When Diane Bischoff looks in the mirror she likes what she sees. The bags of loose skin under her eyes are long gone and an impressive collection of pearly whites fill her mouth.
At last she’s happy with her reflection.
“I am and always have been happy in my own skin but for years my teeth have been giving me grief and the bags under my eyes wouldn’t go away,” Diane, 52, said.
“People were constantly asking me if I was tired or rundown.”
So Diane decided to do something about it.
NEW CRAZE: Dianne Bischoff is pleased with the results of her plastic surgery, despite the risks of travelling overseas for the operation.
“I sat down one day and I thought what could I do for myself and then I started thinking about getting my teeth fixed and it all went from there,” she said.
Following months of extensive research and phone calls, Diane settled on a cosmetic surgery holiday package through Gorgeous Getaways in Kuala Lumpur.
Her first port of call was a consultation with a plastic surgeon from the Malaysian resort.
“I went to see the surgeon in Sydney and I was happy with how things were going so I went ahead and booked the trip but I didn’t make the decision lightly . . . it obviously required a lot of thought,” she said.
During her trip to Malaysia, Diane underwent a full face lift and major dental work to the tune of $13,000. But she also walked away with more than she bargained for.
“Obviously it’s not for everyone and I did take a risk leaving the country to have this done but I don’t regret it.”
WORTH THE RISK: Diane Bischoff before her trip.
But Diane said news of her facelift had been met with mixed reactions.
“Some people have been really happy for me while others aren’t exactly thrilled but I feel great . . . I finally look as good as I feel on the inside,” she said.
But not all people who undergo offshore plastic surgery are as lucky as Diane.
A new survey by the Australian Society for Plastic Surgeons - the peak body for Australia’s fully qualified plastic surgeons - has revealed that many Australians are left high and dry when surgery goes wrong.
“People are falling for an irresistible, but very irresponsible, form of advertising that promises excellent levels of care and monitoring after their surgery, sometimes even better than they could get at home,” past society president Dr Bill Cockburn said.
WORTH THE RISK: Diane Bischoff shortly after her trip.
“They desperately want to believe it’s true. In the real world though, an operation is just one part of the whole care
package. There needs to be follow-up and monitoring, sometimes for weeks and even months afterwards. It’s naive
to think that two or three hours of surgery is all you need to invest in.”
The society has reported an increase in the number of patients returning from overseas surgery with post-operative
complications, ranging from infected implants and lopsided tummy tucks to shrivelled nipples and, in one case, even
the loss of a belly button.
Dr Cockburn said many of these patients were reporting that they felt abandoned the moment things went wrong.
“One woman, unhappy with the results of her surgery in Malaysia was told to stop fretting and go shopping instead,” he said.
The society advises people that complications can occur with any surgery.
“Unfortunately there will always be patients lured overseas if they think they can save money,” Dr Cockburn said.
“While things can go wrong in any surgery, there are huge advantages in being able to get back to your treating surgeon.
What we’re finding is that many patients have their surgery in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur or wherever, then get on a plane
and come home. And if an infection develops or you’re not happy with the result of your surgery it’s too late.”
