Like many of you, I am a foodie. I love most foods (exept organs - I just can't go there!) and that is where my problem started! The texture of a perfectly grilled steak, the smell of home made chocolate chip cookes, the armatic flavors of Thai food just put me in the happiest of moods when I know I am about to indulge in some type of culinary delight!

When I first began reading about lap band, I thought, could it be real? Can I still enjoy food but eat only a small portion and be satisfied. Sign me up! It seemed almost too easy, until the reality sank in and I was told to do the South Beach Diet for 3 months. It's not a bad diet. It's actually the first diet I've ever stuck with - but then again, if I didn't do it, I couldn't get banded! Motivation and determination kicked in.

I started prioritizing the things I ate. I said no thank you to foods I loved and craved because they weren't part of my diet. When the preop diet, surgery, and first week of liquids was over I realized something about the lap band. This is not the easy way out! I've sacrificed, felt hunger like no other, and drank some nasty, nasty stuff for the sake of my health and my success! I can control myself! I feel so liberated - like food doesn't control my every thought and movement! I'm down 30+ lbs. since beginning my journey and can't wait to see what other discoveries I'll find while losing weight and gaining confidence! Best of luck to all of us!!!!

Determination--I like that in a person! Keep pushing on! I'm foodie too and TOTALLY get it!