Hello fellow sleevers,

Well tomorrow will be six months since my surgery. Wow, what a ride. For those that haven't read my other blogs, in summary, I had my surgery on 03.09.2012 and my start weight was 173kg (382 pounds). Two days after the surgery, I had emergency surgery due to sepsis from a leak. I was in ICU on a ventillator and later transferred to the surgical ward where I remained (bumping back and forwards from short stays in the ICU) for the next two months.

I came home in November 2012 and have been home ever since. I haven't had to go back to hospital but have to admit that it's only now that I no longer freak out completely (there is still a little freaking out) when I get a twinge in my tummy.

I am back at full time work. I recently applied for and was awarded a pretty significant promotion at work. I am far more active socially now then I was previously and certainly have more energy.

So how have things changed?

Well, I now care about how I look. I don't just look in the mirror and keep going. I stop, have a proper look lol.

I have more confidence - I would never have considered applying for this promotion previously. I also feel much more confident when I go out. Not dating (yet lol) but it's at least an option now where as before I totally would have rejected as even a possibility.

I move quicker and more easily now - I work with kids and I can run, chase and play on the floor. With my own little fellow, I can do things with him. Go swimming. We're actually going on a holiday to the Gold Coast soon and I bought swimmers to wear whilst I am away!

I hate saying this because before surgery I would have totally denied that I was unhappy, but I AM happier now than I was before. How can I not be? It is easier to move, it doesn't hurt to do things. I can easily get in the bath tub and enjoy myself without being squished in and worry I won't be able to haul my butt outta there.

My start with the sleeve sucked and I caution anyone who is thinking about this surgery to really understand what will happen if things go wrong. Take precautions. Make sure that you have things sorted out financially if you can't work for several months.

I'll get off my soap box now and share some before and after picks. So to recap, my start weight was 173kg (382 pounds) and my current weight is 110kg (242 pounds). I still have a lot of weight left to lose (another 38 pounds or 17kg to get to my surgeon's goal and 35 kilos or 76 pounds) to get to my goal.

Hope you're all going well! Cheers, Lila