One of the things I did realise about myself when I lost 10 kgs last year was that when I spent a lot of time looking for healthy foods and a lot of time preparing my meals, I became a little bit obsessed with food - finding it, preparing it, eating it. It took a lot of time out of my day. Which was fine back then when I was on maternity leave, but now I work 7.30am to 4.30pm, get home at around 6pm, cook, clean, put my baby to bed, then study from 8.30pm to 10.30pm. Then I flake out to start it all again the next day. In between that somewhere I also try to exercise 3 times a week, even if it's only a 30 min walk.

What makes me eat atm is hunger, otherwise I reckon I'd forget to eat. And the lapband controls hunger - so to me, that's perfect! Only eat as much as you need to feel full, except with the band it's 1/2 cup instead of a big plate.

The thing is, TheBear, I think you're doing a marvellous thing. And it's not like I haven't BTDT. But here I am back in the start. There is something very disheartening about falling off the wagon over and over again. I don't need to hear that eating better and moving more will solve my problem. I've tried that all my life. I have never been on a 'fad' diet ever. I've always tried to lose weight sensibly, but it doesn't stay off permanently.

So please don't doubt that it took me a lot of research and some real balancing of the pros and cons to have made the decision I have. If crippling my hunger is what is going to happen, then I'm ready for that.

And don't get me wrong, I think everyone should use the band as a last resort. It's MY last resort.