Any one had cosmetic surgery abroad?

13katrina

Hello,

I'm thinking of having a tummy tuck and maybe some lipo on my thighs/lovehandles. It's so expensive I'm thinking of going abroad.

Has anyone else done this? Any good/bad experiences? Anything I should consider? Any recommendations?

All honest thoughts and opinions on this matter would be much appriciated.

Katrina

Toothsmith

No experience(!) but I will say what I say when 'Dentistry abroad' threads begin.

Firstly, people are not washing machines. It isn't a case of taking out one part and putting in a different part - job done.

People react in a whole range of ways to different treatments. The majority of people will be OK with the majority of treatments, but there will always be people who do not react well. Look at Lesley Ash or Farrah Fawcett Majors or Jacko - Bad reactions happen!

If you are one of those, how will you cope with having to fly back several thousand miles to see the surgeon who looked after you?

Secondly, there are different standards in different parts of the world, both in training and the regulations covering who can call themselves a 'cosmetic surgeon' and the hygiene standards of premesis.

Now - this needn't necessarily mean that places abroad are inferior - and indeed there can be hospitals in this country that leave a lot to be desired, but at least if you are local, then it's much easier to get any problems sorted out.

If you do go for the 'cheaper' option, I would suggest you have a contingency fund that would pay for extra visits should something go wrong - and if you have that fund available, why not just get it done locally anyway?

mandy_moo_1

my sister went to South Africa to have a tummy tuck and breast augmentation a couple of years ago. i can't remember exactly how much it cost, but i know with the flight and accommodation it was still half of what she would've paid in this country.

she didn't have a bad experience fortunately, but like the post above said, you DO have to look into what you're options would be if things went wrong. I personally had cosmetic surgery in this country, and even then i did a lot of checking into the surgeon etc before going ahead

Whatever you decide, good luck! if it's something you really really want, the confidence boost afterwards is amazing

lewt

aint taking the p1ss but why not diet? save yourself no end

Knelley

Hi

I would like to add my experience to you:)

I have had 5 operations on my chest for breast augmentation, I went from a 34A to a 34D. Now, before anyone condemns me for this, I would like to clarify my situation.:)

I was 21 when I first looked in a 3 way mirror and realised that I was 'different' . My left hand breast had not developed the same as my right hand breast. I had, up until this point lived with it and accepted it but until I had 'seen' it from anothers perpsective ( 3 way mirror ) I did not know how severe it was. All I knew was that I had to pad out my undeveloped breast to make it the same as my other side, which may I add was a 34A.

Now, when I realised the difference it totally affected my view on myself and how others viewed me:( I started to REALLY see how I looked and the worst experience of my life was when I spent the 2 hours in an airport, before flying out on holiday, looking for a bikini. I could get one that fitted one side but not the other and vice versa. There was such a difference in sizes that nothing fitted me. I ended up spending the holidy in a padded bra, with a t-shirt over me as my bikini, at 21 years of age:( and the whole 2 weeks in tears.

I remember having a conversation with my then MIL about her having breast cancer. She had her breast cut off and got support and implants to help her with the difference. I remember saying at the time that I wished it was me. Yes, that is how bad things were with me:( At least I thought, I would have gotten support and people would understand and sympathise with what was wrong with me not look, laugh and point):(

I decided to go to the doctors after my holiday to see if they could help me. I walked in, started crying, even before I could explain what I felt was wrong with me as it was so personal and then said to the doctor ' I want you to take my breast off'. I was only a 34A. i took my top off and the doctor straight away said to me ' I see your problem' which made me feel human and relieved as I thought it was just me and that I was paranoid. The sense of relief I felt you could never imagine.

My doctor went on to explain to me how a reduction was so much more of an operation than an implant. I was then put on a waiting lise for an implant.

I waited 1 year and then got the notifacation for me to go in. I went in to get my operation. I was so excited. I had it and when I went home was in so much pain:( I couldn't sleep lying down and found it difficult to breath. The only way I could sleep was lying between 2 armchairs, sitting up as the pain was so severe. I felt something was wrong. I phoned my mum, who is a nurse and she came to see me after 5 days. She took one look and phoned the hospital who took me in for an emergency operation. My implant had slipped between my rib cage and my chest muscles. I felt even more of a freak. But I remember crying before I went into the theatre to get it removed as they told me that I would need to wait a year for another one. I begged them to try and keep it, as the thought of being without it for another year was devastating to me. They had to remove it.

I had to wait another year to have it again. I got the implant, which was a temporary one for a year to stretch the skin, then got the permanent one a year after. I had this for 7 years with no problems until I had my children and then it was the original problem but the opposite side! I went back 2 years ago and explained to them the problem. I had 2 options, either get the opposite side reduced which resulted in massive scarring or get both increased to a larger size. I wasn't in it for big boobs and never was..........I just wanted to feel normal:) I rejected both and they gave me 6 months to think about it. I went away and spoke to a few people and it was a friend who said 'go for it'!

Well, I went for it in Oct 2005 and have never looked back:) I was supposed to go to a C cup and was mortified when I woke up a D cup! I went back and asked if they were going to get smaller:rotfl: My surgeon asked 'Was I complaining?' When I thought about it, No, I wasn't.

It has now been over a year since my operation and I have never been happier:). I feel like a 'normal' person for the first time in my life, which, until you have experienced it is not something to dismiss.:) Don't get me wrong it has not been easy as there were complications and it is something I will always have to live with. I work in the fashion industry and the amount of customers I get who comment 'You are lucky, you are a size 10!' It isn't always like that and everyone has something they wish they didn't. I always have to consider what I wear as I always have to wear a bra as the difference is still there without one. You don't always have to be a size 12 upwards to have problems:p

I am sorry that this post is so long but I felt that I had to explain my situation. Yes, there can be complications and yes, it can happen to you. It happened to me. But, it doesn't need to be the end of your life and you can go on and live an even better life. I say, you need to sit and think how you would feel if things got worse and how you would live with it BUT if things get better, it is the best feeling in the world!!!!! I know, I am living it right now!!!:T I wish you the best of luck and hope it all works out for you.

Hugs
Cazza

dizzydolly

lewt wrote: »

aint taking the p1ss but why not diet? save yourself no end

when the muscles have gone in your stomach ,no amount of dieting and exercise will get rid ,a couple of years ago I got down to 9.7st but still couldnt wear a ridgid size 14 skirt cos of my belly , but clothes hung off me in other areas , I say shop around carefully and get it done ,I would if I could afford it.