Thanks heart I've basically heard the same on a LJ community I'm a part of as well, atleast about the bead. I think I might try it, but I also think I might wait 'til I can have someone else with me if I can't do it myself.
As for the stretching...I'm undecided, you're the second person that told me it hurt. That will come in the future anyway, as I'm definetly not doing it until a year has passed 3nodding