amp56

I have always had a bit of weight problem.  Never anything severe, just always needed to "lose a few pounds."  After I had my first child, my thyroid basically shut down and I gained 60 pounds post-pregnancy within a few short months.  (I actually lose weight during pregnancy - go figure.)  Unfortunately, I have never been very good at dieting and over about 12 years, I allowed 60 pounds to become 70, 70 to become 80 - well, you get the idea. 
I love food and I love to cook.  My career, which is very important to me, is also very stressful and cooking is my outlet.  I love to create wonderful dishes and see the faces of those who enjoy those dishes.  That is the part that has always made keeping weight off after a diet so difficult for me.  
I had been considering lap band surgery for about 2 years.  It just always seemed like that extra little bit I needed to allow me to really change my eating habits.  Those considerations became much more serious when I started talking to a professional collegue (now a good friend) who was a huge proponent of lap band since he had lost 90 pounds using it and has kept it off for over 6 years now.  
I made that first phone call after I went outside one day in January 2011 to play some basketball with my son.  I was never an athlete, but grew up with brothers and was always pretty good at casual sports.  Well, I found that I could not even chase after the ball after I took a shot.  My good intentions to address what had become a serious weight problem needed to become something tangible.   So here I am ...