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).

Joiful, please don't go away again. I know you might be a bit upset right now but everyone here means well and we all want to see you succeed. Stay on this journey with us, even if you feel like going it alone. It really does help to have support both positive reinforcement as well as constructive criticism.

Ditto that Joyful, stay with us

I agree Joiful, No one here is trying to be mean or hurt you. We all care about you! sometimes it helps to get that constructive critasism.. because even if its not all true, if we are really honest with ourselves sometimes its more true than we would like to believe. I can attest to that.

hang in there. there is an answer!

in other news I made an appt to get a little unfill because of the heart burn.. I hope they dont have to take much. I really am pleased with my restriction and lack of hunger. I thought it was a bit much when he filled me though.. ugh its all so annoying.. its a pain to get to my docs!

well heres to hoping it all doesnt go away. :smile2:

I have lost 1lb in four days!

My hunger has been much better today. I think the worst is finally over. My second fill is tomorrow. I can't wait to see the scale start going downward again.

My hunger has been much better today. I think the worst is finally over. My second fill is tomorrow. I can't wait to see the scale start going downward again.

That's great Orea! Nothing is worse than hunger. When you're hungry, it distracts from everything.

I decided to do a total unfill Tuesday because I've been having stomach pain. My doctor went to take out the 3cc's I had in the band and there was nothing there. So one of two things happened, there's a defect or damage to my port or the tubing or the PA that filled me didn't fill me right. Best case scenario is that the PA hit the wrong spot, but I don't really think this is the case. It was very obvious that she hit the right spot, she was able to inject, aspirate and reinject the 3cc's when I had my fill. I go in on Monday for an x-ray to check out my band and to check into my stomach problems. So I might be looking at a revision. The silver lining is that I've lost 35lbs with no restriction, imagine where I could be if things get fixed.

Hi everyone, just thought I'd drop in and see how the fellow butterflies are going and you're all doing great it seems - not always with problems but hey we're getting there. I've lost about 30 lb (14 kg) since mid July and feel so much better. I have 8.25mls in my 11ml band. I've had several fills 4ml - then 6 mls - then 7.5 ml and then 8.25 ml. It's a 400 km (250 mile) return drive per fill but I want to get to that sweet spot. have been having the heartburn since the last fill - hopefully it will settle soon. Melanie

I decided to do a total unfill Tuesday because I've been having stomach pain. My doctor went to take out the 3cc's I had in the band and there was nothing there. So one of two things happened, there's a defect or damage to my port or the tubing or the PA that filled me didn't fill me right. Best case scenario is that the PA hit the wrong spot, but I don't really think this is the case. It was very obvious that she hit the right spot, she was able to inject, aspirate and reinject the 3cc's when I had my fill. I go in on Monday for an x-ray to check out my band and to check into my stomach problems. So I might be looking at a revision. The silver lining is that I've lost 35lbs with no restriction, imagine where I could be if things get fixed.

I am sorry to hear about the trouble you are having and I hope everything comes out okay. Please update us on Monday and let us know what the doctor said.

Orea, I have been so fortunate to not be hungry. You have so much more willpower than I do. That kind of torture would have probably cracked me. I am glad to hear that your hunger is beginning to subside. I need another fill now, but it is not easy for me to go to the doctor, because I am a teacher and can't always take off.

I decided to do a total unfill Tuesday because I've been having stomach pain. My doctor went to take out the 3cc's I had in the band and there was nothing there. So one of two things happened, there's a defect or damage to my port or the tubing or the PA that filled me didn't fill me right. Best case scenario is that the PA hit the wrong spot, but I don't really think this is the case. It was very obvious that she hit the right spot, she was able to inject, aspirate and reinject the 3cc's when I had my fill. I go in on Monday for an x-ray to check out my band and to check into my stomach problems. So I might be looking at a revision. The silver lining is that I've lost 35lbs with no restriction, imagine where I could be if things get fixed.

So So sorry to hear of your troubles. I really hope you get this fixed asap. and yes you've done fantastic without restriction. you'll be in my prayers.

melanie, nice to hear from you again, seems like you are doing quite well. Hope this is your sweet spot also. I just don't know what the sweet spot is, I guess I've not got there or something because everyone seems to know when they hit theirs and I'm still unsure.

Lovesgrapes, I'll be thinking of you and hoping for the best. Please let us know how things go.

I decided to do a total unfill Tuesday because I've been having stomach pain. My doctor went to take out the 3cc's I had in the band and there was nothing there. So one of two things happened, there's a defect or damage to my port or the tubing or the PA that filled me didn't fill me right. Best case scenario is that the PA hit the wrong spot, but I don't really think this is the case. It was very obvious that she hit the right spot, she was able to inject, aspirate and reinject the 3cc's when I had my fill. I go in on Monday for an x-ray to check out my band and to check into my stomach problems. So I might be looking at a revision. The silver lining is that I've lost 35lbs with no restriction, imagine where I could be if things get fixed.

I hope they find the source of your stomach pains. Have you had your gallbladder removed? Sometimes when you lose weight stones form in the gallbladder. It happened to me when I was younger. I will say a prayer for you.

Take care!

Report on my second fill: Dr. Tran stuck in the needle, had me sit up and sip while he adjusted the fill level. He added 2 cc. for a total of 6 in my 10 cc. APL band. I'm on full liquids for two days. So far, so good.

I am so ready to start losing again!

Report on my second fill: Dr. Tran stuck in the needle, had me sit up and sip while he adjusted the fill level. He added 2 cc. for a total of 6 in my 10 cc. APL band. I'm on full liquids for two days. So far, so good.

I am so ready to start losing again!

Good for you! I hope you reach your sweet spot. I am working again on losing. I have been journaling and eating 1200c a day. I don't want to weigh until next week. No news is good news.

That may work for you, but when I stop weighing, it usually means I am up to no good! :rolleyes2: