m1hocker

I'm new to this thread, although I have been lurking for a few days. I found out I was pregnant 3 weeks ago and I just had my first appointment today. My doctor does early sonograms on all his patients and we found out that we are having TWINS....AGAIN!!! We already have 1 set of fraternal twin girls that are 5 1/2 years old and then a single 2 year old boy and now we are being blessed with identical twins this time. I know the question that runs through people's minds is...did she have fertility treatments. Crazy as it sounds, but they were conceived naturally both times. We were planning for #4, but never in our wildest dreams did we think we would be getting #4 and #5. I have been through a little shock today and trying to understand and comprehend this whole thing. Maybe tomorrow the shock will wear off and I can get a better grip on this. By the way, you all have inspiring for me to see that you can be successful with the band and be pregnant. I have lost most of my weight, but that is about to change I'm quite sure. But the great thing is, I will have it waiting for me after the babies come. Thanks everyone for all your info on this thread and I look forward to hearing more on everyone's journeys.

After I lost a lot of weight after having my twins, I had to have my gallbladder taken out. Several doctors have told me that with rapid weight loss or a large weight loss that gall bladder problems can result. I would have it taken out if the doctor is recommending it. Take care of it before you have to deal with attacks...it's NOT fun. Good luck!!!

I have lost 76% of my excess body weight and am still losing at 1 1/2 to 2 pounds per week. You can do it if you follow a plan and have the will!!! Good luck!!

I love being FAT. It's actually a great feeling. Great job!!!

For breakfast, I have had a Slim Fast shake with a tablespoon of peanut butter and ice blended all together since I got the band 10 months ago. I just love the flavor and I never feel like eating in the morning and it keeps me full for 4 hours until next meal. If you are not consuming too many calories otherwise I don't see how it hurts anything. I have lost 82 pounds and for me it works. You have to do what works for your body.

Loving what is- I don't feel that way at all, just trying to voice my experience with a specific doctor and get some facts out about him that are true. He is a great doctor, check his stats; specific numbers, not just percentages; and anyone can find he is great. That is all I am trying to point out. I actually have had an experience with him.

I am basing my comment on the Surgery Center that my husband went to. They made the claim about him and being the only proctor in the midwest. Maybe I went too far by repeating that, but I feel that it possibly is the case. His stats are unbelievable and his patient care is amazing. He has done well over 850 surgeries, and yes I know that doesn't mean he is good, but people flock to him around here. That is the reason that he is getting a nurse pratitioner to help in his practice. The claim that Dr. Malley GAVE them the infection is just unsubstantiated. I suppose you can assume that, but unfortunate things happen and I'm guessing that is what happened. It's just odd that I saw in another one of your posts that you even mentioned that when patients get a port infection that nothing usually bad comes from it. This must have just been 2 cases of really bad luck. I think it is just up to each individual to research and ask questions to find out the true facts before just basing their decisions from a post.

I never said he was the only Doctor in the midwest, just that he is the only one that is a proctor in the midwest. I know there are several lapband surgeons around here, because I went to other seminars before choosing my doctor. And you know for a fact that Dr. Malley gave them the infection, right? Of course.

Well, that might be, but he is the only one in the Midwest that is doing it, so I can't imagine he is a bad doctor, as what some might think. He has provided the 3 of us with a great tool and has filled us properly and at a great pace for steady weightloss, without infections, and we have all been VERY successful. (Down 79 pounds in 9 1/2 months, sister down 122 pounds in 9 months and husband down 26 pounds in 1 month.)

I had my surgery done by Dr. Malley, along with my sister and husband, and he is an amazing doctor. He is actually the best Dr in the Midwest and Allergen has put him in the seat to train and educate new doctors on the band. He is their proctor for new doctors doing their first surgeries. As to a nurse practitioner doing the fills, she is going to be helping him out on the days he is in surgery and is not in the clinic. To me it sounds great because that opens up more days to get appointments. You have to remember, he is only ONE person. His practice has gotten so large because he IS so good. If you set 2 or 3 appointments at once, you should be in good shape to get in. As for the cancellations, I've had to change dates to accomodate Dr. Malley's busy schedule, but have always gotten in the same week. Maybe it has to do with you not being an original patient. I'm sorry that you have had such a bad experience with him, but I do believe that these incidents are far and few between. If you asked him his stats on complications and such, you would find he is well below the average. He is Great!!!

Mine is already very visible and I am hoping to be pregnant in the next couple of months, so I am kind of nervous to see what it will look like while pregnant. I'm sure people will wonder what in the world that protrusion is on my belly. Gonna be hard to cover the fact that I was banded for the ones who don't know. My belly button popped with my other pregnancies so what's another bump on the belly, right?!?

I am finally almost there. I weighed this morning and the scale said...200.0. That means just a tenth of a pound and I'm there. It has been 8 years since I have seen it. Congrats to everyone who is at this awesome goal and to those of us who are approaching!!!

Wow Rain. You have your hands full. Mine are 5 year old girls and I have a 20 month old boy also. I thought my girls were big at 6.8 and 7.0 pounds, but you put mine to shame. Mine were also taken at 2 weeks early. I was never on bedrest, although at times I wish I could have been. I felt like a house. And I have a roadmap on my stomach to show for it. But, I wouldn't have it any other way. Twins are so much fun. It only gets better and better...at least for now!!!

I had that problem about 2 months ago and I just got a slight unfill and it helped tremendously. My sister actually just got a slight unfill for that very reason 2 days ago. She likes to be tight, but she just couldn't handle it anymore when it came to liquids not going down at all. I've heard that being too tight can also slow the weight loss process???

We have very similar starting stats. I am 5'11'' and started at 273 and wore a size 11 shoe. Was also a size 24 in clothing as well. I also have a goal weight of 165 too. I have gone down 70 pounds putting me at 203 and in a size 16 now. I have also noticed a difference in shoe sizes as well. I had to buy a 10 in my last pair. It was such a great feeling. It is so hard to find a decent looking size 11 shoe. Tens just sound so much smaller. I just recently posted a before and during picture on the "before and after thread" if you want to get an idea of the transformation this far. My goal is to get into a size 12 or even maybe a size 10. I have been down to 157 about 9 years ago and that was my size then...but that was also before I had twins and a singleton and all this skin...ughh. Good luck on your journey. You will love the results!!!