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).

ok, so I think I need to start steadly measureing my portions. cause I am missing the out on the "full" feeling. Is it a new feeling I am supposed to feel? Cause I have a bad habit, I eat just 1 bite too many and I don't feel anything before I get stuck. So my question is what am I missing. Also for you ladies that found the "sweet spot" Do you know it when you eat or is it a measured out portion and then you are ok? I am so confused I think.LOL I just don't feel "Full" the bite before I get stuck. Thanks for the input! Michele

I don't know what the sweet spot is yet so I can't really answer that question.

I don't think what you are describing is getting stuck if it happens at the end of your meal, it sounds like you are hitting maximum capacity in your pouch. Once you hit that level, you clearly need to stop. How much do you eat before that happens? Is it more than 1 cup of food? If it's more than 1 1/2 cup of food at a sitting, then you probably really need to measure your food because more than that at one time could lead to stretched pouches. If it's less than that, then it's probably what they call the satiety level. Ask your doc/RN the next time you go in for a fill/check up.

gals what has worked for me and i have lost 7 pounds in the last 3 days!!!!

if i am hungry i eat 5-7 bites of food

if i am hungery before the next meal i will eat 2-3 more bites

at the next meal i do the same and it has worked.

7 pounds in 3 days i am sooo stoked.

i found that to say i can only have 1/2 cup and that is all didnt work it was putting limitations almost like a diet. but when i decided to eat a few bites and a few more if i was still hungry.

now when i say hungry i am talking about actual grumbling in your belly not just the desire to eat!

My husband come home today and told me he just got 60 days' notice. That tightened me up but good. Best case scenario, he finds a job that starts the day after they pay him off with the severance pay. That could make this blow turn into a blessing.

My husband come home today and told me he just got 60 days' notice. That tightened me up but good. Best case scenario, he finds a job that starts the day after they pay him off with the severance pay. That could make this blow turn into a blessing.

Sorry to hear your dilema. Maybe that job in Texas will come through for him or is that still in the works? Hang in there!

I'm sorry Orea. Keep your spirits up and focus your thoughts on your husband getting an even better job.

Sorry to hear your dilema. Maybe that job in Texas will come through for him or is that still in the works? Hang in there!

The job fell through. More resumes are in the works.

gals what has worked for me and i have lost 7 pounds in the last 3 days!!!!

if i am hungry i eat 5-7 bites of food

if i am hungery before the next meal i will eat 2-3 more bites

at the next meal i do the same and it has worked.

7 pounds in 3 days i am sooo stoked.

i found that to say i can only have 1/2 cup and that is all didnt work it was putting limitations almost like a diet. but when i decided to eat a few bites and a few more if i was still hungry.

now when i say hungry i am talking about actual grumbling in your belly not just the desire to eat!

keep up the good work, I'm going to give it a try. I've

had one fill and I don't have any restriction- I feel hungry every two hours. My doctor said not to eat in between meals but, i'm going to try your way for a couple of days. I can have a fill every 90 days so It wont be till after the holidays. I'm going to have to keep

up my workout program. I'll let ya know my progress.

Your eating plan sounds good to me. I know I am eating to much, but after this last fill I am hungry most of the time. My scales moves up and down every couple days. I'm getting pretty depressed about it. I don't go for another fill until December 5th. I may see if I can go in earlier, the holidays scare me. I love all the holiday goodies. Got to get this weight off to help take care of my new grand-daughter (born Nov. 12 - 6.99 lbs. 19 1/4" long). I didn't know being a grandmother could be so much fun.

Orea, sorry to hear about your husband. I believe that everything happens for a reason even if we don't know the reason right away. I will be thinking about you and your huband and sending positive enery your way. Good Luck.

As of today, I am officially down 50 lbs!!!! I have been waiting for this.

Orea, I will be sending prayers your way. Stay focused on what you need to accomplish, enjoy your holiday and then you can help him with his job search. It is difficult when a spouse is out of work. It takes a lot out of them. Try to help him stay positive while you keep on your journey to getting healthy.

Orea, sorry to hear about your news. I hope you are right and that you're husband will quickly transition into a new job.

WOO HOO! I finely did it. I'm in ONEderland. After 3wks of up and downing the same 3 lbs it happened. Ok, enough about me. Orea, so sorry to hear of your troubles. I'll put you and your family in my prayers. :smile2:

Your eating plan sounds good to me. I know I am eating to much, but after this last fill I am hungry most of the time. My scales moves up and down every couple days. I'm getting pretty depressed about it. I don't go for another fill until December 5th. I may see if I can go in earlier, the holidays scare me. I love all the holiday goodies. Got to get this weight off to help take care of my new grand-daughter (born Nov. 12 - 6.99 lbs. 19 1/4" long). I didn't know being a grandmother could be so much fun.

Congrats on the grandbaby!! it's a true blessing. I have 2 granddaughters and a grandson and it's wonderful

Orea, I will be praying that your husband finds a job quickly!

Hang in there

Your eating plan sounds good to me. I know I am eating to much, but after this last fill I am hungry most of the time. My scales moves up and down every couple days. I'm getting pretty depressed about it. I don't go for another fill until December 5th. I may see if I can go in earlier, the holidays scare me. I love all the holiday goodies. Got to get this weight off to help take care of my new grand-daughter (born Nov. 12 - 6.99 lbs. 19 1/4" long). I didn't know being a grandmother could be so much fun.

congrats on the new grand baby!!! She will keep you active. I'm worried about the holidays too.

hang in there.