KimK813

I LOVE ZUMBA!!! I go twice a week to a class at my gym and would go more if they had more classes. I have been going for about 6 weeks now and am starting to get the steps down. A few of the soundtracks are actually some popular songs and I find myself doing the moves when the songs come on! Give a class a try, if you can. I love it! Good luck, everyone!

My six month bandiversary is Monday, March 7th and I am 1lb away from a total of 50lbs since my highest weight in April of '09. So that got me to thinking, measuring pounds is good, but what about that BMI the docs are always harping on. So I find this link: http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/bminojs.htm and I checked my Highest BMI, Current BMI, and Goal BMI. Here are my results: Highest: 272lbs 48.2 BMI Current: 223lbs 39.5 BMI Goal: 165lbs 29.2 BMI I am pretty pleased with myself and thought I would share. Anyone else? Good luck everyone!

I also buy Chobani, but I get the plain, then add Splenda and fruit to make my own flavors. The sweetner definitely helps, but it needs the fruit too. I have found since eating the greek yogurt, I find regular yougurt too sweet now. Good luck, everyone!

Sorry, ladies, I had a taker. THanks for the interest and good luck to everyone!

Great info. I have my fourth fill scheduled next month, but I am feeling restriction now, but it wanes as the day goes on. In the morning, I can only do liquids, but as the day passes, regular food is okay. Good luck everyone!

I am shrinking (YEAH!) and have 4 Cacique bras from Lane Bryant in great shape that I simply cannot wear anymore. All are a size 44DD, full coverage. 2 are lace, 1 turquoise and 1 black. The other two are cotton and both white. I know Bras are not cheap in this size and just bought some new SMALLER ones, so I am giving these to anyone who can use them. Just send me a message and we'll see what we can work out. Good luck everyone! Kim

I am shrinking (YEAH!) and have 4 Cacique bras from Lane Bryant in great shape that I simply cannot wear anymore. All are a size 44DD, full coverage. 2 are lace, 1 turquoise and 1 black. The other two are cotton and both white. I know Bras are not cheap in this size and just bought some new SMALLER ones, so I am giving these to anyone who can use them. Just send me a message and we'll see what we can work out. Good luck everyone! Kim

OK, went to my first Zumba class Monday and I LOVED it! There is another one tonight. Last night, I played Dance 2 on the Wii for almost 2 hours, so I am definintely getting my cardio in! Thanks for the advice!

My doctor told it's because it was the one they had in the OR!

Does temporary restriction mean you are closer to the real thing? After my second fill, I had great restriction for about a week then it went away. I have another fill scheduled for Wednesday and I was wondering "Am I getting to restriction?" Thanks!

I think I may have to try the No Carb crash thing... I have tried Calcium and chromium supplements (they are supposed to calm sweets cravings) but they did nothing for me. Thanks for all the advice!

I have always been a sweets person, but since my surgery, and especially in the last 2 months, I crave sweets ALL the time! Sometimes I can quench it with a peppermint or some gum, but sometimes I am craving straight up junk. Any advice?

THANK YOU! I was banded in Sept as well and am experiencing a very similar situation... lost, gained, lost, and then nothing. I appreciate all the advice as I am sure the other Kim does!

The local wellness center (hospital code for gym) offers a Zumba class twice a week. I am gearing myself up to go, even though I am a bit intimidated by the class and the skinnies. My question is... anyone done zumba? Feelings about it? Recommendations? Thanks! And good luck to everyone!

Thanks, everyone, for all the helpful advice. Thankfully, all pay for fills is my copay. I kinda thought maybe restriction already was too good to be true, but at least I know what to look for now. Thanks again!

I had my second fill of 2cc's December 16th. I now have a total of 4cc's in my 14cc band. I immediately felt some of the elusive "Restriction" and even had a few stuck episodes. I was thrilled to finally to know what everyone meant! By New Years, however, it was gone. Now I have read about this happening, so I am not overly concerned. Disappointed, but not concerned. My question is, Am I closer to restriction now that this has happened. Should I ask for a smaller fill at my next appointment (Jan 26th)? I did gain about 2 lbs over the holidays and it's almost all gone now, but I am not sure what the scale will reflect by my appointment. Any advice? Thanks! And good luck everyone!

I personally love Cacique from Lane Bryant (I am still too big for VS bras). Right now they have a buy 2 get 2 free sale going on. The price is comparable to VS and they will measure you in the store for the right fit! VS will measure you, too. I am looking forward to bra shopping. My first non-scale victory was my 44DD getting to big. Now I am comfortably in a 42DD, but I know I need to get measured again. Good topic, btw! Best of luck to everyone!

My sister and I used to make these ALL the time when we were growing up. It actually comes from a kids cook book called Kinder Krunchies (was put out by a local day care). I did some math on the ingredients and included my best estimates on calories and Protein. Hope you enjoy! Tuna Treats 1 can Tuna in Water, drained 2 eggs 1/4 peas 1-2 slices of bread, crumbled parmesan cheese salt and pepper to taste Combine tuna, eggs, peas, and bread. Spoon into a greased muffin tin. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Servings: 6 Calories: 75 Protein: 7g

Since I was banded back in September, I have noticed that I am losing a great deal of hair. It is not noticable to anyone else because it was so thick to being with, but everyday when I shower and then when I brush it out, there is MASSIVE amounts of hair coming out. Also, there is more of my hair in the lint trap in the dryer than my critters! So, question one, is this normal? Question two, Biotin? Vitamin E? Some other supplement or magical cure that helps? Thanks, and good luck to everyone!

I was experimenting this morning and came up with an interesting combo... 1pkg NSA Vanilla Carnation Instant Breakfast powder 1 scoop Vanilla Protein powder 8oz Almond Milk 1pkg Alpine SF Apple Cider Mix I mixed it with ice and it reminded me of an apple pie with vanilla ice cream. I drank every drop!

Try some almond milk. Non Dairy Non Soy. Not too bad!

I had my first fill almost 2 weeks ago and I have the occasional port soreness since. Is this normal?

Most plus sized woman have at least heard of Woman Within, Roamans, Jessica London, etc... BUT, there is a website called BCOutlet.com that sells all their clearance for a fraction of the cost! I have been purchasing from them for over a year now and have been very pleased! It's a little hit and miss with some sizes and colors because is the last of the clearance items, but sometimes you can score GREAT deals! Good luck everyone!

I was told that I need to take a Multivitamin daily. No problem! Then someone tells me to take a Calcium supplement. Alright, got that too. Then someone else says Biotin. What is that? Then my doctors say I need B12. STOP!!!! My surgeon advised to take the multivitamin. He said no need to the calcium (I take a small dose anyway). Biotin only if I have hair loss issues. But the B12 was recommended by my primary and my Gyn. (I don't see my surgeon again till December). I feel like I am in a see of supplements! Help!

I was never told by anyone at any point to not take my BC pills. As a matter of fact, they even went so far as to tell me if I usually take it the morning, to take it the night before (I take mine at night anyway). BUT... I have had 3 periods in the six weeks following surgery and the last one was so abnormal I saw my GYN today. She assured me that it was all related to the surgery, but you never can tell.