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MEGA MAKEOVER
I was born in Wales but made in Turkey after my glow up & £2.4k sleeve…people’s jaws drop when they see what I look like
Scroll down for the risks of getting surgery abroad
A MOTHER has revealed that she was born in Wales but made in Turkey after she jetted there three times for a full body glow-up.
Rebecca Jones, 31, explained that she travelled to Turkey by herself for a gastric sleeve, mummy makeover (MMO), and a full set of pearly white Turkey teeth.
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The young woman, who has an 11-year-old son, explained that she had always struggled with her weight and was even bullied because of it for many years.
And after ballooning to 19 stone 13lbs despite trying numerous diets and exercises, Rebecca took the plunge and jetted abroad for a total transformation.
Now, Rebecca has exclusively told Fabulous about her mega makeover, which cost her thousands of pounds, including a whopping £2,400 on a tummy sleeve alone.
Rebecca told Fabulous: “I struggled with my weight from my teenage years - I was always bigger than all my friends.
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“I can’t remember how much I weighed but I got called mean names because of my weight over the years.
“I’d tried loads of diets, PT sessions, gym memberships and I just couldn’t succeed.
“I’d overeat or not at all. I’d binge eat through any emotions and became reliant on food as my comfort.
“I’ve suffered with depression and anxiety over the years and in 2021 I’d researched more about the gastric sleeve.
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"I didn’t want a gastric band knowing it was something that could potentially stretch. I needed something permanent.
“I sent away for a new passport in 2021 as I wanted to fly to Turkey for my gastric sleeve but because there were so many restrictions due to COVID.
I went to Turkey to get the perfect Snapchat filter face but my op was more like a horror film - my eye no longer shuts
"I didn’t end up going and thought I’d ‘try again’, this was around July 2021.”
By December 2021, Rebecca weighed 17 stone.
She claimed that her “mental health had spiralled quite dramatically” and she knew she had put weight on but hadn’t weighed herself.
Then, just months later, in March 2022, she was seconds away from ordering herself a Chinese takeaway.
I’d tried loads of diets, PT sessions, gym memberships and I just couldn’t succeed
Rebecca Jones
But prior to calling in dinner, Rebecca weighed herself and was left "mortified".
She explained: “To my absolute devastation I was weighing 19 stone 13lbs.
“For the first time ever I hadn’t reached for food. I ditched the Chinese and within a few days I’d booked to have my gastric sleeve in Turkey.
Different types of weight loss surgery
For many people who are overweight or obese, they may feel they have exhausted options for weight loss and want to try something more drastic.
Weight loss surgery may be available to them on the NHS if they have a BMI over 40 and have a condition that may be improved with weight loss, such as diabetes.
But the availability of these procedures largely depends on where you live in the UK. People can also pay privately.
Weight loss surgery is a common and safe procedure. However, as with any operation, there are risks, such as a blood clot, a band slipping out of place, a stomach infection, gallstones and excessive skin from weight loss that in most cases, won’t be removed on the NHS.
In all of the following options, the space in the stomach is reduced, therefore a person feels fuller after eating less food. They lose weight as a result.
However, it is necessary for them to also learn good eating habits and have a healthy balanced diet, too.
Gastric bypass
The stomach is divided into two using a staple. The smaller part is connected to the intestines, effectively cutting how much space there is in the stomach by half.
The operation takes around two hours.
Gastric band
A band is tied around the top of the stomach and inflated so that it tightens.
The operation takes three to four hours.
Gastric balloon
Patients swallow an empty balloon which is attached to a tube.
The balloon is filled with water via the tube, taking around 20 minutes, so that it fills around two-thirds of the stomach space.
Sleeve gastrectomy
Around 80 per cent of the stomach is removed in surgery to make it much smaller and a sleeve shape.
The operation takes between one and three hours.
“I knew I couldn’t go on like this anymore.
"My weight stopped me doing so many things and even making memories with my son. I didn’t want to go anywhere or do anything.
“My son is now 11 and he’s so happy for me. He compliments me and it’s so sweet.”
£2.4k gastric sleeve
In April 2022, Rebecca headed to Turkey, alone, for her gastric sleeve.
She acknowledged: “I wasn’t scared at all, I knew it was the start of a new life for me and I was so excited and ready for it.
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“I was a bit lethargic after it but I think it’s to do with general anaesthetic more than anything.
“My family worried back home as they hadn’t heard from me for hours after my surgery and it’s only 40 minutes long.
“I was just exhausted after coming round and the worst pain there was the trapped wind feeling in my left shoulder every time I’d take a breath.
“I spent four nights in total in the hospital and then one night in a hotel and I flew home the next day.”
What are the risks of getting surgery abroad?
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
When it came to the cost of her gastric sleeve, Rebecca shared: “My mother initially was asking me to stay in the UK to have a gastric sleeve but the price difference was phenomenal.
“I was quoted between £10,000 - £12,000 for a gastric sleeve in the UK. It’s just something I couldn’t afford or even justify paying even if they offered payment plans!
“The price for my gastric sleeve [in Turkey] was £2,400 - that included everything, transfers, pre ops, the actual op, the four night stay in hospital and also the one night in the hotel.
“By having the gastric sleeve I’ve saved so much money on food over the last three years and don’t eat anywhere near what I used to.”
The ultimate mummy makeover
After having the gastric sleeve, Rebecca then lost 8 stone 13lbs before she went back to Turkey for more plastic surgery in June 2023.
Then, at 11 stone, Rebecca underwent a six and a half hour mummy makeover surgery and had an FDL tummy tuck, breast uplift and implants, 360 liposuction, as well as upper arm and inner thigh liposuction.
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She expressed: “Again there was a massive price difference.
"I had a phone call from a company from London - £19,800 just for breast surgery and tummy tuck, not including any liposuction.
“Surgery in Turkey was almost 1/4 of the price of the UK!
I literally felt like a new woman the next day
Rebecca Jones
“I flew to Turkey on my own and underwent the surgery.
"I was dreading it as I had friends that had previously had tummy tucks and they suffered pain for weeks after it and struggled to even sit on the toilet without assistance.
“I had my surgery on a Tuesday and I felt really weak and lethargic on and off for the next few days.
"I stayed in hospital an extra night as my blood pressure was low.”
After having her antibiotics changed, Rebecca stressed: “I literally felt like a new woman the next day and got discharged and had a follow up appointment with my surgeon before coming home.”
Regular Botox appointments
Not only did she jet to surgery for the mummy makeover, but she also goes there to get Botox too.
She added: “Everything was great, I’ve healed really well and I actually still see my surgeon regularly as I go to him for my Botox.
How much does Botox cost?
BOTOX and anti-wrinkle injections are one of the most popular cosmetic treatments available today.
Botox injections work by weakening or paralyzing certain muscles or by blocking certain nerves.
The effects last about three to twelve months, depending on what you are treating.
The NHS website estimates each botulinum toxin injection costs £150-£350 per session.
The price varies depending on how much is used per session, they add.
Botox prices fluctuate depending on where you go to get it done and the number of areas treated.
Some companies offer one area for around the £200 mark, and most offer packages if you want to add more areas to your treatment.
It is worth doing your research before you undergo the treatment – and remember that going ‘cheap’ isn’t always a good idea.
“It was never lasting in the UK and I couldn’t keep justifying paying for it back here.
"I started having it done with him and it lasts so much longer, so I tend to return to Turkey quite often and have a catch up and a check up with my surgeon.
“I recently went to see him when I went back to Turkey last week as I am wanting further surgery with him too.
“I really want my thighs done next as I have a lot of excess skin from weight loss and I’ve always had bigger legs.”
A dental transformation
And when it came to Rebecca’s teeth transformation, she initially had composite bonding, but has since had 20 crowns fitted.
She explained: “I’ve had 20 crowns - I didn’t pay the full price as I’d already had composite bonding with them last year but I had issues with them chipping because of my bite and grinding in my sleep.
“They agreed to change them to crowns for a fraction of the price others would pay, I know their summer price list was £160 a tooth.”
'Look like a different person'
Rebecca has been candid with her surgery transformation online, and in a recent TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @rebeccasherellejo, she shared snaps before, during and after her surgery journey.
The short video has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 87,500 views in just 24 hours.
Social media users were gobsmacked by the mother’s impressive overhaul and many eagerly flocked to the comments to express this.
Best transformation in a person I've ever seen
TikTok user
One person said: “Wow!! You look like a different person. You look really good.”
Another added: “I don’t usually like these posts but you really are looking outstanding!!”
A third commented: “MY JAWS BEEN ON THE FLOOR FOR 10 MINS! Beautiful before AND after.”
Read more on the Scottish Sun
Meanwhile, someone else penned: “You were beautiful before but holy smokes girl, best transformation in a person I've ever seen.”
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