'I spent thousands on a mummy makeover - what happened after made me cry'

A mum who says a ‘mummy makeover’ changed her life says women shouldn’t be shamed for wanting to feel confident in their own bodies.

Kelly Whittaker underwent the cosmetic procedure in July 2024 after spending years struggling with excess skin.

The 39-year-old's journey began following the birth of her son in 2007.

Like many women, she experienced significant physical changes during pregnancy, eventually gaining 5.5 stone.

Although the weight quickly dropped off with the help of doctor-prescribed tablets, the rapid loss left her with sagging skin all over her torso.

Despite her unhappiness, Kelly resigned herself to the idea she would have to live with her post-pregnancy body forever.

“Once the skin sags to that extent, no amount of diet, exercise, or cardio will ever get rid of it,” Kelly told the Manchester Evening News.

“I tried for years – yoga, Pilates, HIIT programmes, you name it, I tried it. While different things would minimise it, it was always still there.

“It was horrible. A lot of new mums struggle with loss of identity anyway. They’re suddenly no longer themselves; they’re a mum and a partner and responsible for this new being.

“A lot of new mums do struggle to figure out who they are after having kids.

“Combined with the loss of your physical appearance, it’s a lot. It took cognitive therapy for me to stop judging myself.”

Kelly says she always hoped to have surgery to remove the excess skin but it felt “inaccessible” to her, especially after being told she didn’t qualify for the treatment with the NHS.

“I’d always wanted to have surgery to have it removed, but it felt inaccessible to me,” she added.

“I put it to the back of my mind assuming it would never be available to me. I would learn to