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).

crzytchr - I'm sorry to hear about your troubles. I've only experienced a migraine headache a few times in my life and it was so debilitating I couldn't even move without throwing up. You are a strong person to be able to teach kids with a migraine. When I have a simple headache, my own kids are intolerable. I hope your surgery goes well and your recovery quick.

Orea - I'm sending postiive thoughts your way. Keep thinking positive about a great job for your DH.

shrinknme - I hope you have a great trip overseas. Can't you still get on the internet where you're going? We'll miss you.

crzytchr, Does you insurance(s) have a max deductible? I know when I had my surgery that my max out of pocket copay was $2000 and the rest of this year I don't have to pay ANYTHING for anything else I need done. And for that matter I am taking full advantage of it. I had an adonimal CT scan (I had some pain) so I don't have to pay anything until it resets Jan 1st. Check and see.

It is one deductible per year, but I changed school districts, so I changed insurance companies, so I have to meet the new company's deductible. It sucks, but it must be done. I just hate that on jan. 1, a new year starts with a new deductible AGAIN!

Well, I have to share an experience by saying something I have never said before...I just finished watching my teenagers build a snowman!!!!!! We are covered in snow....not something we see often at all.

Thanks Donna.

thanks Donna! I will have some access overseas but just not sure how much.. have a great Christmas..

on another note.. nothing like the stomach flu to kick the weightloss into high gear! ugh.. I really pray its a 24hr bug like my daughters!

thanks Donna! I will have some access overseas but just not sure how much.. have a great Christmas..

on another note.. nothing like the stomach flu to kick the weightloss into high gear! ugh.. I really pray its a 24hr bug like my daughters!

Have a Merry Christmas and try to check in from time to time.

I hope your stomach flu does indeed pass quickly -- cautionary note - if you are throwing up, then you may need to go see your doctor for an unfill as this can cause slippage (so I have heard).

I think I will have to try the water and jumping jack trick myself. I have had alot of trouble with the unhealthy snacking. I have two teens who are very supportive accept they don't want to give up their junk foods. So it is in the house still. If I have a craving I don't have far to go to find it. I haven't lost any weight in a month. Well, I havn't gained any either. Any idea's?

Bubbles, if you haven't lost any weight in a month and you don't feel satisfied with 1 to 1 1/2 cup of solid food, then go in for a fill. It did the trick for me! Don't know why I waited so long between the last fill and the fill before!

I'll be glad when I can get a fill too, I gained 3lbs this week. The curves lady said I'm retaining water, I hope that's the case. Eather way I'm in a good mood today because I got my biopsy back and all was good, just a complex cist. After 6 weeks of worrying about it, It feels good to let my brain relax.

{{{Kimaly!}}} Great news. :-D I'm so happy for you.

Orea

I got my biopsy back and all was good, just a complex cist. After 6 weeks of worrying about it, It feels good to let my brain relax.

Woo Hoo! Great news!

{{{Kimaly!}}} Great news. :-D I'm so happy for you.

Orea, you're so close -- less than 3lbs to go! Your weight loss has been awesome!

I had an IBS attack the other night which helped me drop a few pounds. Not a comfortable way to lose it. I still have abdominal tenderness and slight queasiness. But yes, it looks like I'll make it to the 200's by Christmas! :rolleyes2:

My face and my bust are showing the loss at the moment. :cursing:

I had an IBS attack the other night which helped me drop a few pounds. Not a comfortable way to lose it. I still have abdominal tenderness and slight queasiness. But yes, it looks like I'll make it to the 200's by Christmas! :rolleyes2:

My face and my bust are showing the loss at the moment. :cursing:

It's good to lose it in the face but HATE losing it in the bust. I don't have much of a butt, but I think that's where I'm losing it because it's getting positively bony!

I guys. I don't post often but I read your notes every couple of days and have really found support with you. I wish I could loose in by butt. I've gone down from a 26 to a 16 pants size but when I look in the mirror I still see my big rear. I've seen it big for 15-20 years so I guess my mind hasn't caught up with my weight loss. :rolleyes2:

kimaly........awesome news!

Hi, all! Long time no post.

I have had QUITE a hectic few months. I think the last time I posted I'd just found out that my landlords weren't going to renew my lease on my apartment (where I'd lived for 3 years)--this happened just about one week post-op. I eventually found a new (and arguably better) place to live and just had to wait for my move in date which very inconveniently fell right at the beginning of midterms in early October (I'm in grad school).

The move was basically a nightmare and long story short, I was without an operational kitchen for the first three weeks I lived here (no fridge, no stove), which left me at the mercy of local takeout places. I actually did fairly well with this--I generally stuck with a local Greek place and had their omelette of the day and stuffed grape leaves (the kind stuffed with ground lamb not rice).

I've only had two fills so far (Sept and Nov--missed Oct because time just slipped away from me) and as of mid-November have only really held steady at my pre/post op diet loss which isn't ideal but it's not a gain (and I was sort of expecting a gain based on the kitchen situation). Oddly, though, while the scale didn't move I started fitting into older, smaller clothes so who knows what that's about. I'm just following the rules as best as I can and I try make smart decisions generally.

I have NO idea how I'm doing weight-wise since the Nov fill, I've decided to not weigh at home. I'll find out next week when I go in for fill #3, but my guess is that this one has been good. I've noticed changes in my body and clothing fit so it's probably good news :rolleyes2:

What else happened? Thanksgiving was a big crazy gathering which necessitated 4 tables to accommodate all the family members (there were other family events happening that week) and then I immediately went into finals. In the middle of finals, I got called in for a job interview and was offered the job the very same day. I started the job about 10 hours after finishing my last exam and have worked there for a week now. Grades started coming in today and I have As in 2 out of my 3 classes and expect an A- at the least from the third.

This job (paid internship really) is only funded for 2 months, but funding may be extended by the incoming Congress (it's a Congressional position) so I may be looking at next semester of full time employment and full time academic study, which will be insane but (hopefully) manageable.

My plan all along for the band was to approach it "slow and steady" and make it just another part of my life rather than a focal point of it which may not be the best approach for a fast success but it's really just the way that makes the most sense for me and my life. Exercise has been happening but without a plan and focus, which I had been planning on spending Christmas Break fixing, but this job came kind of out of nowhere. This weekend I'm going to sit down with a schedule etc and really Iron out a plan of action because what I'm doing now isn't really cutting it.

I DO hope that my efforts start to see a payoff (and that I can really apply myself more consistently in the exercise department) soon.

So that's my life! Sorry for the novel-length post--I've been really busy. I feel like I can finally come up for air and revisit you all!