A woman who spent £25k on a "mummy makeover" warns others that going under the knife "won't cure all insecurities" - and people should love their body before and after getting the op. Erebi Bowring, 27, decided to get the surgery package - a tummy tuck, liposuction, a breast lift and implants - in February 2023.
Although Erebi "loved" her body before the surgery, she thought the surgery would make her feel "even better" after giving birth to her two sons - in June 2016 and September 2020. Recovering from disordered eating habits after having her children, she lost 5st 5lbs - going from and a size 16 to 10.
But after losing weight, Erebi says the "last step" was to remove the loose skin and she had surgery at Highgate Private Hospital. She decided to go under the knife after she saw her progress at the gym plateau, and received the surgery as a "push present" from her husband.
Despite family and friends discouraging her at first, Erebi is glad she got the surgery and encourages other mums to do it "if it makes them happy". However, she also shared warnings about the harsh reality of the major surgery - including not being able to move for days and even falling into a "deep depression".
Erebi, a stay-at-home mum from East London, said: "It's not an easy thing to do. The pain was the worst thing.
"It was weird knowing a couple of hours before I could move freely but then, all of a sudden, I couldn't move. It was a shock to the system.
"The most important thing women need to know is that it is a major surgery. Just because it's called a cosmetic surgery doesn't mean it isn't a major thing.
"It will affect you and your whole family massively. I was definitely very depressed after my surgery. I couldn't do anything for myself and I was in so much pain.
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"I was stuck indoors. The first time I went out was two weeks after my surgery and I did a 10-minute walk down the road that took me an hour.
"I had my surgery done by the best of the best - Mark Solomos, who is a Harley Street doctor. I know everyone's budget is different, but I definitely wouldn't recommend going to Turkey for surgery - especially knowing how I felt after.
"The surgery itself you don't have to worry about as it's someone else's job and you're asleep. However, the recovery is all on you. That's the bit you don't usually see online, but it's the hardest bit."
Erebi lost 75lbs after giving birth after becoming an avid gym-goer and weightlifter. However, she noticed that despite the effort she was putting in at the gym she wasn't seeing the results she hoped for - due to her loose skin.
She said: "I would encourage all mums to do it. You've given so much to your kids and if you're looking in the mirror and you're not happy, why not do this for yourself?
"At first everyone told me not to do it, but sometimes you just have to ignore what people are saying and do what makes you happy. I would say though that I didn't get surgery until I maintained my weight loss for two years.
"I also did love my body before - I was in a bikini with loose skin and everything. Thing is with surgery is that you will still have your insecurities after you have it.
"They'll take one thing away but then you'll wake up and want something else fixed. Don't get surgery if you're not already content with yourself, your surgeon is only a person not a magician. But overall, I would say so long as you have a great support network around you, then go for it."
