By the time I hit 38 I realised I was never going to be as thin as I was in my 20s and the bits where my body liked to store fat were getting fatter. I always had a large stomach and as I got older it got fatter.

So I decided to fight back and show my stomach who was boss - I would have the fat vacuumed out! Of course, having made the decision it took some courage to actually see a surgeon and bare the fat bits. The surgeon said all the right things and I was condident he could vacuum away my worries. We arranged a time for the surgery two weeks away.

My friends were all fascinated and wanted me to keep a diary so they could decide if they should follow suit. I started the diary two days before L Day (liposuction day).

L Day minus 2

Maintaining outward calm but underneath very nervous. What if I'm scarred, lopsided or look ugly? Will I be able to cope with wearing the world's ugliest underwear night and day for six weeks?

Eat huge amounts of chocolate to overcome fear. Have the ‘before' photos taken - how depressing! I look like the side of a house, but luckily this strengthens my resolve.

L Day minus 1

I think I'm under control - but since I'm hyperventilating, can't concentrate and keep dropping things, I suspect I'm not.

L Day

I'm quite resigned and basically just want it to happen. Since I'm not allowed to eat the only thing I want to do is have breakfast - even though normally I wouldn't care at all.

My doctor marks up the areas on my tummy with balck texta before prepping me for surgery. I don't remember very much of the actual procedure but later, after much suctioning of fat, I'm not feeling too bad, although I suspect this is because the local anaesthetic hasn't worn off.

When I first stand up I am completely takenby surprise. I feel like one of those cartoon characters who gets shot and blood pours out of the holes. I put my clothes on to go home and in two minutes they're soaked with fluid.

Once the local wears off, I start to feel the pain, although it's not too bad. I figure a bit of discomfort will be worth it when I get to see the final results. But by the time I go to bed I feel faint and sick. Why did I do this? I must be insane!

Day One

I'm amazed at how good I feel - not faint at all and no after effects, just discomfort. My tummy is still flat but starting to bruise - a strange effect as the bottom part is swelling first. Not a sexy look.

Day Two

Had no sleep at all and feel terrible. Realised I took the instruction to buy tight ugly underwear too far - felt like I was being strangled. I lay awake, desperate to take off the ugly underwear but too afraid of the consequences. After buying the next size up I feel like a new woman - I can breathe again!

Day Three

Hot tip for liposuction victims - do not let yourself get constipated, it is a whole new journey into pain. Feeling quite frustrated today because I can't walk and do things normally.

Day Four

Went to the beach but had to stay in my shorts and T-shirt to cover the ugly underwear. Another hot tip - have liposuction in winter so covering up neck-to-knee underwear isn't a problem.

Day Five

Slept through the night for the first time and didn't need to take painkillers. I'm now a symphony in purple and yellow, as my bruises start to heal. Went for a long walk and even did some rock climbing - maybe this isn't so bad after all.

Day Six

Not so easy to find a cocktail dress to cover the ugly underwear. Had to keep my jacket on to cover up - and nearly passed out from the heat!

Day Seven

Decided to wear trousers on a flight to Brisbane - BIG MISTAKE! By the time I reached the hotel I was desperate to take them off and startled the porter considerably. Had my first massage - not too bad but I suspect it will get worse from here on in.

Day Eight

Had a great day at Movieworld but made a fatal error - went on the Batman and Robin ride. When they said it stops if you unbuckle your seatbelt, I thought I might be in trouble. I was very sore after that and got a seat belt mark across my stomach for my stupidity.

Day Nine

Feeling sore this morning and have a nice seatbelt-mark bruise. By the afternoon the pain has gone - assisted by good food and lots of wine.

Day Ten

Not so easy doing my own massage. My stomach is hard and distended, particularly around my belly button.

Day Eleven

Think I'm giving birth to a watermelon! My stomach is hard as a rock and takes forever to massage. It's quite uncomfortable sitting all day at work and by night my stomach is huge, hard and uncomfortable.

Day Twelve

Feel ugly, fat and depressed and cant imagine what it will be like not to have a swollen, hard stomach. So sick of wearing the ugly underwear night and day - can't wait for the day I regain my freedom.

Eight weeks later

Claudia Schiffer, eat your heart out! I have the proverbial ‘washboard' stomach. I fit into all those clothes I'd grown out of and feel fabulous. The fact I feel and look so much thinner has motivated me to lose weight. I've been dieting and lost a further three kilos.
The only problem is now my legs look fat - think I'll just wait until winter and have a little fat taken off the top!

Six months later

I am pleased to report that, six months on, I have the washboard stomach of my dreams. My wardrobe now consists of tight skirts and jeans all designed to show off my flat stomach.

However, not only did my stomach change, so did my body image. Pre-liposuction I saw myself as pear shaped, with narrow shoulders, small breasts, broad hips but slim legs. Post-liposuction my hips look narrower and therefore my shoulders also look wider. And because my stomach is flatter, my breasts look bigger. But now my legs look big in comparison, particularly my upper thighs.

Now I'll admit that the breasts looking bigger was an unexpected surprise, but I wasn't prepared for the bigger legs. I always prided myself on my good legs and suddenly the widest point on my body is no longer my hips but the top of my legs.

So I've been thinking: If I had a little bit of fat sucked out of my thighs I'd be back in proportion... I'll keep you posted!