Tricia K.

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.

I guess we have the same type of friends 'cause this was mine as well. While drunk with friends, you fall down a flight of stairs and break your neck. Thinking you've simply passed out, your friends ignore your lifeless body for hours.

Holy CRAP girlfriend!! I didn't realize you were at 199!! That's freakin' awesome. Congratulations!! :clap2: P.S. Signature included for Heather's benefit! *hugs*

To those people - - Bah Humbug!! Personally, I don't put my sig in every post because mine is long and takes up a lot of space. I do keep it there when I respond to threads made by new members though.

LOL!! Oh, I plan on "working it" like crazy now. I took a break for a week but I'm back in the game full force now. But, you're always welcome to come visit!! Hee hee. Oh wait, I'll be seeing you in July when we come visit Orlando. If I'm not down some more weight by then, you have my permission to kick my ass!! Heck, I might even kick my OWN ass!! Ha ha!!

This was my test result! No pregnancy detected

Congratulations, Ceparano. I think I dropped 2 pounds over the weekend because I'm back down to 199 again. Ugh...I certainly hope this latest fill does the trick. I was so used to an average monthly loss of 10 pounds but have only lost 11 (or 12 if you count the few days I was at 198) in the past 2 months. I guess I shouldn't complain considering I'm only 38/39 pounds away from my goal weight.

Since I'm back to 199 now, I'm definitely in this challenge. I want to be at least 190 by June 21st. I'm hoping to be 189 but I'm trying to be realistic. Good luck, everyone!!

Hi Telly! Good luck trying to get back on track. I'm doing the same thing. My weekend went well. My friend was here from the 13th to the 21st so, yes, she has left. I did have fun though. I hadn't seen here in about 7 years so it was nice to catch up. I didn't necessarily go hog wild but I did have 3 shots on Friday night. Buttery nipples - - yummy!! I'm not much of a drinker so I was tipsy, to say the least. I also ate quite a bit of "unhealthy" food this past week. Now that I'm back on track, the scale is moving down again. I'm seeing 199 again, which makes me extremely happy.

Heather - great pics! I like the new do and your daughter is just adorable. She takes after her Mommy! Funny - I would be pissed about my hair too. I mean, what gives these people the right to just do what THEY think would look good on you. Unless, of course, you specifically tell them to go ahead and do what they want. I hope the color comes out really soon. Oh, and I can't wait to see those pictures. It sounds as though you had a blast!! Rock on, girly. Telly, P'Nut & Emilee - *hugs* for all of you!!

Congrats on your upcoming surgery. As far as medicines are concerned, your level of restriction may dictate how large of a pill you can tolerate. If possible, try to get a liquid alternative of what you're taking. If the 2 smaller pills are smaller than the size of a regular M&M, you shouldn't have any trouble. Good luck!

Breakfast: 16 oz. coffee w/ non-dairy creamer & 2 Splenda Snack: 16 oz. protein shake made w/ skim milk Lunch: 1 hush puppy, 1 crab stuffed shrimp Dinner: 1 hush puppy, 1 crab stuffed shrimp Snack: 6 cups microwave kettle corn Total Calories: 937 Total Fat: 36 grams - 33% Total Carbs: 88 grams - 34% Total Protein: 78 grams - 33%

Starr Silverwhip

Plans for today: 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 Belated Birthday lovin' from my husband :kiss