Woman gets pregnant ‘for free NHS tummy tuck’

Published on 09/02/2013 10:44

A WOMAN seeking a tummy tuck on the NHS has admitted to getting pregant so that doctors will prioritise her cosmetic procedure.

• Woman admits to getting pregnant in order to get tummy tuck on NHS

• Siobhan Leighton, 29, says decision driven by “desperation”

Twenty-nine-year-old Siobhan Leighton weighed 22st before having a gastric band fitted four years ago that reduced her body weight by more than half.

The 29-year-old told the Sun newspaper that she has been “desperate” to shed excess skin left after the operation.

Ms Leighton, who is unemployed, said she hoped her pregnancy would speed up the waiting time for cosmetic surgery to her “disgusting” body.

“It’s a terrible choice. I know vanity is not a reason to have a child but I am desperate.

“My body’s disgusting - my saggy belly hangs down to my thighs. Once I’ve had a tummy tuck I’ll feel so much better.

“Having a kid to get the body my dreams seemed like an easy decision to make - but pregnancy is harder than I thought.”

Mrs Leighton conceived the child with a partner who has now left her, and said they decided to try for a child after an NHS psychologist advised her that doctors were more likely to operate on her after she had finished having children.

She also admitted that she may give her baby up for adoption if she “can’t give her the life she deserves”.