Well, this is rather a shy start! I'm 35 and have recently started on the road to bariatic surgery, following the realisation that Diets Don't Work. I lost about 40 lbs on a very low cal diet but couldn't keep the weight off. My husband and I are thinking of starting a family, and the thought of being another 30+ lbs over my current weight, is terrifying.

Although I suffer from arthritis, I'm otherwise fairly fit and healthy, but the general trend of my weight is upwards, and I want to get this sorted once and for all!

 So, I've had my first assessment with a surgeon here in London - he's basically the British king of gastric surgery, so I know I'm in safe hands. I'm self funding as here in the UK, the National Health Service wouldn't pay for me unless my symptoms were much more severe, and I also wouldn't have a choice of surgeon. We also have private insurance but again this kind of surgery isn't covered, so I'm using my hard earned savings to pay for this! It'll be about £12,000 all in, which is about $22,000. It's a lot of money but I see it as an investment in myself.

My husband is pretty shocked that I feel this strongly about it, and is also worried about the risks of surgery, but he's also being very very supportive. He knows that the changes in me will affect our whole relationship, and we've tried to talk about this too.

Anyway, I have to have a psychological assessment (it's all included in the price) and then will hopefully have my surgery sometime before the end of the year! Yikes, it's all a bit quick but I'm also REALLY excited about it all too!

I haven't seen anyone else British on here, but if there are, please identify yourselves!!