Alexra

A baby is great motivation 2 lose weight.... I had 2 kids pre band and just had twins after losing 140 lbs with the band... I am now on the Quest to lose 38 pregnancy lbs and hope to have my band re-filled in the next month or so. you look beautiful in that picture. Believe it or not, after you have the surgery and lose some weight you will be looking high and low in your house for the pictures of yourself when u looked in your eyes the biggest, just to show people how far you have come.

Hey Everyone, Just thought I would start checking in again on LBT. I have had a busy 6 months since I have really been able to log on. Its time for me to turn to you, my fellow bandsters for support and inspiration. I swear I will be reading all the "new posts" I have missed for the next week, Boy you have been a busy bunch hahaha. I managed to keep my weight off and do quite well over the past year, I was down a total of 140 lbs and feeling great. once the holidays came around I started to struggle with weight again, those pounds started to creep back on (I only gained 8) but it was enough to scare me into getting a fill. So I had my most recent fill on Dec14, 2006. The Dr seems to think I may have a leak in my port or perhaps somewhere in the band which causes me to slpwly lose restriction. The fill was wonderful for a while then hunger becan to rear its ugly head again about 2 weeks later. Yup just in time for christmas ahhh all the food and parties again. so I ate and I gained then I went to aruba the second week of January while there of course you go out and have fun, eat drink and be merry right???? Well I was sick, nauseaus, couldnt keep a thing in me, vomiting at least 6 times a day and generally not feeling myself. I did a little counting in my head when I got home because I was still feeling ill and realized I was LATE! Well low and behold my december/january weight gain was due to being pregnant! NOW.... not only am I just pregnant I am pregnant with TWIN BOYS! wow, now that explains my hunger from christmas on, my excessive vomiting (I had my fill removed in February to be able to ingest enough food for the pregnancy and to generally feel comfortable) Of course also to reduce the tightness and lessen the risk of a slip from the morning noon and night sickness. I am currently going into my 5th month of my pregnancy, I feel GREAT although I am having a hard time emotionally seeing the weight come back on.... up 24 pounds but the babies are doing great and I have to keep telling myself I am gaining this weight to give my twins a good start at a healthy birthweight when they are born. My other 2 little boys are awake now, So much for free time (its going to be less in about 4 months) hahah so I better tend to their needs and enjoy my time as I know I will be busier than ever soon. Take care xxooxx

Thats the beauty of the band, I had it unfilled to be able to get in the right nutrition for the babies. It stays in place while pregnant and then about 6 weeks after giving birth I will have a fill put back in to help me lose the weight again.

Keep us posted..... I hope it was nothing and you are feeling better soon.

Yeah I am a myspace junkie... as well, my page is at.... http://www.myspace.com/alexandragorski

Not having it, bought a sporty convertable instead with the money I was saving for PS. I feel comfortable in my body and although there are areas of loose skin, they are not overly bad and can be hiddne with clothing. I have no aspirations of becoming a swimsuit model, my husband loves me for who I am, who cares if I have lose skin. I'll keep my saggy skin and look hot driving around in my new car. They cant see whats under my clothes and what they dont know cant hurt them.

It has been a wonderful year. At this time last year I was in surgery, ready to change my life for the better. For the better I most definately have. I have lost a total of 133 lbs in a year and feel great! I went from wearing a size 32 to a comfortable 14 or 16 and I am still losing! I can run, play, breathe, wear nice clothes, I have confidance the soars (maybe too much at times) I can turn heads.. :confused: Because I feel so good about myself I have decided to not undergo plastic surgery I dont have that much excess skin, you cant see it when I am dressed. I have no aspirations to wear a 2 peice bathing suit or be a model. lol! my husband loves me and my saggy skin and all, so I bought myself a sports car yesterday a congratulations on the new you gift to myself. I need ideas for a Vanity Plate... NJ takes up to 7 letters or Numbers... I was thinking wither "HOTMAMA" or "LAPBAND" Give me your ideas.... I will attach a pic of my new "Stang" Yellow Convertable with White Leather Interior and a White Top... Looks Hot

OMG I love all these suggestions I may have to change the plates on my other 2 cars as well :confused: thank you girls and guys you are great!

More like you dont trust me Alexandra :confused: See you thursday

Wow thank you "yoda" I love your ideas!

Thanks everyone.... Alexandra, It is a 4 seater... I can bring the kids.... I dont know if tha is a pro or a con yet.... lol Want me to pick you up for Thursday??? You comming with me????

hmm say lots of wild nights with the hubby..... Great exercise... No in all seriousness.. . " I ate less (which is true) and exercised more (also true)"

congratulations!!!!!!! See u at group tomorrow?

Just as soon as you feel up to it... if that means 2 days after surgery... you go girl At least those are my surgeons directions....... other Dr's may differ.

You look amazing! I can't wait to have it done myself. Thank you for sharing. Thank you thank you thank you....

Yep, done that lots of times.....in the beginning.

You are fine, the port is attached to the abdomonal wall which is muscle. You just strained it a little. (even 11 months out from my surgery I have done it.) Dont worry yourself about it at all..... If it continues to hurt for a few days, then I would call Dr. Abkin or at least Linda at the offices. If it still worries you. Linda is in the office today call her, she returns calls I promise ,and have her set your mind at ease. You're doing good girlie 17 lbs so far how wonderful.

ok so you fell off the "wagon" pick yourself up and get back on track. You will do fine, it takes a little getting used to.

I started at a 30/32 I am currently in a 14/16W and would love to be a 12 regular.

Alex, I am so happy to hear everything went fine. I was just going to call u and see how things went today.. when I stumbled upon your update here. I want to be there when Dr Gloom and Doom finds out you were right and he was all pessimistic for no reason I am doing a happy dance for you. :huggie: :drum: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: Weather looks good for this weekend. Maybe the park again????? Talk to you later

I thought I would share my before and after Pics with you guys/gals as well.

Hi there my fellow April 2005 Bandsters. I have had a great year, I started off my journey at 353 pounds (a heck of a lot to lose) I am currently down 130 lbs and weigh 223 pounds. I want to lost at least 30 more before I go to see a plastic surgeon for a consult on a tummy tuck. I have had 3 fills and I have what I consider to be moderate restriction. I Hardly ever pb and can eat about 6 - 8 oz at a time. I have become really active in Lap-Band education, My surgeon considers me a star patient. I have enjoyed speaking at his new patient seminars twice a month, I co-moderate a support group with another bandster Alexandra from LBT. I am now beginning to speak at the surgeons pre-op classes and will be on his new web page in the future. This board helps me in an amazing way, everyone here has been so helpful and supportive. I dont know if I would have come this far without it. I look forward to hearing how everyone else is doing. We are all in this together and need each others continuned support.

There is something out there called beneprotein, by the same makers of benefiber. It has to be ordered through them.. Check the benefiber bottle in the food store to find out who makes it then check their web page. Anyway the beneprotein is a powder that has 6 grams of Protein per teaspoon, you can add it to coffee, mix it yogurt, put in spaghetti sauce etc. A good way to get in more protein. Dont worry too much though, between your shakes and your food you will get it all in.

IsoPure available at GNC is also clear

Kelly, you should be so proud of how far you have come in one year. You look great and I am sure feel great as well, you are an inspiration to myself as well as others.