Very first post!

So this is it. My very first blog and my very first blog post.  As you probably already know I am a 36 year old mother of 2 embarking on a long journey to find the old me I used to be. So I guess I really should change the title of my blog to "The journey to the old me." But that just doesn't sound as exciting now does it. 

Why don't I just diet and exercises?
So some of you are probably thinking why don't I just go on a diet or exercise to lose the weight?  I can't tell you how many diets, fad diets, exercise programs, gym memberships, and diet pills I have been through in the past 14 years.  From Herbalife to Weight Watchers, South Beach & Adkins to Slim Fast Shakes, prescription diet pills and Medi Fast drinks.  It all works for a little while but eventually the weight comes back along with a few more pounds to boot.  You see; my stomach and my brain don't talk to each other any more.  My stomach never says "I'm full now you can stop eating."  I am finally to a point where I am ready to give up any food to rid myself of this weight.

Medical Issues
I have a few medical conditions that compound this problem. The ideal person for this surgery has a BMI of 40 OR 35-40 with some medical conditions. My BMI is 37.  I am pre-diabetic, my thyroid is not behaving properly anymore, I snore like crazy now so I'll be heading off to a sleep study soon to see if I have sleep apnea which is very dangerous. (my uncle died from it) And I have Restless Leg Syndrome; while it is not directly related to my obesity I am hoping that might go away once I loose some weight.

My Journey to Fatness
As with some of you I did not start gaining weight until I got married.  In 1996 I weighed 165 pounds.  I am 5'9".  I was in the Air Force at the time and shortly after I got married my weight crept up to 175.  I used Herbalife to lose weight and usually yo-yo dieted 10 pounds off on on for the next few years.
In 2001 I got pregnant with my first child and weighed about 200 a few months after his birth. 
From 2001-2006 my weight bounced around 200 pounds and I used diet and exercise to loose weight but usually gained back the weight.  In 2006 at about 180 I got pregnant with my second child.  During that pregnancy I got up to about 240 pounds.  After my daughter was born I went to a Weight Loss Clinic and started taking the prescription drug Phetrimine and got my weight down to about 170.
After the next few years after I stopped taking the drug my weight crept up to 250 bouncing up and down as I tried the latest diet & exercise programs.  I would say most of the weight packed on after I stopped working full time in 2008.

Journey To Surgery

After starting my steady routine of diet and exercise starting in November 2010 (insurance requires 6 months of a diet and exercise program with your Dr.) I brought up the idea of surgery to my Dr. I wasn't sure if I should have Lap Band or Gastric Bi-Pass.  She thought I was a good candidate for either surgery.  She has sent a Request for Authorization to my insurance company and a referral to the Dr. I would like to perform the surgery.  I have appointments set up already for orientation, lab work, support group (you have to attend 3 before surgery), and my first appointment with the surgeon.  Tomorrow I should hear back from the insurance company to see if I qualify for the surgery.  I'm guessing they will tell me I have to diet and exercise more but we'll see.  After I get the insurance squared away I will need to go to have a psychological evaluation, stress test and see a dietitian.