Looking at my new body in the full-length mirror, my heart sank. I had always assumed I’d be overjoyed when I finally lost the weight that had been burdening me for years – but I looked nothing like I’d imagined.I’d shed 7st in 14 months on Mounjaro, from 17st 11lb and a size 24 to 10st 11lb. I was a trim size 12, but the problem was I also had so much sagging skin I looked like an 80-year-old, with wrinkled ‘bingo wings’ and an apron tummy drooping down to my thighs. I’d anticipated being able to show off my new body on the beach, but I found myself covering up more than ever, ashamed of the way I looked.But there was an unexpected side-effect of the jabs, that would allow me to fix my baggy tummy and arms. Because although I was paying £150 a month for a private prescription, I was actually saving a fortune.Before taking the drug, I was spending up to £1,000 a month to cheer myself up – I was down about my body, and I enjoyed treating myself to clothes, shoes, bags, skincare, make-up, anything that took my fancy.It was the quick hit of dopamine that I craved more than the items themselves. I’d reward any small wins at my work as an estates manager with meals out at our local steakhouse, or I’d splash out on luxury long-haul holidays to the Dominican Republic or Mexico.To my amazement, once I began ‘jabbing’, I found this urge to spend was instantly dulled.I no longer had any desire to shop, in the same way that my desire to comfort-eat had vanished too. I now know the drug targets dopamine receptors and cuts cravings, and for the first time I could remember I no longer desired that feelgood ‘hit’ of food or shopping. Before taking the drug, I was spending up to £1,000 a month to cheer myself up – I was down about my body, and I enjoyed treating myself to clothes, shoes, bags, skincare, make-up, anything that took my fancy I had always assumed I’d be overjoyed when I finally lost the weight that had been burdening me for years When I finally lost the weight, I looked nothing like I'd imagined. I felt so disappointed. I kept hoping my belly would gradually shrink, but it only got baggierI was also happy to be losing weight. In the past, I had tried every kind of diet but always struggled to find the will to keep going. In desperation, I even opted for gastric balloon surgery in 2009, which cost £5,000 of my savings. I lost four stone before the operation, a stone after it, and gained it all back after the balloon was removed six months later. It was a complete waste of money.In 2021, I managed to lose five stone by drastically cutting portions but, again, I plateaued and gave up. By 2025, I was looking into gastric sleeve surgery. I couldn’t see another way to lose the weight that didn't risk damaging my health and confidence long-term.One evening, I was scrolling on Facebook and spotted a post written by an acquaintance announcing that she was starting to use ‘skinny jabs’. I was immediately interested. I did two days of solid research, and only read positive reviews, so I ordered a starting dose of Mounjaro, hopeful for the first time in years that something might help me.The weight came off quickly initially. I lost 10lb in the first week, but found I was feeling light-headed so I swiftly realised I needed to eat more. I ate small portions of meat, salad and vegetables, and I no longer wanted the takeaways or fatty snacks I’d always loved. Overall, I lost around 2lb a week, so it was a safe, consistent loss. I had no side-effects, not even a mild headache.I was feeling so much better, but I still had a big stomach that looked awful. I felt so disappointed. I kept hoping it would gradually shrink, but it only got baggier. I had too much loose skin for exercise to make any difference.I found that instead of embracing my new body, I was covering up in baggy clothes. I still hated my shape, the way my skin drooped, and I still couldn’t bear to look at myself.In a bid to tackle the problem, I began to look into skin removal surgery. The NHS won’t do it for cosmetic reasons, and even private practices that promised ‘reasonable’ prices were quoting £20,000.In the autumn of 2025, I made the decision to have skin removal surgery abroad. Though I know many people go to Turkey, after researching online for weeks, I’d read far too many horror stories of underqualified staff and botched operations.Eventually, I found a very well-reviewed clinic in Lithuania that offered the procedure for around £10,000, and as I knew curbing my reckless spending had allowed me to save money, I felt I could dip into my savings.After flying out for a consultation in November, I paid a £800 deposit and arrived for the procedure in February 2026, staying in the clinic’s accommodation. Though I went alone, I didn’t feel nervous because I’d already met the surgeon, the staff were friendly with perfect English, and the clinic was immaculate.I was eager to wake up with a different body after my tummy tuck, uplift and fat transfer. The operation took six hours, but when I came round, I felt so positive. I had pain in my stomach area due to muscle repair, but I was able to go home after ten days and took just three weeks off work. I decided to have skin removal surgery abroad and found a very well-reviewed clinic in Lithuania that offered the procedure for around £10,000 I no longer avoid my reflection, in fact, I like it! Now I can’t wait to wear my new bikinis with pride I’ve reached my target weight of 11st 10lbs and am a size 12 – and I’m continuing to take my 5mg of Mounjaro at £320 a month as I’m so keen to maintain my figure The operation took six hours, but when I came round, I felt so positive. I'm still recovering but I'm very happy with the results so farI’m still recovering fully, as it’s a major operation, but I’m very happy with the results so far. Now, at 34, I’ve reached my target weight of 11st 10lb and am a size 12 – and I’m continuing to take my 5mg of Mounjaro at £320 a month as I’m so keen to maintain my figure.I intend to stay on the jabs for life – they’ve become a part of who I am. I no longer avoid my reflection, in fact, I like it! In the past, I’d always cover up on holiday in a towel or sarong, horribly conscious of my saggy bum. Now I can’t wait to wear my new bikinis with pride. And I’m also relieved that I’ll no longer be spending a fortune to cheer myself up!As told to Flic Everett