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).

Thx Orea, And congrats Dionna. mine went well, no pain. I got 3.6 in my 10cc band. we started with 5 she wanted me to feel what to tight was. went down to 3 that wasn't enough so up to 4 still a little hard to swallow so she worked her way down to 3.6cc and that's where we're at. I'm in a much better mood then the last couple days and looking forward to the rest of this journey.

Thanks, Kimaly. I just ate a package of instant oatmeal and felt no restriction and still hungry so I fear it's not enough. I have an out of town business trip scheduled for the week of 9/15 and if I still feel it's not enough by this Friday, then I'm going to schedule a fill right after I come back.

Dionna! 199.5 is a beeeyoutiful number! I was just sitting here and admiring it. BRAVA!!:thumbup::blushing:

It hasn't moved in weeks.. tomorrow will be 7 weeks since banding. I really, really need to see some movement.

I hear you on that! My scale has been bouncing up and down the same few pounds for several weeks, too. I'm hoping that when I get to solids on Thursday, I can make some changes and get things moving again. <fingers crossed>

Thanks, Kimaly. I just ate a package of instant oatmeal and felt no restriction and still hungry so I fear it's not enough. I have an out of town business trip scheduled for the week of 9/15 and if I still feel it's not enough by this Friday, then I'm going to schedule a fill right after I come back.

I don't know what your Dr. says (because they all seem to say so many differant things) but the fill center told me that sometimes it takes a couple of days to be able to feel the restriction (should have asked why) maybe they say that because they put you back on liquids for 2 days i don't really know but will be sure to ask next time. if you feel like you need it when you get back i would set it up. who wants to be hungry any longer then they have to be. good luck on your trip, and like orea said- how great to be below 200. i can't wait.

I had my fist fill today. I have 6.5 cc in my band. I came home and had some sou; I didn't feel any restriction either. Like you said, my friend said she felt the restriction a couple days after the fills. So, I am hopefull. I think6.5 in the band sound like I should have restriction. I am happy to be in this boat with so many great folks.

I hope everyone's fills are going well! I'm scheduled for mine on 9/11. I do have a question about it though. I am flying to get my fill, then staying with a friend that I have not seen in 2 years. She/we wants to go out the same night that I get my fill. Now, I know that my Dr. does not want me to eat for 3 days following my fill (fine), but can I drink alcohol?? I'll be on liquids anyways, but has anyone drank on the same night after their fill? It will most-likely only be that 1 night of drinking.

Also, Joiful, yes I did experience a cool weight loss victory! I have always been pretty flexible, even when overweight, but a bit before surgery (at my largest) I realized that I could no longer stretch well. I tried to grab my foot from behind to stretch after exercising and I COULD NOT!!! Now that I'm down about 26 LBs (not even much), I can finally reach and grab my foot to stretch again!!! Can't wait for more freedom from fat!:party:

I had my fist fill today. I have 6.5 cc in my band. I came home and had some sou; I didn't feel any restriction either. Like you said, my friend said she felt the restriction a couple days after the fills. So, I am hopefull. I think6.5 in the band sound like I should have restriction. I am happy to be in this boat with so many great folks.

WOW, that's a big fill. what size band do you have? and what is the fill level in it? mine is a 10cc w/9cc fill level.

Ok, so I got my first fill yesterday and found out I have a 10cc band, if I recall, (I always forget what was discuss) and I got 2cc's and am on clear liquids for 2 days, full liquids for 2 days, and mushies for 2 days, then back to regular foods. I can't tell yet wether or not I have restriction, but I am not too hungry. However, I belched a lot after the fill. Wierd or normal? I am optimistic that I may have restriction. Sometimes I physic myself out on just what others post, like when all others are upset that they don't feel restriction after a fill I feel like well if they don't then I won't either. Ya know what I mean?

mfinney, I know what you mean but it definitely seems like everyone has different reactions to fills and that's why it's a game of adjustments. You may be perfect with your first fill and not need another one for months. I hope that is the case for you. It sounds like you are at a good start since you don't feel hungry and you are "belching" more than usual.

On a positive note, I finally saw some movement since 8/20. I went from 199.5 to 199. It's small but it's a movement in the right direction. I have had movement in the other direction (fluctuating between 199.5 and 201.5 for the past 2 weeks) so it was good to see movement in a downward direction. I refuse to update my ticker for weight gain of less than 5 lbs BUT if I lose even 1/2 lb, then you bet your sweet arse I'm updating my ticker!!! LOL

Thanks, Kimaly. I just ate a package of instant oatmeal and felt no restriction and still hungry so I fear it's not enough. I have an out of town business trip scheduled for the week of 9/15 and if I still feel it's not enough by this Friday, then I'm going to schedule a fill right after I come back.

I had the same experience with my fill. Now, I have 3.5cc and I am so hungry. I am going in next Monday for a second fill. I have to journal all my food or I will go over on calories. I can eat anything. SCARY! I even gained a pound over the weekend.

but can I drink alcohol?? I'll be on liquids anyways, but has anyone drank on the same night after their fill? It will most-likely only be that 1 night of drinking.

I don't think a drink or two or three could hurt, just drink some water in between drinks so you don't get dehydrated. I've been out three times since my banding and I my band seems to be super tight in the morning after drinking.

Good advice, thanks Lovegrapes!

I have a 10cc band with 6.5 cc in it. This is the second day after my fill and I do have some restriction; but I can still eat more than 1 cup at a time. I did loss another pound and I feel satisfied after I eat. It has been 7 weeks since surgery and I have lost 26 pounds. Since I started at 199, I was surprised how fast it is coming off. I am exercising and getting about 60-70 gram of protien in daily. I think the protien is KEY!!! i haven't eaten anything I should have eaten. But that doesn mean I don't think about it!!

My all time weakness is ice cream; I just plain can't have it in the house.

It is amazing how different the levels of fill are and how different we all react to the different levels.

My next fill is scheduled for 10/16. I know I will need it.