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 ...