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Ellie Jones was born with a condition which stopped her jawbones from growing properly. At first, her parents didn’t realise there was a problem, apart from the fact that her teeth were not aligned.

But when she went to have braces fitted to straighten her teeth when she was 14, consultant orthodontist Joy Hickman realised her jaw had not grown since she was eight.

Over the next six years Miss Hickman worked with consultant maxillofacial surgeon Emma Woolley at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd to transform Ellie’s looks.

She underwent her first operation at the age of 16. Ellie said it was “really painful but had to be done to sort the problem”.

Ellie, who is now 20, said: “I was on a liquid diet for about a month, which was really hard, and I couldn’t talk properly – I had to use a notepad to communicate.

“After a while I was able to mumble a few words, and had a lisp for a while due to how swollen my mouth was.”

The surgery paid almost immediate dividends: “About six months after it was my year 11 prom and it looked good.”

Her jaws were cut horizontally and vertically, then a year later she endured more corrective surgery on her chin, which was also misshapen: “I’d always felt like my chin was too small, so the second procedure, which was optional, made another big difference.

“I mostly just felt relieved – I finally felt like I could be myself.”

She told the Daily Post the change in her appearance has been matched by an increase in confidence.

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“Now I just feel normal,” said shop assistant Ellie, 20, who lives at home with dad Simon, mum Natalie and sister Chloe, 21. “It’s worth the year of pain and my mum said what’s a year compared to the rest of your life.”

“I used to dance and I used to be afraid to come to the front but after I had it done my dance teacher said she could see the difference in my confidence.

“I was shy but now I feel really confident. It’s changed my whole life.”

Ellie now dreams of being a photographer but would look just at home on the other side of the lens.

She wants to take photos of others’ special moments and is looking for opportunities to pursue her dream.

She said she owed a debt of gratitude to the team and revealed surgeon Emma Woolley even called her at home one night to check on her condition.

For mum Natalie too, the effects on her daughter have been much more than skin deep.

She said: “The surgery has not only changed the way Ellie looked, but also the way she portrays herself.

“Her confidence has grown and she’s blossomed into a beautiful young lady.”

More than 100 patients are seen each year with similar problems at Glan Clwyd but Ellie’s was particularly severe, according to Ellie’s surgeon.

“A lot of people don’t actually realise they have a jaw deformity, and just accept that they have difficulties biting,” said Emma Woolley. “By not treating it at a young age, it can cause real difficulties later in life.

“I’m really glad the treatment has made a difference and given Ellie her confidence back.”