Weight-loss journey sparks Margot Robbie lookalike buzz

Ellie Jeffries, a 26-year-old from the East Midlands, has become a talking point online after shedding 12 stone through a gastric sleeve and subsequent skin removal surgeries abroad. The transformation has fueled speculation that she bears a striking resemblance to Margot Robbie, the Australian actor known for high cheekbones and blonde hair.

Jeffries and her husband, Rhys, 30, traveled to Turkey for weight-loss procedures, spending about £20,000 in total. Ellie weighed 23 stone at her heaviest in January 2022 and reached 11 stone after the surgeries. The couple's journey — and the drastic changes in their bodies — attracted viral attention on TikTok, where a lookalike trend now features heavily.

Ellie’s weight-loss path included a gastric sleeve, which reduces stomach capacity, followed by skin removal procedures to address excess tissue after such dramatic losses. The couple shed 24 stone between them, and they spent £20,000 in total on their new bodies. Ellie’s heaviest weight was 23 stone; she now weighs about 11 stone. Rhys dropped from 26 stone to roughly 14 stone 5 pounds.

During the operations, Ellie had about 15 pounds of loose skin removed from her stomach, along with a breast uplift and reduction, plus an armpit lift, back lift, and liposuction to refine her new silhouette. The couple also underwent a tummy-tuck-style refinement as part of the transformation. “Having the surgeries done together meant that we could really support each other. We encouraged each other throughout our recovery, and it felt nice to do the final part of the transformation together,” Ellie said.

The pair say they now feel healthier and more active. They have paused plans to buy a house while prioritizing their health, and they say they track calories daily to maintain their weight and fitness. “Losing weight is the best thing we have ever done,” they told reporters, “and we are both over the moon, feeling very active and ready to do life.” Some observers have praised the look, while others have questioned the ethics of seeking celebrity resemblances through extreme surgery. “We’ve had to completely change the way we think about food,” Ellie added, “the surgery was just the beginning.”

In the broader health context, weight-management options vary. The NHS continues to offer bariatric surgery to eligible patients, with criteria including BMI thresholds and comorbidities. Earlier this year, authorities also approved new weight-management medications for patients with BMI over 40 and multiple health conditions, though funding gaps can limit access. The story of Ellie and Rhys underscores how social media can amplify personal transformations and fuel public fascination with celebrity lookalikes in a culture and entertainment landscape.