Tricia K.

Awww...thank you SO much!! I wish I could spend more time outside but it's soooo hot here in Louisiana. I got my tan the old-fashioned way...LOL...in a tanning bed!!

Thanks, everyone!

You're very welcome.

I found a few on ebay. Here are a few links. Granted, they're a bit more expensive than those at Wal-mart but it may be worth a try. http://cgi.ebay.com/Danskin-HIGH-IMPACT-Underwire-Sport-Bra-Sz-38D_W0QQitemZ7243820995QQcategoryZ2913QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem http://cgi.ebay.com/Danskin-HIGH-IMPACT-Underwire-Sport-Bra-Sz-38D_W0QQitemZ7243825638QQcategoryZ2913QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem And, here's the search results link... http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?cgiurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2Fws%2F&fkr=1&from=R8&satitle=danskin+high+impact+sports+bra&category0=

They have GREAT support. I made a point of jumping up and down in the dressing room to make sure they were securely in the bra. I barely bounced. I made it a point to buy a size smaller around so that they're very secure - I'm a 38D but bought a 36D.

Hi Julie! Welcome to bandland. The itching you're experiencing is probably your incisions healing. As long as they don't become red, inflamed, and they don't seep, you're probably fine. Also, the pain you're feeling in your shoulder is most likely the referred pain from your diaphram being expanded during surgery. It should diminish within a few weeks...I hope. I feel it every now and then 8 months out but it's nothing like it was immediately post-op.

Jacqui, I found the greatest sports bra at Wal-mart, of all places. It's a Danskin racerback high impace underwire sports bra and was only $8.88, plus tax. They had several colors so I bought one in white and one in black. Here are a few pictures...

Hello and welcome to LBT, Cathy!!

Congrats, Dawn!!

I already posted this in the "Before & After Pictures" thread but wanted to post my own thread as well. Even though I haven't dropped much weight in the past month and a half, I still wanted to share some updated photos with everyone. These "after" pictures were taken a few moments ago. BEFORE @ 274 lbs. AFTER @ 199 lbs.

Even though I haven't dropped much weight in the past month and a half, I still wanted to share some updated photos with everyone. These "after" pictures were taken a few moments ago. BEFORE @ 274 lbs. AFTER @ 199 lbs.

LOL..you poor thing. I've heard about this but have never experienced it myself. I'm glad that you found a solution.

Will do, Mary. Have fun with those babies!!

My surgeon required that I wait 8 weeks before doing any exercise other than walking. Please note that every surgeon is different so do not take my answer as a standard. Therefore, please speak to your surgeon regarding his recommendations for exercise following surgery.

For the toe raises, I stand in front of the bar in my kitchen, rest my hands on top of the bar for balance, and then stand up on my tippy toes 100 (or more) times. You have to make sure that you're not using your hands to help you up so that you're only using your calf muscles. I'm glad to hear that you're doing well on the leg lifts. I'm happy to have helped.

I posted the following in your other thread. Hi Erynn and welcome to LBT!! I'll try to answer your questions as best as I possibly can. 1) My surgeon recommended that I stay away from alcohol for the first 8 weeks and then only drink it in moderation as it is empty calories. You may find that after not having it for 8 weeks, you may no longer desire it. 2) Everyone is different when it comes to scarring. Mine are somewhat visible but I've seen others where they're almost complete undetectable. Please check out the "Share your scars stages" thread for some pictures. 3) I prepared myself by reminding myself what the ultimate outcome will be. I was going to lose weight and be healthier. Keep in mind that you can eat almost anything you want but they will be much smaller portions. You also have to be smart when it comes to the bad foods, such as chips, Cookies, cake, etc. and only have them on rare occasions as a treat. Eating these things all of the time will only sabotage your success. Good luck to you!!

Breakfast: 16 oz. protein shake made w/ skim milk Snack: 16 oz. coffee w/ non-dairy creamer & 2 Splenda Lunch: 1/4 c. chicken salad, 2 cubic inches colby jack cheese Dinner: 3 oz. imitation crab made w/ 1.5 tbsp. mayonnaise Total Calories: 871 Total Fat: 42 grams - 43% Total Carbs: 42 grams - 19% Total Protein: 83 grams - 38%

Jacqui, I too would like a weight bench. My hubby has an inexpensive knock-off of the Bowflex in the garage but it's not in an ideal spot for me. I would like to do back exercises to strengthen my lower back. In any event, here are my plans for today: 2.5 mile bike ride - 10mph, 130 pulse rate - didn't do this today but will do tomorrow 250 crunches 500 leg lifts 100 toe raises 100 bicep curls w/ 4lb. weight 100 tricep curls w/ 4lb. weight 100 lateral raises w/ 2lb. weight

sleepyjean, the others are correct in saying that this is normal. You may not have great restriction but can still PB on things if you're not careful. I had my first PB on a cinnamon roll prior to my 1st fill. Take it easy and be good to yourself.

Hi Erynn and welcome to LBT!! I'll try to answer your questions as best as I possibly can. 1) My surgeon recommended that I stay away from alcohol for the first 8 weeks and then only drink it in moderation as it is empty calories. You may find that after not having it for 8 weeks, you may no longer desire it. 2) Everyone is different when it comes to scarring. Mine are somewhat visible but I've seen others where they're almost complete undetectable. Please check out the "Share your scars stages" thread for some pictures. 3) I prepared myself by reminding myself what the ultimate outcome will be. I was going to lose weight and be healthier. Keep in mind that you can eat almost anything you want but they will be much smaller portions. You also have to be smart when it comes to the bad foods, such as chips, Cookies, cake, etc. and only have them on rare occasions as a treat. Eating these things all of the time will only sabotage your success. Good luck to you!!

Plunder, thanks for bumping this thread. I had meant to post in it when I first saw it but completely forgot. I absolutely LOVE my band!! My surgery date was September 16, 2005 and I am now 8 months out and 75/76 pounds lighter (depending upon the day or time of day). I started at 274 on this journey and am now at 198/199. My goal is 160 so I'm 38/39 pounds from reaching it. Had it not been for this band, I would have been heavy for the rest of my life. Granted, I wasn't unhappy at the higher weight but I knew that it wasn't healthy and I wanted to live longer so that I could spend more time with my wonderful husband and my future child. I was lucky that I didn't have any other health problems but I certainly didn't want to develop diabetes or high blood pressure due to being so heavy. Have I said yet that I LOVE my band??

Thanks, I8! Best of luck to you!!

Cool NSV, Heather.

I still think it's great and you're very welcome.

That was my first thought as well. My doctor wouldn't even think to ask me which one I would rather have. I'm not the surgeon nor would I want that responsibility.