LYING motionless as a therapist’s hands kneaded firm, deep pressure across my bare stomach, my mind raced in panic.
My belly began to gurgle loudly in the silent room, but as I glanced down at my body 60 minutes later, I gasped at what had suddenly vanished.
Lynsey Hope, before the treatment, with her stubborn post-baby belly Credit: Olivia West
After the 60-minute treatment, Lynsey’s tummy looks far more sculpted Credit: Olivia West
The stubborn, wobbly bulge that had plagued my stomach since having my third child was completely gone, leaving the distinct outline of my hips visible for the first time in years.
Back home that evening, I stepped onto my smart scales, holding my breath as the digital screen flashed up the final verdict.
My body fat percentage had plummeted from 31 per cent to 27 per cent in a single day – and my waist looked visibly flatter and cinched in.
It was all thanks to a non-surgical treatment – known as the Body by Soph method – which combines deep-tissue Brazilian sculpting with lymphatic drainage to manually flush trapped fluid and toxins from the body while breaking down stubborn fat cells.
With women increasingly turning to quick-fix body contouring over invasive surgery or expensive fat jabs, the £200-a-session procedure has exploded in popularity.
Founder Sophie Yerby is now booked solid for six months, with desperate clients flying into her London clinic from across the globe, while dozens of rival clinics launch similar techniques across the UK, US, and Australia.
I spend hours in the gym, eat plenty of protein and drink a green juice every day, but no matter what I do my tummy always looks bloated.
Since having my third child, Ivy, now six, I’ve lost a stone in weight. I’m 45, 9st 10lbs and only a size eight. But I hate my stomach. The skin is crepey and the wobbly bits just won’t seem to shift. I’m conscious of what I wear and would never dare to wear a bikini on holiday.
Lynsey tries out the viral Body Sculp by Soph London Credit: Olivia West
Sophie has gained a large list of celebrity clients eager for her services Credit: Olivia West
So if a miracle treatment loved by celebs could make me look instantly slimmer, I’d say it’s definitely worth a go.
A-listers including Elle MacPherson, Sienna Miller, Emma Willis and Zoe Ball have all visited Sophie at her clinic in the basement of the home she shares with her mum, 105-year-old nan and two adopted children in London’s Maida Vale.
A former childcare worker, Sophie discovered lymphatic drainage when she started taking beauty courses and set up her business four years ago.
The process works in two distinct stages. The first technique de-puffs and reduces swelling by moving lymph fluid from tissues to be flushed out of the body. The Brazilian body sculpting massage focuses on deep tissue stimulation to boost blood flow and break down fat cells.
Her treatment room is very ‘zen’. The bed looks comfy, the lighting is dim and relaxing music plays.
As soon as I lay on the treatment bed, Sophie notices the fluid in my tummy and she is confident she can make me look slimmer – and feel healthier. I have a compression mark on my tummy from my shorts, which Sophie says is a sign of excess fluid.
As I lie down, I feel a bit nervous about having my tummy pummelled but I have a feeling the results will be worth it. Sophie explains the lymphatic system to me in simple terms.
“It’s like getting rid of the dirty washing in the body,” she says. “The lymph nodes under your armpits, in the groin area and around your neck, they are the washing machines.
A-listers including Elle MacPherson have visited Sophie at her clinic – here she posts a pic before treatment Credit: instagram/soph.london.lymph
And looking firmer and flatter, Elle after having Soph’s treatment Credit: instagram/soph.london.lymph
“The fluid in your body, called lymph, picks up any waste, bacteria, abnormal cells such as cancer cells or inflammation. It takes them to these washing machines, the lymph nodes, and it filters and neutralises them.”
The problem is that, as we age, the process naturally slows down. It’s also affected by the food we eat, lack of sleep, alcohol, toxins and stress.
Sophie starts by massaging the lymph nodes in my neck and around my collar bone and slowly works her way around my body, including my legs and back. She encourages deep breathing throughout and it’s incredibly relaxing, I almost drifted off.
For a time, I’m rolled on to my front so Sophie can work on my back. Mostly she uses her hands, but when she spots the cellulite on the back of my legs, she gets the wooden tools out. But it’s still very gentle.
Even when she starts working on my tummy, it’s relaxing. But I can hear a lot of fluid moving around and my stomach is gurgling.
Sophie says her method can help to increase blood flow, drain toxins, boost metabolism, reduce fluid retention and support the immune system.
“Inflammation can show up in the body in lots of different ways,” she says.
“For some it might present as acne, eczema or allergies, while for others it can look more like swelling, puffiness, bloating, aching joints or constantly feeling tired and run down. We look at the whole person, not just one symptom, so we can tailor the treatment to what their body needs.”
A beaming Elle MacPherson with Soph Credit: instagram/soph.london.lymph
Emma Wills, above with Soph, is also a big fan Credit: instagram/soph.london.lymph
Happy with all this – and if I look slimmer at the end of it, even better.
After an hour on the treatment bed, I feel incredibly relaxed – and immediately, I can see a difference.
The compression mark I arrived with has gone. You can really see the outline of my hips. My waist has literally shrunk in 60 minutes. I’m very impressed with the results and have a huge smile on my face.
To maintain that dramatic four per cent fat drop and cinched-in finish I’d recorded on my scales that evening, Sophie warned me to drink plenty of water and strictly avoid alcohol for 72 hours. Beyond the instant waist reduction, my legs looked significantly more toned, the cellulite on my thighs appeared smoothed out, and I felt a surge of energy as the trapped fluid cleared my system.
Sophie says she noticed I looked bloated, with tightness around the abdomen, particularly around the bowel area and underneath the diaphragm.
“I focused on gently encouraging those areas to relax, helping to ease tension and support normal movement. The aim was to help your body switch into a calmer, rest and repair state.”
I do worry that a family birthday barbecue a few days later will ruin the results.
Sophie says the results typically last around 10 days, but making ‘healthier life choices’ extends the benefit.
Sophie says the results typically last around 10 days Credit: Olivia West
Lynsey says the treatment was wonderful and can’t wait to do it again Credit: Olivia West
There are things you can do to improve lymphatic drainage yourself at home.
“Self massage is fantastic,” she says. “Focus on the lymph nodes around the collarbone, the head and neck area, underneath the armpits and in the groin. The stomach also has an area of lymph nodes.”
“Keeping hydrated, plenty of sleep and practising deep breathing is also effective.”
One of Sophie’s biggest fans is her 105-year-old grandmother Lilly Humphrey, or ‘Nanny Lil’, who receives regular treatment, so there’s certainly evidence that lymphatic drainage might keep us healthy well into old age.
But medics are not yet convinced.
GP Dr Helen Wall says most remain ‘on the fence’.
”The theory is plausible as we know movement helps the lymphatic system,” she says. “But the evidence is very limited. That doesn’t mean it’s not helping. We just don’t have the physical evidence to recommend it on the NHS for things it is claimed to help. Sometimes the claims are a bit over stated or at least not in line with the evidence available.”
It is only recommended by the NHS for lymphoedema, often after cancer treatment.
“In terms of health and people wanting detoxification, weight loss, sculpting or general wellness, the evidence is much weaker,” she adds.
“Again, the absence of evidence doesn’t meant it doesn’t work, it’s just never been investigated.
”Some people do report a temporary reduction in puffiness and if it gives them a positive boost to their mindset or wellness, that’s no bad thing. But effects tend to be short lived.”
For me though, it’s been a wonderful experience and one I can’t wait to repeat. This is the perfect treatment for wellness lovers, but also for those who simply want to look slimmer for a holiday or squeeze into a dress on a night out. I can see why it’s so popular with the rich and famous.
