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).

Has anyone seen/heard from Orea?

I wouldn't say pleased -- more resigned to realism. I don't think I'm even consuming a 1,000 calories a day but can't seem to really lose the weight. Overall since my lapband surgery I've lost approximately 40 lbs. I don't really fluctuate much so I'm maintaining the loss. I am hoping to lose 40 more lbs but my doc said the band has done all it's going to do and the rest is up to me. I think I need to start back on the exercise program.

How have the rest of the Butterflies been doing on their journey now that it's been 3 years?

I know how you are feeling. One girl I know has gone on Phenteramine and joined WW to get a jump start. She is doing really well considering she had to have her band removed. I took Phenteramine when I was on the last six weeks of my liquid diet last year. It really cuts your appetite. Of course you have to do the work because I have gained back 20 of the 30 I lost. Now, I am waiting for approval of a sleeve.

What other sites do you view?

Hi Kimaly. Congrats on your weight loss journey. You've done great. I hate this format too. Has anyone told Alex it's terrible and he needs to return it to be more user friendly?

I know how you are feeling. One girl I know has gone on Phenteramine and joined WW to get a jump start. She is doing really well considering she had to have her band removed. I took Phenteramine when I was on the last six weeks of my liquid diet last year. It really cuts your appetite. Of course you have to do the work because I have gained back 20 of the 30 I lost. Now, I am waiting for approval of a sleeve.

I don't really have appetite problems (as in getting really hungry and overeating). I do feel hunger from time to time but after a few bites of solid food I feel satisifed and ame fine. It's more the habits that is stopping the rest. For instance, I can eat a whole bag of microwave popcorn at night watching TV right before I go to bed. Usually that's 1/2 my caloric input for the day. I need to change those bad habits to lose the rest of the weight.

Hey everyone - I hope everyone is doing well. I have been reading here and there but just been so busy I am not on here much. I miss talking to my July butterflies but I agree since they change the format around it kinda stinks.

Just dropping by to say hello. Hope everyone had a good July and are off to a good August.

Helllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo Laddiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeess!

I'm so silly. It's been a long summer. I hope all of you are doing well. I'm doing well. I just reached 125 lbs down. I finally got my first goal gift; My Dooney & Bourke purse that I've been patiently waiting for. My boyfriend was being a sweetheart and bought it for me. I'll try to log in every so often. A lot has changed around here.

Take care!

Hi everyone,

Blaze I would love to get a D&B purse I should set that foe my major goal reward.

I am doing well. I have been exercising alot more and have my food under control all in all I feel really great after making a pack with my Dr to restart and refocus myself.

Hi ladies, Sorry I've been such a stranger. Nice to see you posting here again Donna. And Congrats on the D&B Blaze, There great and last forever.

All's well on my end and I hope ya'll are all doing well also. Have a great weekend everybody!!!!

I hate these ads that pop up in the middle of your post

Donna, that is what Dr Davis told me....the band had done all it is going to do. Since my BMI is still over forty my insurance will pay for a revision to a sleeve. I saw the doctor yesterday and now the paperwork is in and waiting for approval. Surgery should be Mid September. Want to lose another 80 lbs.

Go to a nutritionist and get help with your eating. You may need more calories .

I had such a horrible band day yesterday. I accidentally sucked up a lemon seed through my straw at lunch and I think it must have gotten stuck. I PB'd right after lunch and felt a little better but then an hour later in the middle of a very important meeting with executives I had to run out of the conference room to PB again. After that I thought everything was fine until I tried to eat dinner. I had a couple of bites and got stuck again and PB'd for the next hour. In the 3 years I've had the band I've only PB'd 3 time previous to yesterday. Here's to hoping I can eat today without incident.

On a more positive note, if I lose 7 more pounds I will finally get out of the obese category and simply be considered overweight.

On a more positive note, if I lose 7 more pounds I will finally get out of the obese category and simply be considered overweight.

That is awesome; However sorry about the seed getting stuck

I hate these ads that pop up in the middle of your post

I just noticed that an ad popped up in one of my old posts what the heck come on stay off of my posts.