Ah0505

You'll want the length to be a bit longer than your leg length. Try that to start, it's okay if it isn't, you'll just need to adjust your arm bend as necessary. Try to hold it for 15 to 30 seconds, no longer than a minute for each leg. You can do 3 or 4 reps as on option; hold for 10 seconds, release, repeat and try to extend further. If you don't find this helps at all after a few weeks of daily stretching you may seek out a good sports phys therapist. Your issue is most likely not just muscular tightness, could be ligament or tendon issues as well. If you find the stretching is beginning to help, get on that foam roller. It hurts like hell but rolling them out provides some release to the fascia, just like a good deep tissue massage. Start on your side with the roller under your hip area, can't do any harm to roll out you IT band (runs from knee to hip). Bend your top/free leg, foot on floor to give yourself some control on how much pressure/body weight you put on the side of the other leg. It will hurt, a lot. Once you've taken a few rolls there start to roll your body so that you are putting some pressure toward the hamstring, continue rolling. I suggest you do your quads also, if you're doing Xfit they are likely tight as well. Give it a go and let me know how it goes!!!

Try using a belt/scarf/strength training tube (typically a Thera Band is best but probably not readily available). Sit on the floor, place the ball of one foot in the center of your "prop" (belt/scarf/tube), grasp one end of the prop in each hand, lie on your back with free leg bent and foot flat on the floor, gently begin to extend the other foot toward the ceiling (using you prop to control and support the leg). Your leg will not straighten all the way if you are very tight in the hams. *****make sure your prop is nice and long so that you are not overextending those tight hammies**** Take it easy and slow. There are other ways if this doesn't feel right for you.

Got excited there for a minute!!! Bummer it was just about s#%*!

I mislead you, it wasn't the first but it was certainly the most gratifying thus far!

I'm 3 weeks out and I "gained" about 1.5 lbs and haven't lost anything in almost a week. It's not possible that I've gained any real weight, I'm not consuming more than 500 calories a day. I guess I'm just rolling with it, see what happens over time!

Does Southwest fly out of your home airport? If not, try orbitz.com or any of the websites that search low fares.

Me too, need to pick one up at Walgreens stat!

Is this normal? How do I get rid of it? Gagging trying to scrape the grossness off!!!

Thank you!!!

Thanks! Not sure it meets the criteria for thrush but now I know what to look for just in case.

You could also try Body Glide, distance runners use it to prevent chafing.

I know how you feel. Don't be scared, try to relax. Tomorrow you get to start a whole new chapter in your life!!!

I went alone, no problem. I did stay in the hospital for 3 nights though, didn't need to but I just found it easier.

I went to dr Corvala, he was great and so was his team. I was on my own and was thankful to be in the hospital for 3 nights. I could have stayed longer but opted to head to a hotel for a night before catching my flight home. The only "issue" I had was not speaking Spanish. Many of the nurses do not speak English, particularly at night. Can hardly call this an issue though!

Love, love, love the key lime flavor!!!

I had mine removed before I came home but I did shower with it while in the hospital. My dressing got wet but it was changed pretty quickly. How about taking a Baggie or strong plastic wrap and taping (waterproof tape) it over the dressing??? Or just grab some gauze and tape and just change the dressing after your shower?

Ditto above, not "painful" but a weird pulling sensation. Having the tape ripped off the tube site dressing is somewhat painful.

FYI... Made a bunch of mushy goop tonight in prep for tomorrow. Cheated and had a tiny taste of each, I survived.

I am supposed to start puréed and soft foods tomorrow too. Totally afraid of what will happen, barf, choke, blow stitches. I'm a little high strung though; I was afraid to try yogurt and it turned out to be a non-event.

I'm 2 weeks today and still sore, mostly on my left side. Now I'm curious as to how many people had their tummy removed from the right versus left side???

Surgery was 2 weeks ago tomorrow. Too soon to take something?

Can't remember who posted this earlier today, but it's genius and works.... Take a sip, blow excess air out nose, swallow, repeat...

What does it feel like going down? Such a pansy!!!!

I'm gearing up for it, thanks so much for the advice! Baby steps:-)

Pilates, find a good instructor that has experience with spine injuries/conditions. Work on the equipment rather than on the floor and work one-on-one rather than in a group. It will change your life, I've witnessed it:-)