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'I've finally become a swan'

Woman, 20, who underwent extreme facial surgery which left her on a soft food diet is now planning to be a beauty queen

Ellie Jones has been totally transformed by the treatment

A WOMAN who had facial surgery so extreme she needed to be on a soft food diet for six months is now hoping to become a beauty queen.

Ellie Jones has a rare condition which meant her jawbones didn’t grow properly so her teeth didn’t line up.

 Ellie Jones seen before and after she had surgery on her jaw
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Ellie Jones seen before and after she had surgery on her jawCredit: Wales News Service

When she was 14 her dentist realised her jaw hadn't grown since she was EIGHT, and she then had six years of work.

Her first surgery was at 16 and earlier this year, at the age of 20, Ellie, from Rhyl, Wales, revealed how successful the operations have been.

"I was so shy because of it. I feel like a different person now," she said.

 When she was 16, it was discovered that her jaw stopped growing when she was eight
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When she was 16, it was discovered that her jaw stopped growing when she was eightCredit: Wales News Service
 Ellie had her first operation at 16, and she was left needing to eat out of a syringe
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Ellie had her first operation at 16, and she was left needing to eat out of a syringeCredit: Wales News Service

"I have so much more confidence, I feel like the ugly duckling that's finally become the swan."

After her first operation Ellie couldn't talk and ate only liquids for a month.

She couldn't talk either, but after six months the swelling went down, the lisp she'd had went and she felt much better.

Now Ellie is hoping to become Miss Wales after learning about the contest on Facebook.

"I wouldn't have considered doing this a couple of years ago," she added.

"I was shy before but once I'd been through so much to get where I am now I thought: 'Why Not, let's go for it.'"

 Although it was painful, she couldn't be happier with the results
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Although it was painful, she couldn't be happier with the resultsCredit: Wales News Service

Ellie's surgeon was Emma Woolley, who explained a lot of people don't realise they have jaw deformity until they are older.

"By not treating it at a young age, it can cause real difficulties later in life," she added.

"I'm really glad the treatment has made a difference and given Ellie her confidence back."

We previously reported on a US woman who woke up with a British accent after a routine operation on her jaw.

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