A WOMAN who forked out £6,000 for a ‘Mummy makeover’ that was supposed to be "the icing on the cake" says her dreams have been shattered.
Leah Mattson, 26, claims she's been left with wonky hips, skin flaps, and an off-centre belly button post-surgery.
The devastated mum-of-one says the results have left her too upset to show off the new look she had dreamed of.
Leah - who flew to Turkey for the op - says: “The Mummy makeover was supposed to be the icing on the cake but instead it’s ruined my dreams.
"I want to make other people aware of the dangers of surgery.
"I did my research, and I thought I’d made a good choice. But I will regret it for the rest of my life.”
Leah, from Hereford, Worcs, dropped from 25 stones to 13 stones after having gastric sleeve surgery in May 2023.
The procedure, which she had done in Izmir, Turkey, went smoothly, and so she began saving to have her excess skin removed at the same clinic.
In July this year, she had a tummy tuck, breast lift and arm lift, at a cost of £6,300.
Leah, who is mum to Esmae, three, says: “After the op, I felt very poorly, which was to be expected.
"I was also very swollen which again seemed normal.
"My hips were at completely different levels but the doctors said they would settle down.”
She flew home five days later but developed a build up of fluid, known as a seroma.
She says: “The clinic seemed very good, they flew me back and the doctor drained it under local anaesthetic in his office.
"I was even offered a PR job, trying to promote their services back in the UK.”
But eight weeks on, Leah realised that, though the swelling had gone, she was left with an imbalance in her hips and belly button.
I hate the way my body looks – it was better before. I feel like I’ve been butchered
Leah Mattson
She also had flaps of skin at the side of her breasts and a large amount of excess skin remaining.
She says: “My stomach is asymmetric. My belly button is way out of place.
"My arms still have so much excess skin and I have little parcels of skin at the side of my breasts.
"I looked much better before my surgery. I am so upset.
“I contacted the clinic who said they would do more surgery with the same doctor but I was too scared to let them near me again.
"They refused to give me any money back.
“I’ve had to return to work as an auxiliary nurse, in a hospital, which really makes me anxious.
"I wear short sleeves and I am so conscious that my arms look a mess.
IT'S important to do your research if you're thinking about having cosmetic surgery abroad.
It can cost less than in the UK, but you need to weigh up potential savings against the potential risks.
Safety standards in different countries may not be as high.
No surgery is risk-free. Complications can happen after surgery in the UK or abroad.
If you have complications after an operation in the UK, the surgeon is responsible for providing follow-up treatment.
Overseas clinics may not provide follow-up treatment, or they may not provide it to the same standard as in the UK.
Also, they may not have a healthcare professional in the UK you can visit if you have any problems.
Source: NHS
“I hate the way my body looks – it was better before.
“I’ve been through so much, losing all my weight, and this final op was supposed to be the icing on the cake, the final part of the new me. Instead, I feel like I’ve been butchered.
“I want to warn other people about the dangers of surgery overseas. If my story can help one person, and change their mind, then it’s worth it.”
