Body transformations can often be impressive and inspirational.
I can't speak for myself as the only body transformation I've gone under in the last few years is something only a potato grower would understand.
20-year-old Ikem, from London, can boast that his transformation has gone in completely the other direction, however.
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In two years, Ikem has lost 15 stone, after his mother used to take him out of school to get his blood pressure checked at the hospital.
However, after his dramatic weight loss, he's been left with excess skin weighing more than 5kg. Unfortunately, no amount of exercise or diet will tighten it and the NHS will not fund a procedure.
Ikem, going by the name of Ikez Grafter and now pursuing a career in boxing, has set up a GoFundMe account to help him raise money for an upper body lift.
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Ikem said: "I've come so far on my journey, I have achieved things I never thought I could have achieved. It is physically impossible to tighten my skin, no matter how much I exercise and diet. This procedure could help me to excel in my boxing which is why I am so incredibly grateful that I've received so much support on my GoFundMe page."
"Being the fat kid at school was normal to me. My mum used to work late nights so I used to go into the freezer and put nuggets, burgers and sausages in the oven, fry some chips drowned in oil and salt and put meatballs on the top. Before I knew it I was eating pure junk and that was just the beginning," he continued.
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"After consuming all that I used to love making hot chocolate and eating ice cream afterwards. I would eat until I could not fit anything else in my belly."
Eventually, Ikem's mother had to lock the kitchen to stop him binge-eating. After he was stood at a bus stop with a group of friends and was hurled abuse at from a passing car, Ikem suddenly felt insecure about his weight, which triggered his astonishing transformation.
"The journey I have been through has been great and I've accomplished things I never would have imagined, but the downside is I have been left with excess amounts of loose skin around my stomach and lower chest.
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"When I first started to get close to my goal weight I always had the idea that I could tighten the skin myself but because of how much weight I have lost it is physically impossible, no matter how much I train," Ikem said.
Because the NHS won't fund the procedure, Ikem needs to use his story and GoFundMe account to reach the desired amount of £7,500.
His journey from 29 stone down to 14 is certainly inspiring.
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Words by Mark McGowan
Featured image credit: Ikez Grafter
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Weight Loss