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).

Czrythr, I am so sorry for your loss. It must have been hard to see her suffer with such a horrible disease. I am glad you haven't gained much. ihave gained a lot of what I lost on the liquid diet. I went to see Dr Davis last week. He said because of my low metabolism I have lost all I am going to lose with the band. I am now in the process of getting approval for a sleeve. I have to have an endoscopy, a stress test, see a dietitian, and see a psychiatrist. No guarantees they will approve, but I do mee the criteria. I have a 40bmi, lost less than half the excess weight, and I still take Bp meds. So, wen will see.

Charlene, I hope they get you approved quickly. I know you were having metabolic issues and that really sucks.

I lost quite a bit, but I still have more to lose. I just started exercising again last week and I have gone to the gym 6 days in a row. Last night I was back up to 65 minutes on the elliptical. I am stunned and happy to get back into it so quickly. I started on Wednesday and had already decided to commit to it and Thursday night, my cousin who is 3 weeks younger than I am, had a massive heart attack. It is our family curse. We die young from heart problems. My grandfather was 36, grandmother was 57, his mom, my aunt, was 48 and my mom had a bypass at 48. So, that gave me an incentive to not skip at all. I have made a promise to myself to go everyday unless I am extremely ill or injured. The only way I am going to allow myself to skip is if I have gone 5 days in a row and then I can only skip one day. I have decided I am going to fight heart disease, like my life depends on it, because it does. If a heart attack wants me, it will have to take me kickin' and screamin'.

Wow, so young for heart disease....sounds like you may win this one.WTG! My cousins family have heart attacks in their thirties and forties. Out of seven kids four have had heart attacks and one died at 35. Do you go to a cardiologist?

I have my nutrition appt tomorrow. Then I will go to the psychiatrist thursday. So many hoops to jump through for approval, and then I may not be approved.

so nice to see people posting on this thread again, As far as the new forum I dislike it also and rearly come on anymore, It bites because I miss everyone. Reading everyones post I can see the journey goes on. Sorry for your loss Crzytchr I know all to well losing people we care about never gets easier. Thoughts and prayers.

I am glad to see so many people posting ad well

Charlene, I don't see a cardiologist, yet. I have a checkup with my regular doctor on July 13th and I will see if he thinks I need to go after examining my test results. I also had a nuclear stress test about 4 years ago due to a little arhythmia problem. The doctor I had then blew it off, but I will have him look back at the readout to make sure.

I just finished day 10 at the gym about an hour ago. I have gone 10 DAYS STRAIGHT and I stay on the elliptical for an hour each time at levels 7-11. I am determined to get healthier.

'crzytchr' - You go girl. Keep rocking at the gym

So I am posting this now so I don't forget since I will be busy this weekend watching my 7month nephew.

Tomorrow 7/2 is my 3 year anniversary with my band. This last year had been rough however; I'm going to fix this and make this year the best year ever. Love to all my LB friends who have been with me since day 1

1day,Happy Bandiversary!!!

3 year anniversary! I've lost 163 lbs and gained a life. Best decision I made! Looking forward to weing less than 150 and running a 5k in September.

3 year anniversary! I've lost 163 lbs and gained a life. Best decision I made! Looking forward to weing less than 150 and running a 5k in September.

163lbs is Amazing!!!! Congrats!!!

Well, Saturday is my 3 yr bandaversary! I went to the doc and I have gained 22pds, grrrrr. I now have 3cc's going on the 21st to get another fill, feel like I can still eat too much, but trying not to, just cuz I seem to be able to...kwim? This July 1st was the 2nd anniversary of my Daddys passing, but it also brought a wonderful bundle of JOY! My daughter had her 4th baby, my 5th grand baby, a girl, named Savaeh (sa-va-a) Rose! 5 is the number of grace and boy did she grace the day! I am so ready to get this body back under control, I have been feeling like before I had the band put in...but I am not discouraged...keep reminding myself if this is all I have to deal with the rest of my life, weight wise, then I am way ahead of the game!

Happy Bandaversary to all July Butterflies!

Well, Saturday is my 3 yr bandaversary!

Happy Bandaversary girl, you look great

Today is my three year aniversary. It has been a challenge but the best thing I ever did for myself. Up and down 15 for the past few months but still at 100 lbs lost!

I haven't been on in so long, I had to change my ticker! Glad to be back!