Aarni Mikkola, who has lost 60 pounds

Makeup artist and drag artist Aarni Mikkola has undergone quite a life change in the year, which is also visible from the outside.

In March last year, Mikkola underwent an obesity surgery, after which he has lost up to 60 kilos of weight.

– Surgery alone is not enough, but you need to combine exercise and diet. The stomach may recover if you do not follow the diet and exercise, he reminds me immediately.

There is a risk in every surgery, but Mikkola feels that obesity surgery was only a positive experience for him. Now, however, he is still facing a new surgery operation.

– This upcoming surgery is a so -called end point for my entire journey. I want to see and enjoy my own results, which I have achieved with weight loss and this surgery allows me to make it, Mikkola describes.

Over six -hour operation

At the end of August, Mikkola is heading to Estonia again for Abdominoplasty, or stomach design, which is also referred to as Tummy Tuck.

Even before the previous surgery, Mikkola knew that after losing weight, he might also want a new surgery. Mikkola, who has shed 60 pounds, describes the present in his life as a pain phase.

– I don’t see the results, I just see it hanging on the stomach.

As a result of weight loss, there is plenty of loose skin in the Mikkola abdomen. Skin folds become abrasions and extra skin affects both self -esteem and fitness.

Mikkola emphasizes that while the surgery is performed by a plastic surgeon and can be considered a aesthetic “beauty operation”, the surgery also has significant health effects.

The skin is also tightened under Mikkola’s chest to result in a uniform, tighter abdominal area.

At the same time, he is also subjected to eyelid surgery.

– I’ve been thinking about eyelid surgery for five years because I have really heavy eyelids. Now this is done with the same anesthesia, so what damn would I do at the same time.

There is an operation of more than six hours ahead with big risks. According to Mikkola, eyelid surgery is handled in about 15 minutes.

– There is a very high risk of inflammation in the stomach tensioning surgery. My friends who have gone through even big cuts have said that this has been definitely the most painful.

– It leaves lifelong scars, but everyone also says that this operation is more than worth it. I’m ready for pain so that I finally get my own feeling, Mikkola outlines.

New pole

Before the operation, Mikkola wanted to find out exactly what to do for him, for example, with videos.

Mikkola has also visited the surgeon who cuts him. His stomach is made by long incisions, extending from one side to the other and vertically under the chest.

– The stomach is opened and pulled down. Handmade it is sewn piece by piece, he says.

During the consultation visit, Mikkola was surprised when he was asked if he wanted to get back.

– My hub will be removed, as usually the extra skin is removed at the point. I immediately said that I would like a new navel. It will have its own small new point.

– It would seem strange if it wasn’t a navel, then it would only seem that we have been in operations now.

Recovery from surgery requires about one month of sick leave. Mikkola says that about a couple of months of training should be taken for about three months of training.

– The hardest part will probably be that I can’t sleep in my stomach. I have to sleep on my back, which I have never really had, Mikkola predicts.

In total, three operations: abdominal tightening, Fleur-de-lis, also under breast tightening and eyelid surgery, according to Mikkola, for a total of around € 15,000.

– Of course, we talk about very big money, but now we are also talking about my health and self -esteem.

Young men pushing down

Mikkola participated in 2020 The biggest drop and already at that time the changes in their body to all people. For many, weight loss and associated cuts can be a sensitive and personal thing for many. It is for this reason that Mikkola has decided to continue sharing his story openly with all its sides, and does not show his stomach on social media.

– With the exception of my front, I have already shown everything from my own body to the Finnish people, so let’s just put more meat on the counter, Mikkola laughs.

Indeed, Mikkola has received encouraging feedback for his courage to tell about obesity surgery and messages from, for example, people who have not dared to publicly tell others about their operations.

However, there is also a different feedback. According to Mikkola, many of his followers assume that he would “go to cut his fat,” even though he has naturally lost weight after surgery. Current scales readings have been behind hard work.

– Young men in particular attack me on social media. I am annoyed by how young people feel that they can comment on one’s body and the choices of another.

– Many also want to come to say that they have lost weight without any cuts. As if they had done something “better”. Especially in Tikkek, this unfortunate phenomenon shows that one wants to punch the other.

Mikkola recalls how everyone should make decisions that feel good about themselves and live their own life. So far, he is annoying to heal his self -esteem when he finally feels in his own body.

– I would like everyone to have a good relationship with their own body.

However, he admits that publicly The biggest dropIn A format, losing weight also increased self -criticism.

– I have to think about what the end result I want. Even the biggest drops competed with the weight loss. After that, I also determined my own success in life, depending on how my weight drops.

Later, from a healthy relationship to weight loss, Mikkola also discussed with the psychotherapist. Similarly, surgery operations include the support of a psychologist.

Mikkola Clothes: Zalando/Gestuz, Jewelry: Kalevala, stylist: Iivo Hyle.