A mum-of-three who was tired of hiding her postpartum body decided enough was enough and spent £15,000 on a "mummy makeover."
Karla Chacksfield, 32, is now more confident than ever in her body and flaunts her slender figure on Instagram after going under the knife in November 2020.
Karla, from East Sussex, had had three kids by the time she was 21 after first falling pregnant at the age of 15.
She then had two more kids when she was 19 and 20.
Although she was a size 8 when she first became pregnant, she was wearing size 14-16 clothes by the time she was 21.
She said: “I was a young mum so my body went through a lot of changes while I was still growing myself.
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“I was left with split core muscles, a tummy overhang and empty saggy boobs from the weight fluctuations and breastfeeding. No amount of dieting would have got rid of that.
“For years, I’ve hid myself in baggy clothes, not taken part in swimming lessons or swimming on holiday with my kids and I would just sit and spectate, feeling such sadness watching on.”
Karla, who works in marketing, lost around two stone back in 2017 before her wedding to husband Adam, 36.
But the weight crept back and by 2020, she was a size 12 and weighed 12st 2lbs.
She was unhappy with her weight and said she had a "mum tum" which she hated. To hide her figure, Karla wore baggy clothes and oversized T shirts.
The mum said: “Family holidays and summertime was my least favourite time of the year. I would always cover up because of how I felt I looked.
“I would rather be sweating in leggings or jeans and T-shirts than feel self-conscious with summer clothes on.
“I also barely have any photos of myself from the chest down over the years as I hated how I looked.
“I've always wanted to have a mummy makeover once I was finished having my family and once I was fully able to afford it.”
So when lockdown hit Karla decided to book herself in for surgery, using £15,000 from her savings.
She had a full tummy tuck, muscle repair, liposuction to love handles, a breast uplift and augmentation in Tunbridge Wells, Kent.
After the operation, Karla woke up to the feeling someone had "sat on her" and was in pain for five days afterwards.
However, when she first saw her reflection, she didn't recognise herself.
"I needed to do this for me, to feel more confident, I covered myself up way more than I should at my age," she explained.
“This included a lot of work, a full tummy tuck to remove loose skin, muscle repair as when you carry children your muscles separate to allow the uterus to grow and then a breast uplift.
“I even had a hernia repaired which was found during the op itself and some lipo to the love handles.”
Karla decided to document and share her journey on social media, where she shows off her size 10 silhouette in figure hugging dresses.
Since having the operations, Karla says she's happier and more confident in herself.
Karla said: “I know some may not agree with this and I’ve had people ask why I’ve spent that money on myself.
“One, no exercise would have sorted the loose overhang I had and the separation I had in my muscles. Two, I needed to do this for me.
“I've never in my life felt this new wave of confidence in myself. I catch myself smiling more, I love what I see in the mirror for once and I don't need to hide my body!
“I can't stop buying underwear or tighter clothes and I feel happier at home as crazy as that seems. I've not felt this happy in my own skin, for as long as I can remember.”
As summer approaches, Karla now can't wait to don her bikini on holiday and hang out in the pool with Adam and their three sons - now 16, 12 and 11.
Now weighing 11st 11lbs, Karla is more mindful of the food she eats and exercises regularly - and since having her stomach muscles repaired, her core strength has improved.
Karla added: “I’ve been so open with my journey on social media and privately. Doing so has helped so many people, I truly believe it's such a taboo having these kinds of procedures.
“But if you really want cosmetic surgery, go for it. Just make sure it’s what you truly want and it’s being done for you and no one else.
“Not for looking good for others, not because a celebrity has a body you want. Do it for you and only you. Friends have noticed how much more confident I am too."
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Whereas she felt she'd missed out on so much for years, Karla now says she has a "whole new outlook" and is able to love herself.
She said: “My sons are happy that I’m happy, they can tell I’m happier in myself and my husband has been my biggest supporter, he loves that I’m more confident and ’m happier in my own skin.”
