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).

Hello Butterflies, thought I'd drop in and say how glad I am that I had LAP-BAND® surgery.

I've lost 141 pounds. From 330 to 188 and life keeps getting better and better. I feel GOOD.

WOW!! You go girl!!

Hey girls.......how is going? Dr. Davis was pleased with my progress. He told me not to focus so much on carbs and protein as eating more fruits and vegetables. I gave him a sample of my eating and I only eat vegetables once a day. I didn't tell him I was going to do "Crack the Fat-Loss Code" eight week plan. The eating plan is basically like his only less carbs.

I joined LA Fitness and plan on starting tomorrow with water aerobics. In order to start losing again I will have to start using other muscles to confuse my body.....so the dietitian and the LA trainer told me. I am expecting some results in a month.

I will be checkin in. When you don't hear from me......check on Indiogirls thread......"I am here to help". I post on there too. Just jump on in and join us. Janet, aka indiogirl is really a good supporter......tough love too.

Hey all fly by post Started my new job today. Everything went well except the place is very dusty and unorganized. With my help they will not be for long. Also they so need to upgrade their 1 computer and there phone system.

Nothing is perfect. So all in all a good day did shakes today and tried a small chili could not even eat 3 bites and dinner did not stay in. Stress I guess but on what who knows.

All in all a good day.

Hey all fly by post Started my new job today. Everything went well except the place is very dusty and unorganized. With my help they will not be for long. Also they so need to upgrade their 1 computer and there phone system.

Nothing is perfect. So all in all a good day did shakes today and tried a small chili could not even eat 3 bites and dinner did not stay in. Stress I guess but on what who knows.

All in all a good day.

I am glad your first day went well. Keep an eye on that tightness, please. I would hate for you to stay too tight.:thumbup:

Melissa, Congrats! on your first day. You will get them in shape. I hope this job meets your needs. God is good!

So happy for you Melissa, You'll do great. Hope they know how lucky they are to have you!!!!

Okay so it will be a week tomorrow at my new job and I am bored to death. The only person that gives me things to do is the owner. I have cleaned that place as best as I can for a warehouse. It smells better and dust free as least for a little while. The place is right next to rail road tracks on a gravel road. They are hoarders I mean they have magazines and blank forms from companies they do not even deal with anymore as far back as 2000. OMG 10 years I mean some stuff you keep for 3-7 years depending on what it is but not stacks of magazines and junk. I would love to straigten out the boss and his wife's offices but I can't. I know some of you smoke which does not bother me but the wife insists on smoking in our bathroom and I always leave wanting to take a shower cause I smell like smoke and I and grimmy from the dust everywhere. I mean I have to take Zyrtec everyday. I also love dogs but there dog is blind and is always under your feet when you are walking I am afraid I am going to fall on her.

I feel terrible for complaining but what do I do? I can't really be on the computer playing games or read a book I have to be busy which I have played with the same excel sheets over and over again and read the same manuals over and over. Oh and they like to recycle stuff and not throw things out but when you are using a file folder (like the ones that have slots for each letter of the alphabet) and it has been taped glued and stapled to stay closed I mean give me a break I will by a new one throw it out already.

Also they have an outdated computer system no antivirus really to speak of and they are using old versions of excel, word and powerpoint.

My friends tell me to stick it out because it is easier to find a job when you already have one. I thought this company was something more than it was it sounded good I would be doing so much they really sold me crap.

Sorry to vent like this but I can't post this anywhere else where someone on FB might see oh and I have not told my DH cause he really stresses but my mother - in - law knows maybe I need to through in the towel and go back into retail.

Vent away my Dear, We all need to. It's what keeps us going.

Vent away my Dear, We all need to. It's what keeps us going.

If that is not the truth. Oh I will not quit I will also have a job lined up first I need a job just like everyone else. With time it should get better.

I understand where your coming from, I use to teach Cosmatology and do hair and I quit to work for my DH and I don't like to admit this but I HATE it. It's boring and I'm not use to sitting at a desk all day, I find NO challenge in it. But he needs someone there to watch his back because he just can't keep up on everything by his self so I do what I have to do. I hope it gets better for you soon.

I understand where your coming from, I use to teach Cosmatology and do hair and I quit to work for my DH and I don't like to admit this but I HATE it. It's boring and I'm not use to sitting at a desk all day, I find NO challenge in it. But he needs someone there to watch his back because he just can't keep up on everything by his self so I do what I have to do. I hope it gets better for you soon.

Thanks so much for understanding cause my family is giving me a hard time

Hey ALL still hanging in there no Dr appt yet just trying to take it easy. Thank you all for all of the advice.

Oh and things are getting busier at work I guess some of you were right they just had to make sure I was right for the job. They are giving me alot more to do now.

I'm really glad things are picking up for you. As for me all is well I gain a couple and then I lose a couple but as for now the maintaining seems to be working out.

Hey Butterflies......FYI.....just wanted y'all to know I am going to Vegas to meet the peeps on "I'm here to Help" thread. We need to save our pennies and meet somewhere. Lets start at least thinking about it maybe late next summer. Anyway, I will fill you in when I get back. Melissa, I know you are reading all our posts. I read them all last year when they met in Florida. That's right.....you were going to go, but had to cancel. Well, we need to do something next year. HUGS! to All!

I would love to meet everybody. I feel so close to you all even though we never really met in person