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).

That's good news! :-) Stress (or the stomach virus last week) has tightened me, too, but in my case I think it may have brought me to my sweet spot. <fingers crossed>

I'm back. The doctor said I was too tight and took out .5 cc which took me down to 4.5. He said I'd lost 12 lbs since my last visit on 12/2 and was happy that I'd lost an overall 35 lbs since my surgery date in July. He said that was a good rate of loss for me. I told him of the 12 lbs lost, that the majority of that was by Christmas and I've only lost about 1 or 2 lbs since Christmas. He raised his eyebrows at that and said I need to be keeping a food diary because I shouldn't have had a stall for that long.

He said my band probably tightened up since I've been under stress. He told me wait until the stress goes down and I feel back to normal and we'll recheck to see if I need another adjustment. He said the pouch looked fine and there was no dilation or slippage. He gave me the picture to take home with me.

Donna thats great news!! I am glad everything is ok.. :bananalama:

Hey guys.. for those of you who pray.. I really need some prayer..

I have been having this mild pain in my ovary area as I shared earlier.. well today it was getting a little more constant.. and have heard that sometimes people get this kind of pain when they are pregnant.. plus I had that wonkie 6lb weight gain in one week with no explaination.. well its like 5-6 days before I would start my cycle.. and I thought what the heck i will take a PG test.. well... it was positive!! the 2nd line was really faint.. but the test said it doesnt matter and because its like 6 days early that could be why it was faint. (baby number 2 possibly!! whoo hoo)

well the reason I want prayer is.. because I am having this pain.. it could also be a sign of a tubial/ectopic pregnancy.. or something else being wrong.. it might not be.. but it could be..

so I am going to the doctor today at 415p to see what they can find out.. so if you think of it please pray for me. ( I am only telling you guys and my hubby at this point :bananalama:)

thanks and I will let you know as soon as I find out anything.

shrinknme - Congratulations (I think?) and I'll be sending up prayers for you to any God or Godess listening.

Donna, I am so glad you are okay and the problem could be fixed. I know when I lift groceries or my grandbaby I get tight. I do get tight under stress too. I am going next week to the doctor for a fill, but I really think I don't need it. I haven't canceled because things could change in a week. Take care!

Shrinknme, I got you on my prayer list. I hope it all turns out good for you.

Congratulations and Good luck with baby #2!

Shrinknme, Prayers and good wishes are being sent your way.

Donna, really great news. At least now you know nothing is wrong with your band. I'm going for my 3rd fill Tuesday, I'm a little nervous because the last one was way to tight and I had to have a unfil the next morning(sick all night) I've been putting it off, plus I just had other things going on. But I think it's time because I get hungry about every 3hrs, And I could eat more then what I do. My last one was Oct. 2nd so we shall see how it turns out.

Hey All I went to the docs and it is confirmed that I am pregnant with #2!! :thumbup: We are excited.. its super early though.. I havent even missed my period yet.. its due weds of this next week.. the pain was most likely hormonal

so I guess the band is on hold. I got really sick with my first so I am going to get the band opened until I know how I will react with this one.. I will probably keep it opened though.

anyways.. I will be around.. to keep encouraging you all!!

funny thing is I got back down to lowest weight today.. funny how things work :biggrin:

thanks for your prayers.

Hey All I went to the docs and it is confirmed that I am pregnant with #2!! :thumbup: We are excited.. its super early though.. I havent even missed my period yet.. its due weds of this next week.. the pain was most likely hormonal

so I guess the band is on hold. I got really sick with my first so I am going to get the band opened until I know how I will react with this one.. I will probably keep it opened though.

anyways.. I will be around.. to keep encouraging you all!!

funny thing is I got back down to lowest weight today.. funny how things work :biggrin:

thanks for your prayers.

WHOOHOO! CONGRATS! Stay in touch with us. You will still need support......and we need it too.

Congratulations!!!

Congratulations shrinknme!

A baby! How wonderful!

The band will be there for you when you are ready to resume. :-)

Congratulations Shrinknme! THAT explains the water retention.

For the first time in 2 weeks I slept through the night without being awakened by acid reflux. It's so nice to be back to "normal."