This time 6 months ago I was waking up after my surgery in the ICU. After a moment on confusion and throwing up I started my road to recovery.

Before surgery it scary and so hard to imagine what life would look like now, and now I dont know what I was scared of.

The journey hasnt always been easy but it has been worth it. I spent alot of time working on myself, my relationship with food and with others. I still have a way to go to be where I want to be both in weight, the way I look and the way my life looks, but it all feels very achievable now.

As far as stats go to to date I have lost 105 pounds, and about 5 pounds from my first major goal....i work in kilograms, so to be in double digits will be my first big celebration. From there I have another 60 pounds to go.I wear anything from a 20 to a 14 now depending on the make. It is hard to judge but have been splurging on some goal outfits as I go along....at times I have bought clothes that are already too big for *shrug*

I still have some minor issues with reflux but control this with medication at the moment, still am hopeful I will get off these soon. I eat what I want, tho my body does crave healthier more nutrient rich food and am learning to control the binge urges more than I ever have.

I have been working out intensely since 6 weeks out, now work out twice a day averaging 5 days a week. My fitness is getting better and better.

There have been stalls and downs but I try take them with a grain of salt and keep working on the next goals, mix it up and keep moving forward. They can really do your head in if you let them.

I had my follow up with my GP last week and he did not recognise me. I am getting alot of comments, positive feedback and endorsements of what is happening, alot of positive, some people have also decided to add their opinions about who I was before and how I ate without really knowing anything about what i have gone through and the mental changes I have had to make with the physical.

Some highlights (NSV's if you like) from the last 6 months:

- Being able to run for over 20 minutes straight and extending that

- Fitting in and feeliing confident in my first little black dress

- Not complaining and actually wanting my photo taken now

- Last Friday night, being able to dance the night away in heels with only minimal pain after 7 hours

- Walking the whole parade route (back and forth) while in New Orleans for Mardi Gras

- No more extender belts on planes, feeling more comfy in those cattle class seats

- Not sure if this related but feeling less stress in my life, being able to hand stressful situations better, think this is more to do with my mental health that i have been working on, before I was a major stresshead

- Only taking pain killers twice since surgery, once because I drank way too much the night before, before I felt like I was always having some ache or pain

- Feeling like I want to jump, dance on a regular basis

Below are the before and todate pictures, the newest picture was from a work Ball I went to last Friday and we had our hair and make up done, I got so many comments and felt so good all night.

I still have work to go and plan to keep on keeping on.

At the end of the first year I am planning on taking a celebration road trip around the US...not celebrating with food.

Congratulations! You look beautiful.

Grats! You provided more inspiration for those of us still early in our post-op period.

Congrats to you! You're doing a great job.

Grats! You provided more inspiration for those of us still early in our post-op period.

Thank you

It hard work but so worth it, and you will get there soon too!!

Congratulations!! I'm so happy for you I also just hit the 6 month mark so I'm right there with you! Can't wait to see where we are at the year mark!

Also, way to go on the exercise!!! That is the one thing I've been lax on but plan on boosting soon

OMG! What an awesome transformation! Congrats! You look great!

I work with kgs too, and I'm sooooo close to 99 I can taste it LOL! That will be a major milestone for me!

Thanks for sharing your story. You are doing great! So happy for you!

AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!! CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations!! I'm so happy for you I also just hit the 6 month mark so I'm right there with you! Can't wait to see where we are at the year mark!

Also, way to go on the exercise!!! That is the one thing I've been lax on but plan on boosting soon

Thanks Emily

I am so excited to see what the next 6 months bring.

I cant imagine doing this journey without exercise in it, especially as I wanted to be active and fit at the end of the journey. Good luck and enjoy bringing exercise into your routine.

OMG! What an awesome transformation! Congrats! You look great!

I work with kgs too, and I'm sooooo close to 99 I can taste it LOL! That will be a major milestone for me!

I know the double digits is my biggest milestone yet...it eludes me..but it is litterally within reach, I had hoped I would be there by the end of t he month (was reasonable at the beginning of the month) but my body is not co-operating and is starting to stall grrrrr

Hope you get there soon.

Wonderful!! Congrats to you! You are inspiration!!

You look beautiful! Congrats on your successes! And, I love that hairstyle in your after pic!