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).

Hey Everyone!

I just got some notices of replies to this thread, had to do some updating of my profile. We are approaching the 2 yr mark since my Dad passed, man I miss him! But I know he'd be so proud of how much I have lost! I have a wonderful man in my life now, who not only supports and encourages me, but loves me inspite of having had a dbl mastectomy w/reconstruction...he thinks I am the sexiest woman he has ever met! Gotta love that, eh?!

So the update on my lapband...I had been sick for about 4 wks with some retched cold and since then I had some really bad issues with acid reflux, got on Nexium, helped for abit but then it didnt seem to be working, looked up online about reflux and the lapband and found it could be due to a slippage and so I went in and we found I had a slippage. Grrrr, so my doc removed the 4 cc's of fluid (he was astounded that I only had 2 fills since my surgery) But as soon as he did I felt the relief! He said most times it corrects itself and then they can refill. I have to be honest, I really didnt realize how sick my tummy was and how much I really wasnt eating! I probably lost the last 10pds due to this issue...but since he removed the fluid in the band I have been eating and gained back those 10pds in 4wks...I do not feel bad about it, cuz the loss of it was unhealthy to begin with....and I have enjoyed eating some of the things my tummy has not been able to eat for nearly 3 yrs too! *winks* But I am sooo glad to be going back on the 11th and getting a fill again. Hopefully the band has gone back in place - either way he said we will do a fill...either to help it move if it hasnt or cuz it has and we are starting over. IF it hasnt moved and the fill doesnt work either then I will need surgery to snip scar tissue that may be holding it in place. I have had ALOT of surgeries in my life and I do not want to have another one.

Hope all are doing well! Keep up the good work!!

Tflynn, I do the samething gain 10 to 15 then struggle to lose it just to regain it again. It's a pattern I am working hard to breal. I started using Lose it to track my food, and low and behold I lost 2lbs this week. I sure hope this helps. just hang in there you'll get there.

Cynthia, sorry to hear about your trouble. Hope this works for you so you don't need another surgery. Nice to hear from you. You look fantastic

Hi! I am glad to see everyone doing so well inspite of some complications. I have pretty much maintained my 133 weight loss give or take 5 lbs and will be taking on another adventure on June 8, 2011. In just 29 days I will be having my budha belly removed and my tummy tucked. Two weeks after that the girls are schedule for a lift and implants. I have been working on this for almost a year with my insurance and cant believe it is almost here. I cant wait to be able to jog and not have my budha stop 30 seconds after I have. Please keep me in your prayers as I will you.

Have a Great Day!

Cindy

Great job! So how did you get the insurance company to pay for all of that? I pretty much figured Id have to live with my belly...my girls have already been replaced by a dbl mastectomy w/reconstruction 4 yrs ago, I had to have 1 replaced already and need the other one replaced - both due to having had a severe case of cellulitis after the final reconstruct, it was awful, nearly lost the implants, but ended up having soo much scar tissue they ended up like rocks, so after I get the other one replaced, they aint goin anywhere. *winks*

Great job! So how did you get the insurance company to pay for all of that? I pretty much figured Id have to live with my belly...my girls have already been replaced by a dbl mastectomy w/reconstruction 4 yrs ago, I had to have 1 replaced already and need the other one replaced - both due to having had a severe case of cellulitis after the final reconstruct, it was awful, nearly lost the implants, but ended up having soo much scar tissue they ended up like rocks, so after I get the other one replaced, they aint goin anywhere. *winks*

Last July, I went and saw my plastic surgeon. They took pictures and we decided what would be best for me. I told them to "shoot for the moon" and send the pictures along with the procedures they thought should be done. I was denied. Kinda knew that would happen since I didnt have documentation of rashes at that point and that was one of the requirements of my insurance. Had to prove I had them for at least 3 months and nothing was working to get rid of them. I went to my regular doctor for the next 3 months and took photos of the rashes. So after 3 months, I submitted a photo album of budha and asked my doctor for a letter as well as medical notes. When it was resubmitted it was then reviewed by my employer. They approved the pannis removal and a breast lift. I am paying for the extra tightening of the tummy tuck and after researching decided that I would be happier with implants than without so I am paying for those as well. Be sure to read your insurance benefits very carefully and see if with documentation you too can get approved. Best of Luck to you!

Cindy

thanks for the info! Pray all goes well!

PRAISE GOD!!! My band moved back into place!! He refilled with only 2 cc's wanted to give me 3 but when I drank the fluid it didnt go down well, so who knows for whatever reason, even the 4cc's I had may have been too much and caused the slip...but I am sooooooo praising God that I am back on track and I officially only gained 10 pds. My scale is officially off a bit over 3pds. He asked how much more did I want to lose and I said the 10 pds I just gained and about 10 more...too much more and my skin will just look all haggard...at 50 there just aint the elasticity anymore. *giggles* He said it is rare to have happen what did and I said let me introduce you to my last name = RARE...told him about my Dad and said I gots plenty of other stories too...he laughed and said you are very fun! LOL!

So. I have called my doc and am going in for another fill, able to eat WAY too much and after being sick for nearly 2 mths, everything tastes sooo good. I feel off kilter and need to get back in control! I feel like my body probably was put in starvation mode and now that I am eating it is holding onto ALL of what I eat, even though I really am not eat huge portions...but compared to what I HAD been eating, I think I was starving. DANG! Anyway, I am hoping that 1/2 - 1cc fill will be the ticket to getting this under control. I JUST got in size 12 jeans and gave all my bigger clothes away! I REFUSE to go back! And tomorrow I am pulling out the Turbo Jam DVD! Hope all are doing well!

I am hanging in there I nd to get back to work on myself, food wise. I am now swimming at a pool a couple times a week and I also found a place that has walking indoors that is free at a community center near my house. I hope everyone is doing well.

I'm well, still up 10 and down 10. Drives me crazy Just got the pool opened today so if the weather willing maybe that will help. I sure learned this past year that this is a never ending battle. There's no getting to the end and winning the game, it's just the way you have to live your life from now on. It took alot of ups and downs to realize that. hope I'm not depressing anyone and glad all are well congrats to those that are having their follow up surgery.

I agree with what u say Kimaly but omg what a battle it is sometimes

Yep Melisa, sometimes I just feel like I'm so tired of it and I just don't have anything left to fight with, That's when I'm thankful for all of you, I know ya'll understand when others around me can't. sometimes I think they just see the weightloss and know I have a band and are under the impression the weight just fell off. Oh how we know better LOL and they don't get that it's never ending.

Yes that is true I am having a hard time getting my eating under control I need help

Hey Everyone...

I am going in on the 2nd to get a fill - finding out that I can eat a wee bit more than I should with on the 2cc's. I have gained about 15pds...have enjoyed it, in light of the fact that my band was probably not well for a long time, just didnt know it. But I have started journaling my food again on fitday.com and exercising to Turbo Jam...actually ordered the Turbo Fire, should be getting that today. It is strange how after have all that weight on me for so many years and then losing it how I can FEEL that extra weight of 15 pds on me now! Do. not. like. it. But honestly I will not mind dealing with the same 10-15 pds for the rest of my life to NOT have to deal with the over 100 I just lost! Just a bit of perspective for myself, when I get frustrated. *smiles*

Hope all had a great Memorial weekend...Freedom aint free...thanks to all who have served!

Wow, I haven't checked in here, in a long time. I stopped being active when they changed the format. It threw me for a loop and I really hated it. I still don't like it, but I wanted to check in. I plan on going back and reading what I have missed, but it will take a while since the last time I posted was November-ish.

It seems that we all seem to struggle with the same few lbs up and down. The scale doesn't move much any more for me, but it is my fault more than my band's. I need to exercise more and eat more solid protein, I just don't do it. I gained about 6 lbs between Jan. and Feb. My mom was dying from Alzheimer's and it was just easier to eat it away than to deal with it. I am in a better place now, but still need to get off of my butt and move.

I am presently teaching summer school and driving almost 3 hours per day to do it. With stress, it just seems easier to drink something than eat sometimes, it is a hard habit that I am trying to break.

With our bandiversary coming up again, I think I am going to rededicate myself to doing it right. The band ain't cheap, and I seem to be wasting this tool that saved my life.

I will check back in again after I have caught up on all of the older posts.