My daughters, Gillian and Catie, were 4 and 2 when I was banded back in 2003. I was 340 lbs and unable to be an effective or involved parent in many ways, and this was the straw that broke my camel's back with regard to WLS.

My goals have always involved getting healthier, more mobile, stronger, etc. so I could keep up with them. When they were preschoolers I was talking about just keeping them out of traffic and following them around on the playground. In my tiny, silent dreams of WLS success, though, I imagined one day being able to do things like run, jump, bicycle, even roller skate and ice skate when they got old enough.

Last night one of my wildest dreams came true. We went ice skating, and I COULD DO IT!!! As a kid I skated regularly but was never any "good," and it's been at least 25 years since I set foot on ice. And I was scared, to say the least. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined how quickly it would come back to my muscle-memory, and how fast I'd be able to skate around the ice with the speeding teenagers.

It was amazing!! I didn't fall once, and only hung on the wall to help my kids. I am absolutely on cloud nine and feel like I have won the lottery. :biggrin1:

:bananapowerslide: :Banane25: :Banane44: :woot:

Congratulations!

Where did you go to skate? Call me next time I'd love to go BTW back from aruba with a tan

We went to Aspen Ice, and yes, I saw Time In. I want to go there, bad. Can we drop the kids off and go do some skating?? How cool would that be?

Tan? I hate you. (Not really. Just jealous.)

How great that is Alex! Congrats, I can hear the excitement in your post! :D

Congratulations Alex! That is a great accomplishment.

Alex,

when I read your post, tears came to my eyes.

I relate so well.

You have won the lottery - The lottery of life!

What an experience that your girls will NEVER forget... and neither will you.

Congratulations Alex! Keeping up with my kids (2 and 5) was one of the biggest reasons for me to have WLS, so I too can relate. Great NSV!

Alexandra.............Congratulations to you.......you have done a wonderful and amazing job.....

Alex,

You are such an inspiration! wiping the tears, I realize how much I wish this option as available when my kids were young> oh the time we miss.

I have 3 teenage kids, 16, 17 and 19. 2 girls and 1 boy, oldest in college in other state. I am soo happy to see me kids are proud of me, I always worried they were ashamed of the "fat" mom. when I mentioned this after lbs lost my son was mad, ok pissed,he never felt that way. Paul is very physical and knows all about fitness, so he is my gym partner and tells me what areas to work on. he hates his friends saying your mom looks hot, says hed rather I not shop with Stephanie, my 16 year old, she keeps me in the "cool" clothes that I am now only allowed to wear. she loves taking mom shopping and invites he friends and their mothers to come along. I would have been embbarrassed to go the Plus size and shes great except wants me to wear junior clothes - can fit but- heard the expression crack kills? means when pants are too low on waise - all jr. cjeans and your crack shows!

blah blah blah I talk too much, my point, you will be able to enjoy soo much with your kids now and teenage years when its the hardest common ground time and I have found a connection shopping and gym time.

Alex, I have tears in my eyes!! What a wonderful feeling. Your kids are pretty lucky to have you as their Mom. I am so VERY proud of you & completely understand everything you have felt. I can't WAIT to be where you're at!!!

Congrats Alex!

By the way, I told Dr. Abkin you sent me and he laughed and said you were a nice woman. :-)

Congratulations! You were a big influence in my decision to be banded. Your success is a great inspiration to us all.

I told my kids that if the band works for me and I lose weight, I hope that I can go bike riding with them again. I feel so bulky and awkward on my bike right now.

Once again, Congratulations!

Alex, that is so great. I had surgery because I wanted to be able to play with my first grandchild, So I know how you feel.

Way to go Alex!!!! NOW THAT IS SUCCESS!! I'm so proud of you and for you!!

And that, my friends, is an NSV to beat out all others !

Alex, you continue to amaze us. Here's to great health and happiness !:clap2:

Right on girl! That's next on my list. Haven't been on ice or snow skis in 100 pounds. I wish you'd have taken pics, but that's okay since you'll be going again soon!

I'm so proud of you, you've come such a long way. Lucky little girls, too.