Lisa Riley has opened up about her life after undergoing excess skin removal surgery, saying that the transformation of her body 'takes her breath away'.
After losing an incredible 11 stone, Lisa underwent surgery to remove a further stone of excess skin from her legs, stomach, and back, and is still planning to have further operations to tighten skin on her breasts and arms.
Speaking to the Mirror, she confesses that she was 'terrified' before going under the knife, but has no regrets about her decision to have the procedure.
'I had fear like I have never, ever known,' she admitted. 'I just thought to myself I wasn't going to wake up.'
After her surgery, Lisa had daily visits from a nurse to check how her wounds were healing, and had to wear a compression corset for the first month. She also suffered an infection in her legs, after ignoring her doctor's advice to rest and moving house three weeks post-surgery.
However, now a svelte size 12, she says that it's all been worthwhile to achieve the figure of her dreams.
'The surgery is the best decision I've ever made in my life,' she confirms. 'I have scars but they don't matter, they will fade.'
'The difference between the top half of my body and the bottom half is staggering. I will be the finished article after this [second operation].'
'People keep telling me I've gone too far, that the weight loss has aged me. But they're comp aring photos of me aged 30 and 40.'
Lisa adds that she does feel some pressure to maintain her slimline look: 'When som eone calls you sli mmer of the year it's like being Miss World; you don't want your crown taken away. People keep telling me to stop now, but stop what? I've changed my lifestyle for the better.'
'I can't even begin to tell you how I felt the first time I looked in the mirror naked post-surgery.'
'It was three weeks after the operation and I just couldn't believe it was me. It was complete disbelief. I had a flat stomach for the first time ever.'
'Sometimes I still see obese Lisa. I think it will still be the case for a long time. Sometimes it takes my breath away when I see the new me.'
