BABS' £25,000 SURGERY

EastEnders star's incredible makeover

Exclusive by Fiona Cummins

EASTENDERS star Barbara Windsor has had around £25,000 of plastic surgery. The former Carry On actress is said to have had a facelift, tummy tuck, liposuction and a fatty lump removed - but she left her famous boobs as they are. A source said she did it so she could look her best for husband Scott Mitchell, adding: "He always supports her decisions." Barbara took the decision to have expensive plastic surgery after weeks of heart to heart talks with Scott. The actress, 67, wanted to look her best for the 41-year-old - who gave her his full support. A source close to the EastEnders actress said: "As anyone can see, Barbara didn't need the surgery but she felt she wanted to look as good as possible for Scott. "Scott and Barbara finally decided to take the plunge after a series of emotional chats.

 

"Scott loves the way she looks but will always support her decisions."

Celebrity plastic surgeon Jan Stanek carried out the operation after a series of consultations with Barbara during which he warned her of the risks.

She had a face lift, tummy tuck, liposuction and a fatty lump removed - although her famous boobs were left alone.

The source added: "There was a lot to be done and she was under general anaesthetic for a long time but some stars prefer to get it all over and done with at once.

"She didn't opt for any work on her boobs, she seems to be as proud of those as she was in the Carry On days."

Babs booked into the Welbeck hospital near Harley Street in London on Monday last week.

Onlookers said she was accompanied by her husband who ushered her through the reception area.

It is thought to be the first time she has had plastic surgery, although she had a non-surgical face lift at London's CAIC clinic.

And in recent years she admitted she would consider going under the knife.

Babs once said: "I saw myself on television the other day and I noticed the area around the neck has gone a little bit.

"I'm not usually vain so for me to notice means it must need attention. I would also hate to get lines around my mouth, or fat under my eyes, and wouldn't hesitate to have something done.

"I'd also have liposuction. I'm lazy and won't exercise at all so I've always got a stomach."

Recently Babs released a fitness video and DVD called the Windsor Workout. She said the regime, devised with personal trainer Roy Gayle, had left her in the best condition of her life.

Babs revealed: "I feel fitter than ever. I've got a firmer tummy and chest and feel toned all over.

"Because I am all toned up, I can wear what I like."

But she took a break from promoting the video to have the surgery.

Barbara, who has hinted she may not return to EastEnders, left the 27-bed private clinic by the back entrance on Thursday. Sources said it could take her up to three months to recover from the surgery.

Mr Stanek - who stars in Channel 4 show 10 Years Younger - charges £200-an-hour for his services.

The first operation Babs had was the tummy tuck which costs £6,500.

The liposuction, comes to more than £4,000, and a facelift costs around £6,000.

The source said Barbara had a lipoma, a non-cancerous lump of fatty cells, removed. That's about £500.

She stayed in the hospital's best room where she would pay almost £4,000 for the privilege.

Neither Barbara nor Scott were available for comment last night.

It has been a tough two years for Babs, who had to take an extended break from EastEnders after being diagnosed with the debilitating Epstein Barr syndrome in 2002.

She battled depression, and at times felt suicidal.

Barbara said: "At first, I didn't realise the depression was part of the illness. I couldn't reason with myself and didn't want to see anybody, even friends.

"Every time I woke up it was dark. It was a horrible feeling and I didn't want to wake up. I've had a good life, and I would say, 'Please don't let me wake up'. When I did I'd have a go at God.

"Apart from going to the toilet and having a bath, which was right next to the bed, I couldn't do anything.

"At the worst period I couldn't get out of bed for two months. I couldn't have gone on working if I wanted to. I broke out in styes on my eyes, I got tinnitus and was covered in spots."

But Babs insists she is now better and friends say she wanted the surgery to complete her recovery.

WHAT SHE HAD DONE

1 FACELIFT
TIME: Up to five hours of surgery.
COST: Approximately £6,000.
RISKS: The patient's face could be left numb for up to a year.
TARGET: Leave the face tighter and smoother, "younger looking". The effects can last for up to 10 years, depending on the elasticity of the skin.
OPERATION: Typically, involves a cut within the hairline at the temple. The incision is extended down to the top of the ear, round the front of the ear to the ear lobe and into the hairline around the back. A cut may also be made under the chin to help correct a sagging jaw line. The skin is separated from the underlying muscles of the face. These muscles are tightened and excess fat is removed. Then the skin is lifted up and pulled back. Excess skin is trimmed off and the cut is stitched. Make-up can usually be worn after four days, but should be kept away from the stitches.

2. TUMMY TUCK
TIME: Three hours. COST: £6,500.
RISKS: Invasive and leaves large scar.
TARGET: Reduce excess skin and fat in the abdominal area. Best results produce a smoother, flatter stomach and may also improve the appearance of stretch marks. The operation is not intended as a weight control method.
OPERATION: Under a general anaesthetic, excess fat and skin will be removed from the abdominal wall and the surgeon may also tighten the abdominal muscles. Afterwards, the patient will usually need to stay in hospital for a day or two and wear a corset for several weeks to reduce any swelling and improve comfort.

3. LIPOSUCTION
TIME: Up to two hours.
COST: Anything up to £4,000.
RISKS: Excess skin is left which may need further surgery to be removed.
TARGET: Remove excess deposits of fat from areas such as the upper thighs or abdomen in a bid to change body shape.Results can be long-lasting, especially if afterwards the patient takes regular exercise, eats a healthy diet and maintains correct weight.
OPERATION: Suction - provided by a vacuum-like device or a large syringe - is used to remove fat deposits. It is inserted through a small incision. Patients usually go home the same day, but an elasticated garment will need to be worn for several weeks.

4. LIPOMA REMOVED
TIME: Around two hours.
COST: Approximately £500.
RISKS: Prone to infection.
TARGET: Remove lipomas, which are noticed as soft fatty lumps just beneath the skin. They are totally benign.
Lipomas most commonly appear on the shoulders, chest and back - and vary from pea size to several centimetres.
OPERATION: Usually removed under local anaesthetic. Once the skin is numbed, an incision is made over the lipoma. It is then pulled up out of the cut and detached from the underlying tissue.

5. NO BOOB JOB
Barbara said she did not want any work on her famous cleavage.

She is happy to leave nature well alone.

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