A mother-of-two is unrecognisable after undergoing an £8,000 ‘mummy makeover’ to achieve her dream body.
Kayleigh Baldwin-Wilkinson, 28, of Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, tipped the scales at 19st and hated her size 22 frame.
Despite years of dieting, Kayleigh had struggled to keep off the pounds so spent £3,200 on a gastric bypass to help reduce her appetite and calorie intake.
A year later, Kayleigh, who is mother to Hayley, seven, and Harley, four, went under the knife again to remove excess skin from her weight loss and paid £4,500 for a tummy tuck, breast lift and implants.
Unrecognisable: Kayleigh Baldwin-Wilkinson, 28, of Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, tipped the scales at 19st and hated her size 22 frame, left. She is now a size 10 (right) after a ‘mummy makeover’
Desperate to lose the pounds: Yo-yo dieter Kayleigh, pictured before her surgeries, had spent years trying to shift weight but enjoyed takeaways and fast food
New lease of life: Now 10st 6lb, pictured, Kayleigh is more active with her two children and says she doesn’t believe it’s her when she looks in the mirror
She now weighs 10st 6lb and ‘doesn’t recognise’ her size 10 figure in the mirror.
Explaining her years-long weight loss journey, she said: ‘I have always been chubby but began to struggle with my weight after giving birth to Morgan.
‘I was constantly yo-yo dieting, I would lose three stone and then gain it back plus more. Then it became even harder to lose weight after giving birth to Harley.
‘I was stuck in a rut and barely ever cooked. It was much easier to eat takeaways – I would spend around £170 per week on food.
‘I would buy £75 worth of junk from the supermarket, £30 on a Chinese takeaway, £20 on pizza, £25 on an Indian, £20 on KFC and £25 on McDonald’s.
‘A typical from a Chinese takeaway would be large rice, chow mien, chicken balls, salt and pepper chicken, sweet and sour chicken It’s disgusting when I think about it.’
Unhappy: Kayleigh used to spend £75 on junk food at the supermarket and knew she needed surgery to keep the pounds off for good. Pictured, before her weight loss surgery
Operation overseas: After careful research, Kayleigh chose a hospital in Turkey and jetted out in October 2020 for the gastric bypass procedure (pictured)
Nipped and tucked: Kayleigh was left with loose skin following her weight loss so returned to Turkey in October 2020 for a tummy tuck and breast lift. Pictured, before and after
Believing surgery was the ‘only way’ she could permanently keep the weight off, Kayleigh opted for a gastric bypass.
A gastric bypass is a surgical procedure where staples are used to create a small pouch at the top of the stomach. The pouch is then connected to the small intestine, bypassing the rest of the stomach.
This means it takes less food to feel full and fewer calories are absorbed from the food that is consumed.
After thorough research, Kayleigh decided to have the procedure at Irme International Hospital, in Turkey, in October 2020. She estimated it was £10,000 cheaper than having the procedure in the UK.
Helping to lose the weight: Kayleigh, pictured before and after, knew a gastric bypass would force her to eat less, and help her absorb fewer calories from the food she did consume
Over-indulging: Kayleigh, pictured as a size 22, struggles to believe how much she used to eat
Getting active: Kayleigh, pictured before and after the weight loss, says she now feels she can do more with children Morgan and Harley, like going to the park or the swimming pool
Over the next 12 months, Kayleigh saw the weight drop off but was left with drooping, sagging skin.
She said: ‘After losing over eight stone in a year, I wasn’t happy with the loose skin and I needed a little nip and tuck. I didn’t just have the surgery for me, but for my kids too.’
The mother-of-two returned to the same hospital in October 2021 and had a tummy tuck, breast lift and breast implants.
Second hospital visit: Kayleigh pictured in hospital after her tummy tuck, breast lift and breast implants in October 2021
Recovery: Kayleigh returned to the same hospitals for the procedures after being so pleased with the first. Pictured, the mother-of-two in hospital earlier this year
‘I am now able to do more with the kids such as take them swimming or run around in the park,’ Kayleigh continued.
‘Morgan has commented on how much happier and involved I am which was incredible to hear.
‘I saved for the surgery and it has definitely paid off already. I feel amazing. It’s bizarre because it has all happened in a year. I still can’t believe my reflection is me.
‘My BMI is healthy now whereas before it was morbidly obese. I don’t get out of breath anymore when walking up the stairs and my joints no longer ache.’
Happy and healthy: Kayleigh’s BMI was ‘obese’ but it is now ‘normal’ and she feels better than ever. Pictured, Kayleigh feeling confident in her physique after her weight loss and surgeries