Not long ago, Paige Vickers from Stockton-on-Tees couldn’t walk down the street without feeling the sting of judgmental stares or cruel remarks.
Now, at 25 years old, she’s walking past people who don’t even recognize her—because the woman they once knew has completely transformed her life.
After struggling with her weight for years, Paige finally took a bold step that changed everything. And she’s not looking back.
Battling Bullies and the Weight Struggle That Wouldn’t Budge
For most of her teenage and adult life, Paige battled with her size.
At her heaviest, she weighed 23 stone and stood at just 5’4″.
Fast food became her comfort—two McDonald’s breakfasts a day, frequent trips to Greggs, and nightly takeaways formed her routine.
Despite trying countless diets and fitness plans, her weight hovered between 21 and 23 stone.
The cycle of binge-eating and crash dieting left her frustrated and defeated.
School years were especially hard. She remembers being mocked mercilessly by classmates who called her names like “whale”—cruel jabs that left lasting emotional scars.
Her polycystic ovary syndrome diagnosis at 18 only made managing her weight even harder.
Making the Life-Changing Choice to Go Abroad for Surgery
Fed up and exhausted, Paige started researching gastric sleeve surgery.
The idea had been in the back of her mind for a while, but in June 2024, she finally took the leap.
She booked a trip to Turkey, paid £3,000, and underwent the procedure that would reshape her life—literally and mentally.
Now, just over a year later, she’s dropped an astonishing 14 stone.
She’s gone from a size 28 to a slim size 10 and weighs just under 10 stone.
The difference? Nothing short of dramatic.
Friends Can’t Believe It’s Her—And Neither Can She
Paige says even her partner, Matthew Wilkinson, sometimes does a double take.
“It’s like he’s got a whole new girlfriend,” she laughs.
The couple, both 25, met when she was still at her heaviest and have been inseparable for nearly two years.
“Even my family has to look twice—they still can’t believe it’s me,” she shared.
“It’s hilarious how many times I’ve passed people I know in town and they just walk right by me.
Then later I’ll get a message like, ‘Was that you?!’”
A New Lease on Life and Love
For Paige, the physical transformation came with a huge mental boost. But it wasn’t always smooth.
“I never thought I’d even get down to 14 stone,” she admitted. “I’d been so let down by every diet and workout plan that I didn’t believe anything could work.”
Thankfully, she had Matthew’s support throughout.
“We met at my lowest point, and he stood by me through thick and thin—literally!” she joked.
“He never once made me feel bad about myself. He just wanted me to be happy.”
From TikTok Star to Troll Magnet
Paige’s transformation hasn’t gone unnoticed on social media either.
She posted a TikTok showing her before-and-after journey, and it quickly blew up—garnering over 445,000 views and more than 30,000 likes.
While most comments were full of praise, a few trolls crept in with unkind remarks.
Some even accused her boyfriend of having a “fetish” for bigger women. But Paige isn’t bothered. “I’ve developed thick skin from years of bullying.
I’m sarcastic by nature, and those comments don’t phase me anymore,” she said.
“It’s always the single men leaving that rubbish anyway.”
What She Eats Now Compared to Then
Paige’s eating habits have completely shifted since the surgery.
Here’s what her typical day used to look like, and how it’s changed:
Before the surgery:
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Breakfast: Two McDonald’s meals or Greggs pastries
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Lunch: A large sandwich
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Dinner: Takeaway pizza or Chinese
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Snacks: Crisps, chocolate bars
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Drinks: Litres of fizzy drinks
Now:
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Breakfast: Protein shake
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Lunch: Usually none—she’s still full from breakfast
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Dinner: Grilled chicken, sweet potato, and broccoli
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Snacks: A piece of fruit
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Drinks: Water only
Community Support—and a Few Hilarious Comments
The response from her followers has been mostly positive. Some couldn’t believe their eyes.
One wrote, “Omg girl you look amazing!” while another joked, “Get that lad scouting for Bournemouth!”
Others praised her boyfriend, calling him a “real man” for sticking with her through everything.
Paige says the love and support have been overwhelming—and deeply appreciated.
Looking Ahead with Confidence and Pride
Now that she’s healthier and more confident, Paige is excited about what the future holds.
She hopes her story can inspire others who feel stuck in the same cycle she once was.
“Surgery isn’t for everyone, but it saved my life,” she said.
“I’ve finally started to feel good about myself, and I’m proud of how far I’ve come.”
And with the glow of confidence and a healthy dose of humor, Paige is not just unrecognisable to others—she’s become someone even she never thought she could be.