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:

That's so fantastic, Alexandra!! You must have felt brilliant - Congratulations! I'm sure your kids will remember it for years to come

How exciting for you and YOUR KIDS!!! You truly are an inspiration.....way to go, girlfriend!!

Alex, that is such a beautiful experience to share with is. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. You are so blessed!!

Alex what a great story..I'm so happy for you...Be proud girlfriend

Thanks everyone! This really was the biggest victory I've experienced, no question. I was sailing around that ice thinking that THIS is what it was all about. I can't wait to go again. I want to take lessons!!

Now, let's just hope I don't get crazy and break something next time.

And just so you know, ice skating burns about 500-600 calories an hour. (More if you weigh more than average, of course).

What an awesome accomplishment, a memory you and your girls will treasure forever. Its stories like this that really keep me going and motivate me. I am so happy for you

We share the same reasons for lapband surgery...and just hearing the excitement and pride in your post brings chill bumps to my arms! That's the ticket, girl....skate away! A big hug of joy for you! Cindy

Congrats Alex...that's just awesome. I can't even remember the last time I ice skated or roller skated and I love those things when i was a kid. We skated daily all year round...my dad even built a skating rink in the back yard and we skated until 10 at night. Congratulations on this great step!

Awesome! Awesome! Awesome!

So happy for you.

You should be on cloud nine! Make room for me, here I come. I too have childrren that have were a determining factor in my desicion to get banded. Yes, I worry about them if something were to happen, God Forbid. However, I want to be able to enjoy as much as their childhood WITH them as I can.Also on a vanity sidenote. My mom was the prettiest mom in my school. I would be so happy when she would come to school. She made all the other kids happy and they would tell me how pretty she was. I do not want my children on the other end. I don't want them ashamed of me or embarrassed (for me) in front of their peers.

You hit a nerve in all of us Alex...... thanks for sharing.

Just goes to show you folks..... there IS ALWAYS HOPE !!!!!

Alex this is such an awsome NSV!!!! I haven't been on LBT as much here latley and haven't been on the right track as much as I was for the first 8 months...but reading post like yours is what will help me get back on track. I need to come here and read and post because it helps me see other victories and pushes me to have more victories of my own!!! Thanks for sharing your sweet success!!!!

Dear Alex,

THANK YOU for sharing your success! It is SO encouraging to me, who is just starting this journey! ENJOY your kids! :thankyou:

We went again today, and nope, it wasn't a fluke. I can still ice skate!! :thankyou:

This time I saw a friend there (by accident) and she had a camera. She took a pic of Catie and me on ice, and I'm supposed to get it next week. I'll share, I promise!

Man, are my legs going to hurt tomorrow. But it's the good kind of pain. I'm loving this!! :biggrin1: :biggrin1: :biggrin1: