health. Yep, we are here for you.

I have been on a liquid protein diet since Tuesday. It has been tough. I replace my shake a few times, and boy am I tight. Anyway, I am dropping weight. I can tell by my clothes. I weigh on Wednesday. I will be checking in.

Kimaly, I like the Vanilla Pro Joe, but not the Mocha. I did not know Adkins made one. I do put it in my coffee because I just like a coffee taste. If I find out any good tips I will share. One thing I do know......there is no Majic Pill for weightloss. Dang it!!!!

Your telling me. I went to a cook out yesterday for my sons 29th birthday and there wae nothing I could eat so I went to the car and got some carrot stix and a little later I drank a pro joe and some of the girls started asking question about why I eat like I do. I"m not shy about having a band and don't mind telling anyone but I hate that the confersation always goes in that dirrection and I find myself explaining it over and over again. I told my DD I was just gonna have it printed on a shirt so I could wear it to any gathering that food was involved.LOL

Thanks for the support Kimaly. I used to get on LB Talk almost daily for a year and it did help. I also kept an online food journal and really need to get back to that. I had to have a total unfill this past Nov. I had been at almost perfect restriction and was losing steadily but had a very traumatic tragedy happen in our family and I was in total shock and couldn't eat for a week. When I did come around and try to eat, the stress had tightened my band to the point where I could hardly swallow water. I had lost 12 lbs in 10 days and looked like death warmed over. So had to have a total unfill and have slowly been trying to get back to where I was before but my dr. wants me to take it slow but I obsessing over this weight gain but can't seem to get motivated like I was before.

Welcome Back we are all here for you so ask as much questions as you like so we can help you back on track

I have been on a liquid protein diet since Tuesday. It has been tough. I replace my shake a few times, and boy am I tight. Anyway, I am dropping weight. I can tell by my clothes. I weigh on Wednesday. I will be checking in.

Charlene - I am glad this is working for you hang in there girl.

Well as for me

I got my .4cc removed now I feel better but now I can eat stuff I could not eat before like bread.

Okay I need to control what I eat better. At least I have no more acid reflux. He still wants me to stay 1000 cal or below to keep losing. He said exercise (which I stopped really since Jan) and of If I go back to exercising hard core again weights and stuff I can bump up cal max 1200. So I bought some more protein shakes and yogurt and soups with protein I will start journaling and continue reading my beck book.

Oh I cahnaged my ticker because I gained 4 pounds I need to be truthful with my self and all you that help me.

Welcome Back we are all here for you so ask as much questions as you like so we can help you back on track

Charlene - I am glad this is working for you hang in there girl.

Well as for me

I got my .4cc removed now I feel better but now I can eat stuff I could not eat before like bread.

Okay I need to control what I eat better. At least I have no more acid reflux. He still wants me to stay 1000 cal or below to keep losing. He said exercise (which I stopped really since Jan) and of If I go back to exercising hard core again weights and stuff I can bump up cal max 1200. So I bought some more protein shakes and yogurt and soups with protein I will start journaling and continue reading my beck book.

Oh I cahnaged my ticker because I gained 4 pounds I need to be truthful with my self and all you that help me.

You Go Girl!!!!.....sounds like we have SPRING in our step again. Let's try to meet our July Goals!

OMG my July goal 17 pounds time to work my a@@ off and get moving I want below 200 but in my head I am scared of what I do not know but I am.

Tuesday weigh in- WOO HOO! a 2lb week.

Tuesday weigh in- WOO HOO! a 2lb week.

Congrats!!!!!! WTG!!!

Very nice kimaly!

Thank you very much.