After Erebi Bowring became a mother, she started to feel insecure about the way she looked.
She developed disordered eating habits and drastically lost five stone, going from a size 16 to a 10.
Once her weight loss plateaued and she saw progress in the gym, she learnt to love her new body but her loose skin left her uncomfortable.
She wanted to go under the knife, which saw her husband pay for her cosmetic surgery as a "push present" to boost her confidence.
In February, the 27-year-old underwent a £25k surgery package - which included a tummy tuck, liposuction, a breast lift and implants.
The mum-of-two was aware that the 'mummy makeover' wouldn't 'cure' all of her insecurities, but what she wasn't prepared for was the recovery after the major operation.
She wasn't able to move for days and even fell into a 'deep depression'.
"It's not an easy thing to do," Erebi, from East London, said. "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 stay-at-home mum added: "The most important thing women need to know is that it is a major surgery.
"Just because it's called 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. 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."
Eerbi made the tough decision following the birth of her two sons - in June 2016 and September 2020.
She had lost 75lbs after then 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 toned results she hoped for - due to her excess skin.
Her family warned her about how serious the procedure would be at first, but she is glad she went ahead with it at Highgate Private Hospital - and encourages other mums to do the same "if it makes them happy."
"I had my surgery done by the best of the best - Mark Solomos, who is a Harley Street doctor," Erebi said.
"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 online, but it's the hardest bit."
While she recommends researching surgeons before going under the knife, she also warns other mums to love their bodies before and after getting the op.
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."
Do you have a cosmetic surgery story to share? Please get in touch at saffron.otter@reachplc.com
