The Real Housewives of Cheshire star Rachel Lugo has 'laid bare' how she looked before having a tummy tuck.
Rachel was left with excess saggy skin and was 'covered in stretch marks' after having five children that she couldn't shift by working out.
The property landlord wanted to regain her confidence so she decided to have surgery two years ago to remove the excess skin.
And a year ago she hit the gym to lose weight and tone up.
Rachel, 45, has now posted dramatic before and after photos to share her transformation on Instagram.
"So I was asked on my story this morning to show a before and after picture of my body transformation," she wrote.
"Five pregnancies...five beautiful children ... and I wouldn’t change them for the world.
"My skin didn’t stretch well though which left me with excess saggy skin and I was covered in stretch marks.
"No matter how much exercise I did I just couldn’t get rid of it.
"I used to tuck the overhang into my Spanx which I wore everyday.
"I love what our bodies are capable of doing and having children is an absolute blessing but I also wanted to regain my confidence with my body."
Explaining about her operation she said: "I had very bad diastasis recti (the gap down the centre of your tummy where your muscles have separated) which I think was the reason for my constant lower back ache so two years ago I had a full tummy tuck with no lipo.
"The excess skin was removed and my abdominal muscles were sewn back together then a year ago I decided to tone up and lose weight.
"I started working out and eating healthily and I lost 16lbs."
On the ITVBe reality show Rachel recently showcased her newfound confidence by posing for a Lady Godiva-style photoshoot with her horse Fil wearing just a lacy nude thong, and she recently revealed that she's met a new man who's making her smile.
She added: "Yes I’ve had surgery, I’ve never denied that and I understand that it’s not an option for a lot of people but I’ve also worked my a** off in the gym and I couldn’t be happier.
"Don’t bother commenting if you are a troll, I’ve never shown this picture to anybody before, this is just me opening up and laying myself bare."
The praise came flooding in for reality TV star, including from her friend and castmate Dawn Ward's daughters.
Taylor said: "You look amazing Rachel."
And Darby said: "Amazing Rachel."
Co-star Tanya Bardsley commented: "Beautiful girl."
"Pretty friend love you," said fellow Housewives star Lauren Simon.
And vlogger Antonella Brollini said: "Go on flower you look amazing beautiful inside and out."
