Woman gifted $31,000 ‘mommy makeover’

By Athena Stavrou via SWNS

A woman who had $31,000 of surgery after childbirth warns others that going under the knife "won't cure all insecurities," and says we should learn to love our bodies regardless.

Erebi Bowring, 27, decided to get a 'Mommy Makeover' surgery package, a tummy tuck, liposuction, and a breast lift and implants, in February 2023.

Although she was content with her body before the surgery, she thought it would make her feel "even better."

After giving birth to her two sons, in June 2016 and September 2020, she lost 75 pounds from working out but decided to go under the knife when she saw her progress at the gym plateau.

The "last step" was to remove her loose skin, so she had surgery at Highgate Private Hospital in London, UK.

She received the surgery as a "push present" from her husband.

Despite family and friends discouraging her at first, Erebi is glad she got the surgery and encourages other moms to do it if they are well prepared for the pain, recovery and financial cost.

"You've given so much to your kids and if you're looking in the mirror and you're not happy, why not do this for yourself?

"At first everyone told me not to do it, but sometimes you just have to ignore what people are saying and do what makes you happy."

She also shared warnings about the harsh reality of the major surgery - including not being able to move for days and even falling into a depression.

Erebi, a stay-at-home mom, from East London, UK, said: "It's not an easy thing to do.

"The pain was the worst thing.

"It was weird knowing a couple of hours before I could move freely but then all of a sudden, I couldn't move.

"It was a shock to the system.

"The most important thing women need to know is that it is a major surgery.

"Just because it's called cosmetic surgery doesn't mean it isn't a major thing."

"It will affect you and your whole family massively.

"I was definitely very depressed after my surgery.

"I couldn't do anything for myself and I was in so much pain.

"I was stuck indoors."

"The first time I went out was two weeks after my surgery and I did a 10-minute walk down the road that took me an hour.

"The surgery itself you don't have to worry about as it's someone else's job and you're asleep.

"However, the recovery is all on you.

"That's the bit you don't usually see online, but it's the hardest bit."

She added: "I didn't get surgery until I had maintained my weight loss for two years.

"I also did love my body before - I was in a bikini with loose skin and everything.

"You will still have your insecurities after you have it [surgery].

"They'll take one thing away but then you'll wake up and want something else fixed.

"So don't get surgery if you're not already content with yourself, your surgeon is only a person, not a magician.

"But overall, I would say so long as you have a great support network around you, then go for it."