Oh baby, look at us now!
Having a child can change your body. We met a mum who went under the knife to reclaim her figure.
'I was left with a pouch of skin'
Sian Lee had a tummy tuck after having her children. Sian who's studying sports physiotherapy, lives in Penarth, South Wales with her husband James.
'I had Caesarean sections with both of my children, and afterwards I was appalled at how awful my stomach looked.
'I've always been a fairly slim size 8-10, and although I ballooned to 14st with my son, I was back to my usual weight of just under 9st weeks after giving birth. It was the same with my daughter, but this time I was left with a pouch of skin that I literally had to tuck into my jeans.
'As the lower stomach muscle had been cut during my caesareans, the flab wasn't going to shift, no matter how many sit-ups I did. I called it my baby bag.
'I've always exercised a lot, but I just couldn't tighten my lower stomach muscles. It was really getting me down, so I decided to have a tummy tuck. James was very supportive - he knew how much it was affecting my confidence.
'I went to have four pounds of fat cut from my stomach at Linia in London's Harley Street. The surgeon Mr Aslam, sliced along my caesarean scar, cut out the fat, did a little liposuction on my waistline, and sewed me back up.
'The operation cost £7,000, and I was in hospital for two nights. The surgery was no more painful than a caesarean but I wasn't left with any more scarring. The only drawback was having to wear an uncomfortable body stocking for six weeks to aid the healing process.
'I noticed the difference within a few days. Now my tummy's as flat as an ironing board, and I can wear size 8 jeans. It's made a huge difference to how I feel about myself - I'd recommend it to any mum.'
My son is worried that I'll look stretched, but Simon, my partner is fine about it all. He benefits because I'm more confident and happy. I do get nervous before surgery, thinking what would happen if it went wrong - it's the results that give you such a good feeling. I wouldn't say that cosmetic surgery is addictive, but once the thing that bothers you is fixed, you start wondering if you can improve other areas of your body, too. A lot of people think I'm vain but, that's their opinion. Why spend a fortune on face creams that do nothing? I'd rather use Botox. We only live once and I want to be as happy as I can be.
