My pre-op diet starts tomorrow when I will be 14 days pre-op, so I figured today was as good a time as any to start my diary. Hopefully writing everything down (even if nobody reads it) will help keep me focused and further down the line, if I feel myself falling off the wagon, will remind me why I don't want to let myself get back to the state I am in now.

So - hi! I'm Natalie, I'm 23 and living in London with my lovely boyfriend. I'm originally from Manchester (about 200 miles away) and sometimes I get really lonely living so far away, which doesn't help with my emotional eating! At my first consultation I weighed 235 pounds and had a BMI of 44. I fully expect that has gone up since then though. I have had a very bad week and have definitely felt kind of sad about the fact that my relationship with food is going to have to change forever, and so have had lots of my favourite foods before I give them up. I know there are differing opinions as to whether this is a good thing to do or not, but I feel like I have had my 'grieving period' and am ready to start my pre-op diet tomorrow knowing that, actually, it has made me feel rubbish and I don't like how these foods make me feel. Had a bit of a 'Eureka' moment earlier when I finished my dinner and felt sad that I would not have a 'normal' relationship with food again - but then it hit me like a tonne of bricks that the way I eat now is definitely not normal, and if anything, being sleeved will (hopefully!) bring me a lot closer to 'normal'.

I'll end this post here to stop me from boring you all, but I feel like this is going to almost be my therapy - my boyfriend is very slim and active and fit and he doesn't understand at all (although he tries his hardest to!) so here I can almost talk to myself! I will check in tomorrow to make sure I am keeping on track!! Nx

Has he moved out then, Nathalie?

I couldn't recommend going and seeing the world more highly. Having done it myself - it changes you. And totally for the better.

Next on my list to do is.... The South Pacific... (I want to be part of my own Blue Lagoon film. Just without the unplanned pregnancy!)

Back to work today - two of my colleagues commented that I look like I have lost weight! Yesssss!!

Another benefit I have noticed is that I had very red stretch marks on my stomach. I am sure I am not imagining it but it seems they have faded an awful lot. Has anybody else noticed this?

Back to work today - two of my colleagues commented that I look like I have lost weight! Yesssss!! Another benefit I have noticed is that I had very red stretch marks on my stomach. I am sure I am not imagining it but it seems they have faded an awful lot. Has anybody else noticed this?

I bet it felt great when they noticed!! Congrats to you:) and as far as the stretch marks, i don't have really red ones so I cannot comment.

That's awesome that they commented! I bet that made you feel fab! How's the eating & drinking going now? Any less queasy? I got my sleeve date yay- Nov 20 get here now! Take care thanks for the update!

Keep forgetting to update this thread. Oops! Weighed myself today - I am down from 240lb the day before my 2 week pre op diet to 201lb this morning. So I am down 39lb in 6 and a half weeks. So close to Onederland!!

I'm definitely not eating enough though - and I know I'm not. I have absolutely no interest in food and I am finding it really difficult to motivate myself to eat anything - especially as I am still on purées so my choices are kind of limited. I'm trying to make sure I drink half a (UK) pint of milk a day and sometimes supplement my calories with a teaspoon of smooth peanut butter before bed. I'm seeing my surgeon and nutritionist next week so hopefully they will be able to help.

Apart from that though, I feel amazing! I already have so much more confidence and I wore a pair of heels all day yesterday without being in agony. I seem to be choosing to be more active too now - I have started walking to a train station that's further away on my way to work. And I do it without even thinking! I sweat a lot less too. I can't wait till I can start exercising properly.

I hope everybody else is doing good!!

As of today I am officially in Onederland!! 198.8lbs!! Woohooooo!

Well done!! That's fantastic!!

Thank you, Sanks!! How are you doing?