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).

Here are some thoughts and opinions - take them or leave them:

Sundaes, chips, biscuits, no exercise. You need to get your matabolism jump started. Biking isn't too bad on the knees or swimming. Before you throw in the towel. Remember, the band is just a tool; you have to get your body moving to burn calories more effieciently.

Fish, chicken, vegtables, and fruit more protein less carbs NO sweets. It sounds like you still need some band adjustment too. One thing I have noticed the more I exercise - the tighter my band feels.

No bread products either- carbs make you hungier.

I know that you didn't ask for a critque of your efforts; but sometimes an outside view can help.

OK, NO excuses Monday morning - eat healthy; move your pretty body, call your doctor for an adjustment, think positive.

This isn't easy for anyone (especially, some days are a disaster) there is always tomorrow to get it right.

I know you can do it; good luck, we've got your back!

Here are some thoughts and opinions - take them or leave them:

Sundaes, chips, biscuits, no exercise. You need to get your matabolism jump started. Biking isn't too bad on the knees or swimming. Before you throw in the towel. Remember, the band is just a tool; you have to get your body moving to burn calories more effieciently.

Fish, chicken, vegtables, and fruit more protein less carbs NO sweets. It sounds like you still need some band adjustment too. One thing I have noticed the more I exercise - the tighter my band feels.

No bread products either- carbs make you hungier.

I know that you didn't ask for a critque of your efforts; but sometimes an outside view can help.

OK, NO excuses Monday morning - eat healthy; move your pretty body, call your doctor for an adjustment, think positive.

This isn't easy for anyone (especially, some days are a disaster) there is always tomorrow to get it right.

I know you can do it; good luck, we've got your back!

I have to agree, maybe in the evening when your ready to sit and feel you want some ice cream you could go for a walk for 30 min. to an hour. by the time you get back the ice cream will be off your mind and it's good exercise, not to hard on your body. I've seen you on your web site, your a beautiful woman. so don't be down on yourself. And trust me if you put enough effort in it will work, and remember most of us have alot more weight to lose then you so we'll lose a little faster until we get closer to our goal weight. And remember to put bread products on the no no list. good luck and keep the faith. and it's good to hear from you again.

I shared this on another thread, but just had to share here. Monday's are my official weigh in day and I am officially in onderland!!! I haven't seen this weight in 7 years!!

I shared this on another thread, but just had to share here. Monday's are my official weigh in day and I am officially in onderland!!! I haven't seen this weight in 7 years!!

I left you a note on the other thread but once again wanted to send you a BIG WOO HOO!!! congrats :smile2:

DEGirl - Congrats on the onederland. You are doing great!

Thanks everyone for the feedback on fill costs. I talked to my doc's office and my insurance company and both said that is their typical cost. Can't figure out why everyone has such a better price. I'm going to talk directly to doctor on my next visit. The nearest fill center is 7 hours away, so I'm not sure that's an option for me.

Boos, have you checked around with doctors in the area to see if they, their PAs or nurses could do fills/unfills? It is relatively a simple procedure and if a family practitioner was so inclined, he could pretty easily take it on, especially if it meant a quick and easy $150-$350 a pop. While your insurance may cover your fills, there must be other patients in your area who may not have insurance and can't afford $1200 for a fill. Those patients can really benefit from this. Have you also contacted fill centers and/or their corporate offices to see if they would consider working with local doctors to establish some sort of consistent pricing/referrals?

All of this may be for naught, but wouldn't it be great if you could help yourself and in the process help many others as well?

I posted this on "How much have you lost July Butterflies?" but thought I'd share it here in my home thread with my homegirls (I'd say boys too but I don't recall seeing any boys in here).

I got my 4th fill today. I already had 4 ccs in an 8 cc band and it had been 3 weeks since my last fill. My weight loss has been up and down (some up due to Hurricane Ike and having stayed away in San Antonio for a week until the power returned).

Anyway, my 3rd fill 3 weeks ago was just a few days after my return from San Antonio when I was still carrying a couple of extra water weight/salt weight lbs. Today, when I went to get my fill, it showed a 7 lb loss in the last 3 weeks so the nurse didn’t want to give me another fill. I told her that the loss was deceptive since most of it was weight I had gained while in San Antonio and quickly dropped when returning to normal schedule/diet. I told her I ate too much at one sitting and was hungry just 2 to 3 hours after a meal. So she reluctantly gave me another .5 cc which is all I really wanted anyway. The troubling part is that on previous fills they had always taken the old fill out to make sure that the amount that came out was the same amount as listed in the chart. This time, she specifically said she wasn’t going to do that and just gave me .5 cc on top of what was already there. I don’t think I have a leak because the Dr. checked me for a leak at the last fill; I just hate it when the medical professionals take short cuts.

I guess I’ll try this out for size for the next couple of weeks. I’m so desperately chasing that elusive “sweet spot!” :laugh:

I don't think this is it because even though I had a big bowl of bean soup at lunch 3 hours ago, I'm hungry again! Hopefully I will feel more restriction in a day or two.

I am having difficulty finding a local face to face support group that I can relate to. How about a live chat room support group for us July Butterflies? I think we can create a room on a weekly basis and we can log in to the chat room and have "live" online support. What do you think? If you all are up for it, we can vote on which day/night/time is best for everyone.

I like this idea. I'm pretty flexible re availability.

Great! I'm pretty flexible too.

OK, I've created the room but if noone is in there, it will go away. The room's name is July Butterflies.

How about we try the chat room at 1:00 PM Eastern time tomorrow?

Whay a great idea!

I'll try to be there. :-)

I'll try to be there. :-)

So, what do we do?....click on chat and put in July Butterflies? I haven't been in the chat.:regular_smile: