Nearly seven months after bariatric surgery---the verdict! It's all the 7's now---77.7 kilos.

If anyone asks me whether my bariatric surgery journey has been worth it I have an easy answer. That answer is a resounding yes. If you asked me if I would recommend my journey for you, I would not say yes quite so loudly, because I am not you. What has worked for me does not necessarily translate as a fix-all for others. Each person considering BS should get good advice from their doctor and do a great deal of thinking. My experience has been relatively easy and I was well prepared. I leant as much as I could about the process and I had lots of support from family, friends and the medical fraternity.
From a medical point of view, my health issues have either hugely lessened or disappeared altogether.
Type 2 diabetes---gone. No medication needed.
High blood pressure---way down--normal with very little medication required.
Sleep Apnoea--gone. No CPAC machine needed now.
Cholesterol-----normal and medication soon to be ditched.
Other issues---under control.
Energy and fitness---walking is fun now, not a chore and the dog thinks it's great.

Financial and fashion considerations: My food bill is way down and my clothing bill way up. I have had to ditch three lots of clothing but now that I have settled on about 77 kilos (I lost 42 kilos which represents about 33% of my body weight---BMI down from 41 to 26.
I now feel that I can make plans. I have always dreamed about buying a campervan. When I weighed 120 kilos, just getting into the van was an issue. Now I can easily climb up and driving it would be easier. I just have to sell heaps of books (Hint hint--download them on your Kindle or reading App by accessing my website and following the link  www.authorneilcoleman.com) before I even think seriously about buying a fully contained campervan. Then, I can hit the road in my weekends; fishing, writing and seeing NZ in full are dreams that now seem possible.
I could not have done this without the incredible support from my sister and my partner. Then of course there is Perdy, our crazy Jack Russell. Being able to keep up with her is a reward that has to be made in heaven.
In summary, I feel that I haver a second chance in life. yes, food is still important and very enjoyable, just the ration has changed. The world really does look brighter. I am happy to talk to anyone direct about 'my' experience but I will never say what is good for you. That has to be your decision. Contact me via my website and follow the link. www.authorneilcoleman.com

Just, get on with the job of 'fixing' Auckland, Len Brown and forget about the noisy 'hollier than thou' brigade.

Yes, we all know Len Brown used poor judgment when he allowed himself to be ruled by the regions of his body below the belt, but now it’s time to get on and deal with what we elected him to do---‘fix Auckland.’ He laid the basis for this in his first term and surprised a few opponents by what he achieved. Leave his family to deal to him re his recent transgression and let’s all move on. If we don’t we risk the on-going development of Auckland, simply because an irate group wants to see political blood on the floor.

Now is the time to complete and further the transport needs of Auckland, to address some ‘social’ housing issues and to plan for a future whereby Auckland truly deserves the name, ‘Queen City.’ Auckland is going to grow and even of the ‘regions’ of New Zealand follow the example of our biggest city, we are still going to see Auckland be the main recipient of the increased migration from overseas. Auckland is diverse and Len Brown’s understanding of that term is hard to fault.

What we don’t need is to see  night after night on our TV screens, the screams from strident protestors at every public appearance or the grandstanding ‘screechers’ at council meetings, all there solely to pass judgment on Len Brown. If they wish to do that, then maybe they should cast their eyes just a little further to other politicians and leaders (business an Governmental) and the war would be ‘on’ in every sense of the word. We want our leaders to govern, manage and plan for a better future, not get bogged down in looking over their shoulders, should something come up about their past. Focus, Len Brown, and keep doing (in your elected role) what we put you there for!

www.authorneilcoleman.com