I am in my 21st year of being on a diet.

In that time, I have followed a countless number of weight loss programs; counting calories, fat free, high protein, no carbs, no protein, prepackaged meals, shakes, the famous cabbage soup diet and the list goes on, and most have been successful at all different levels.

Then, sooner or later, the weight starts creeping back on, sometimes slowly, sometimes at a gallop, but always bringing a few extra kilograms with it.

When is a diet no longer a diet but a new way of eating?  Or a change of lifestyle or whatever else it is refered to other than a diet.  How do you maintain focus for long enough to lose a lot of weight?  The first few kilos are always a breeze, but when you get up over 10 or 15 kilos, it starts to get difficult..

Who has the answer?  Is it weight loss surgery?

Weight loss surgery seems to be the current craze, fad, fashion with a lot of people of all ages, taking that path.

Looking around at the people in my circle of family and friends, there are a lot of people that I know, who have had either lap band surgery or gastric sleeve surgery.

Seeing the success that these peoplea have had, I have considered it as an alternative.  What stops me is the fact that I don’t know what the implications are for my later years.  Has it been around long enough for this to be known?

Also to consider, is that we are talking about surgery, and this in itself carries risks, especially for someone who is overweight.

I am a list person..  I love making lists and having something to check off as I go.  So following diets that involve menu plans are the ones that work best for me.

So, my real question is, how hard would it be to eat like you have had weight loss surgery, without actually having the surgery?  That is, having 5 to 6 tiny meals a day.   Would it work?  Should  I take a multi-vitamin?  What food groups would be essential?

I guess I’ll need to make a list…