A woman has undergone a full body makeover after her incredible 21-stone weight loss journey left her with a huge amount of excess skin

Michelle Kathleen Vega, 35, from Pittsburgh, US, was “miserable” at her heaviest weight of 31st 7lbs in 2014, and after struggling to walk for more than 15 minutes at a time, she decided to get gastric bypass surgery.

But after dropping the weight, she hated the large amount of excess skin left over – which she says was “physically uncomfortable” and limited her ability to exercise or find clothes that fit properly.

Eventually, Michelle decided to undergo a full-body reconstruction in June 2021, having one stone of loose skin removed, as well as a tummy tuck, arm lift, breast lift and breast augmentation.

Sharing her journey on TikTok, she has since gone viral with one video garnering 160,000 views and 7,000 likes.

"Since losing the weight and reconstructing my body, my confidence and self-esteem have improved drastically, but not necessarily for the reasons that you might think," Michelle told NeedToKnow.Online.

"While it is wonderful to be physically able and active after the weight loss, and exciting to reconstruct my body, the biggest change in my personality would be my belief in my ability to do absolutely anything.

"The confidence is much more based on the strength that I’ve drawn through this process than how I look.

"For the most part people find it hard to believe that it is the same person unless they knew me before the weight loss.

"Almost everyone comments on the difference, but it would be pretty hard not to mention a 300-pound weight loss."

Michelle found the excess skin to be a reminder of darker times, back when the weight got in the way of her living a normal life.

Speaking of that time, she said: "I was very depressed [before I lost the weight], and due to the physical limitations my weight caused me, I was just flat out unable to live my life at all.

"It was miserable.

"I attended a graduation of a friend of mine, while at my heaviest weight, and I was unable to make it from the car to the auditorium in time for the graduation, because of how far it was, and how limited my ability to walk was.

"When I finally made it into the building, it was pretty much over, and it broke my heart that I couldn’t even complete a simple task like walking.

"It was then I knew things needed to change.

"I realised that if I didn’t do something now, I was going to miss the rest of my life.”

Michelle proceeded to lose an astonishing 300lbs in weight, before undergoing the next step of surgeries.

She added: "I am still in the process of removing my loose skin, but things are much improved for me mentally and emotionally as we are well into the process at this point.

"Every day it’s a bit different. Some days I feel a little self-conscious about the remaining skin, but most days I’m quite happy with how far I I’ve come.

"I can definitely see the light at the end of the tunnel."

Michelle has been sharing her fitness journey online and has now gained 1.5 million followers on TikTok.

In one video, she shows a photo of herself before her transformation, with the caption "YOU WILL NEVER LOSE THE WEIGHT".

This is then followed by a montage of sexy clips, showing off her new and confident look.

Viewers have been left amazed by Michelle's transformation, insisting she looks like a "different woman".

One person said: "GIRL you literally give me so much ambition and confidence so thank you. You’re effing amazing." [sic]

"You look like a whole new WOMEN!!!!!! I love you!!!!" added another.

Someone else wrote: "People just don’t understand how big of an achievement this is!!!"

"I'm proud of you beautiful! You're an inspiration," wrote another user.

Another viewer said: "Holy..... wow you are absolutely stunning and give me hope, hard work."

Although Michelle is extremely happy with her new look, she knows other people may think differently about her choices with surgery.

She added: "Not everyone will feel the way I do about my loose skin and that’s completely okay.

"Some people choose not to have any surgery and are perfectly comfortable living with their extra skin.

"However, to those who do wish to remove it, I say absolutely go for it.

"It’s a long and tough journey, both mentally and physically, but it has been more than worth the results.

"No matter what point of the journey you are in, whether you haven’t even started yet, you are beautiful and worthy and valid at every stage in the journey.

"Be proud of yourself, show yourself off, no matter what – you are beautiful."

Michelle also has future plans to get her thighs lifted and her lower face and neck tightened.

ENDS

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