PhDiva

Amie... That's what I did... there is a studio in my city, and I took the first belly dancing class they offered...I had so much fun, that I promised myself that if I got under 200lbs, I would sign up for a membership (as an adjunct to my gym workouts)....well, I made it!!! The studio offers all kinds of "exotic" and sensual classes....LOVE IT!!! And yes, I was sweating and sore!!!

I'm also a DD...the weight is coming off, but the twins are holding their own!! LOL I currently wear a "champion" that is made for DDs...but my favorite is "ENELL"...I first heard about them on Oprah...and now have two. They are pricey ($60.00)...but well worth the investment to me...the twins don't become "uni-boobs" and it holds them secure when I'm jumping and running...I workout, and it is PAIN-FREE!!!

I had my surgery late in the evening...and was up walking the next morning (shower and all, by myself)...then I hung out with my doctor...and then I went to the mall and took in a movie and some shopping. To be honest, I was banded on a Friday night...and Tuesday, I was back at work (without a soul knowing that I had the procedure!!!). I started walking at the gym that same week...and after about 2 weeks, I was lifting light weights. Because of my professional background in health, I knew how to pace myself. Unfortunately, my schedule eventually got the best of me, and took some time off from the gym...but I'm back...I work out usually 5-6 days a week (first thing in the AM)...and because I finally got under 200lbs, I treated myself to a 3 month membership to an exotic dance studio in the evenings...bellydancing, strip, chair, zumba...the works!!! I have an "anniversary" with my girlfriends coming up in Sept...and I plan to be down at least 25-30lbs!!!

In brief, I've been banded greater than a year...having great results thus far. I just recently had an "aggressive" fill so that I would have good restriction. I'm loving it!!! I'm now getting "full" and not overeating. My problem is that while I know I'm tighter than I've ever been, and I'm comfortable with it...I now have night time GERD...Now, I'm not sure if this is because my dinner hasn't had time to pass through my band...or if my allergies are just driving me crazy (which they have been doing for about 2 months now)... It seems that I now wake throughout the night with a mouth full of...well you know...but it isn't always slimmy froth. Often, it is mucous, just as I've always experienced from having allergies and colds. The difference is that it is happening during my sleep...and not allowing me to get full rest. I don't think I'm too tight...and I don't want to get an un-fill (because I'm really digging my results!!!) So, what do you think could be the problem? And also, how many hours do you let pass between your dinner and before going to sleep??? Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated!!!

Thanks everyone for your comments...they really do help! I might have failed to mention that the when I do have these coughing spells at night, there is productive mucous, as if I have an upper respiratory infection...And to be honest, I think I do have one. I'm a long term asthma, which I'm controlling, but it flairs at times, especially when the season/weather is changing... The reason I don't want to get the unfill is because I love that I'm finally getting full when I sit down to a meal...and that I don't eat the WHOLE meal!!! Until this fill, I was able to eat a FULL MEAL with little to no problems...especially if I ate slowly!!! Sooooooo.... the number on the scale is moving down (finally)....and I'm working out more (when I get hot from workouts, it helps to expel some of the mucous...and thats a good thing!)...Gym in the AM and Exotic dance in the PM...those are my new hobbies!!! Once again...THANKS!

Name...........Start........Current.......Goal.........To Go Candle..........205...........205........197..........8 cQQlgirl........215...........215........200.........15 destiny79.......255...........255........240.........15 Foofy...........242.5.........242.5......234........8.5 Jovi2673........217...........217........200.........17 KarenG .........189...........189........181..........8 kjl315..........227...........227........217.........10 kristin1031.....240...........240........225.........15 legster.........209...........209........196.........13 LessnLess.......164...........164........157..........7 Linda Lu........228...........228........215.........13 Longhorn........204...........201........195..........6 Rainer..........251...........251........241.........10 Redtulips3......225...........225........215.........10 Renewedhope.....213...........213........199.........14 Sades...........201...........201........190.........11 Suzzzie.........291...........291........280.........11 wombat712.......145...........145........135.........10 Brandymom1234...200...........200........185.........15 PhDiva 208 208 195 13...OK, So, I don't know how to add myself all nice and neat like everyone else...sorry!

I've become a sort of gym rat as well...however, I've slacked off a little this past month!!! On average, I'm at the gym 5-6 days a week, usually in the AM...but sometimes in the PM...and then sometimes twice a day!!! I do about 45 minutes of cardio, followed by weights for a body part...and I do abs every workout!!! As a therapist, I know there are three ways to lose weight: 1. decrease your caloric intake 2. increase your level of activity 3. do both! What works for me is the combination of both. I could do either 1 or 2 all life and not see any results, but as soon as I do them both, the weight comes off...and I look great!!! (at least that is all I've been hearing!) So, this week, I will be back at the gym...in full force. As a matter of fact, I'm heading to bed now, in hopes of getting there at 5AM!

I used my highest weight, which was when I decided to have the surgery. By the time my date actually came up, I had lost about 13lbs. Since then, I'm now down a total of 55lbs!!! And I plan to drop another 40 more...depending on how I "look"...