Reality TV Star Undergoes Lap Band

?After years of trying to lose weight through dieting, reality TV star Lauren Manzo turned to lap band surgery. The star of "Real Housewives of New Jersey" tells US Magazine that she decided to have her procedure after reaching a high weight of 185 pounds.

Manzo admits to having some initial reluctance to share the surgery with her audience. Like many people who consider lap band surgery, Manzo was working with the false assumption that having a surgery was an easy way out in comparison to diet and exercise. For Manzo, this feeling of failure was fostered through years of unsuccessful attempts at weight loss through Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers and other types of commercial diets.

Additionally, Manzo's attempts to lose weight had been a focus of many of the storylines of her television show. Her mother Caroline faced particular disapproval from the public after criticizing her daughter's weight on-air. Manzo tells US magazine that a part of her felt like she would have been "letting down" all the women that followed and related to her weight loss journey by admitting to the lap band surgery.

However, Manzo decided to open up after receiving such a positive reception from her fans about her weight loss. After sharing her lap band decision, Manzo says that she has received additional support from her audience.

Manzo had the surgery in September of 2011. Her ultimate goal is to reach 120 pounds, though the star says she might continue on to 115 pounds, depending on how her body feels at 120 pounds. Thanks to the success brought on by the lap band surgery, Manzo is also looking forward to her very first summer in a bikini.