A British mother who lost an astonishing 16½ stone through diet and exercise says she has been told by NHS providers that she may need to gain weight before qualifying for excess skin removal surgery, prompting frustration and confusion.

After shedding a huge amount of weight, many people find themselves left with significant loose skin — a common issue after dramatic weight loss that can cause discomfort, hygiene challenges, and emotional distress.

In the UK, procedures to remove excess skin such as abdominoplasty or body contouring are generally considered cosmetic operations, not standard NHS treatments, unless the loose skin is causing severe functional problems that significantly restrict daily life.

Patients often need to meet strict criteria, including achieving a certain stable weight and sometimes maintaining it for a long period, before their cases are considered for funding. In some cases, doctors may even advise adjusting weight — either losing more or gaining — to fit within policy thresholds.

This has left some former patients feeling that policy rules are inconsistent with their health needs and that support for post-weight-loss surgery is limited. Many turn to private clinics or fundraising to cover the cost of surgery that is not readily available through the NHS.