Case study - Jo's Surgery Holiday In sri lanka

Profession:	IT Engineer
Age:	31
Country:	United Kingdom
Procedures:	Extended Tummy Tuck, Liposuction to Arms, Back, Thighs
Cost of holiday:	Approximately £3,000, inclusive of surgery, hospital stay, 5-star accommodation for 2 weeks; all care and transfers on the ground in Sri Lanka Cost of just the treatments at home £8,000 - 10,000

 

Years of mental torture and alcohol abuse nearly took Jo's sanity until she met a lovely soul who led her to freedom and self-belief.

 

Why I need a makeover

I have been trying to save to come to Malaysia, but each time I think I have saved some money, something goes wrong and I have to use it, I am SO DESPERATE to have a tummy tuck and all of my leftover fat removed, after losing 6 and a Half stones. I still feel fat and unsightly as I cannot wear any small clothes, due to flabby arms, fat thighs (which it doesn’t matter how much walking/squats and exercise I do I cannot get rid of, and a flabby pouch that just hangs at the front which makes me look unsightly and feel sick at the look of it, if I wear a pair of jeans I have to wear a belt which squashes it out then I look wider, I have to wear baggy clothes which make me feel old and frumpy, I would like a boob job too after going from a 38 gg to a 34 c it has dented my confidence, but I would be willing to wait a while for that if I had too. In my job now, working as an only women engineer in an all man office, I feel due to my weight and the fact that I cover up in trouser suits that I have become one of the lads, I would love to feel comfortable enough to wear a really girly outfit, and finally cast away all of my old frumpy wardrobe I am out and about all the time repairing computers and printers etc within Dr's Surgeries and hospitals, but I still dread facing people as I feel that they think that I do not care for my appearance and have let myself become un toned, it's been a huge battle losing this weight and although I have about 2 stones left to move, I feel if I have surgery that it will give me that little bit of a boost to lose the rest, yet alone to start liking the new me



My road to "recovery"

I had been overweight most of my life, and no one had ever told me I looked a mess, so one day after years of aching knees I decided something had to be done. However, this was not going to be easy as the more overweight I got, the more depressed I got and the more I ate. I eventually topped the scales at 25 - weighing 18 and a half stone.

Too much alcohol, no exercise and a bad diet led me to a life of pain and unhealthiness, until one day I joined a slimmer's club and decided to change my eating habits, and try to get some confidence to go out and start making a life for myself.

I was 25, working several cleaning jobs with no career prospects and no way forward. I lost two and a half stones and started to like my new shape. With this confidence boost, I started a computer course and started to go out a bit to clubs. I continued with the weight loss and within that year, I had passed my driving test and passed my computer course, and felt a new person.

Eventually, my marriage of 7 years fell apart as the weight loss had changed me. My ex-husband never encouraged me and after one day telling me he preferred the couch potato that I was before, I decided he was holding me back and had to go too.

I continued to steadily lose weight. In May 2004, after a messy divorce, emotionally drained and needing a fresh start, I left my old life behind and moved to Grimsby to live with my new partner. In the past 3 years, he has encouraged me to get fitter.

I have a new career as an IT Engineer for the NHS now. As an only woman engineer in an all male office, I feel due to my weight and the fact that I cover up in trouser suits that I have become one of the lads. I would love to feel comfortable enough to wear a really girly outfit, and finally cast away all of my old frumpy wardrobe. The good news is that I have managed to get my weight to 12 stone 3, still overweight for my 5 ft 2 inch frame, but a lot fitter and healthier than I was.

But no matter how many times I went to the gym and how ever many crash diets, slimming tablets and diet aids I tried, I could not get rid of my unsightly Kangaroo Pouch. A big piece of skin that hung around my front, which made everything I wore look terrible. If I wore jeans I had to wear a belt to hold it all in, but then it just squashed it and made my hips look huge.

Unlimited amounts of sit ups was not going to get rid of this. I was so fed up of covering myself up with cardigans and long jackets to hide the huge bump that made me feel so depressed. I used to look at it every night and squeeze it hard hoping that I could magic it away.

I am out and about all the time repairing computers and printers etc within doctor's surgeries and hospitals, but I still dread facing people. I feel that they think that I do not care for my appearance and have let myself become untoned. It's been a huge battle losing this weight and although I have about 2 stones left to move. I feel if I have surgery that it will give me that little bit of a boost to lose the rest, yet alone to start liking the new me.

My confidence was affecting my relationship with constant self criticism and self loathing. I decided to look into surgery over 18 months ago. My partner has been supportive all the way. He knows what it means to me, and having a slimmer girl on his arm wouldn't harm either.

I looked on the Gorgeous Getaways site and got a few quotes, the prices were the best I had found after trawling the net for weeks. The hardest part was to save for it, but at this time I could only dream of myself without THE tummy but was determined to go through with it.

An affordable solution

I looked into a few cosmetic surgery companies in the UK but they were far more expensive. Even though they offered finance but it was much more than I could afford however desperate i was to have the saggy tummy removed. The thought of having a holiday and coming back refreshed and looking better really appealed to me. I could take my partner and he could enjoy a bit of relaxation and be there for me.

Gorgeous Getaways offer exotic locations, with a very good customer base, regular feedback, and a very affordable package.

Pride and prejudice

A few days before I was to fly out, the nerves set in. I was so hyper and stressing over the silliest of things. I made sure my life insurance was valid and did a lot of research about all of the procedures. I could not turn back for anything, I had to do this. My partner supported me all the way and came out with me for the surgery.

I work in a very male-dominated office, so all of the men thought I was nuts to be going for surgery, let alone going abroad. But there were different opinions from all of the office girls, receptionist and nurses that I see day to day as I go around repairing IT equipment in my local hospital. They were all supportive and said how brave I was to be doing it. They wished me the best and couldn't wait to see the results.

Sri Lanka, 5-star all the way!

Sri Lanka is a lovely destination, fantastic weather, but in need of money. There was a lot poverty, until I reached the hospital I was wondering what I had let myself in to.

I was met at the hotel by the Gorgeous Getaways girls. What a lovely greeting. We sat and talked about what was expected then left to settle in the hotel room. The hotel was amazing, 5 star, right on the beach, the doormen, waiters, and staff were all courteous and very helpful and friendly. A totally different feel to how you are treated in some holiday locations.

I was taken to meet my surgeon that evening at 7, the Gorgeous Getaways driver picked us all up at 7pm in a Mercedes. As we drove up to the hospital I was amazed by the look of it, a 9 story hospital, looked like a hotel that you expected to find in New York or somewhere like that.

The door man opened my car door, I felt like royalty. I was greeted by the Admin that took me into the hospital. I walked through reception that was very clean, and busy with staff, and taken into an room with 2 sofas and a glass wall. It was overlooking the main lobby which was huge and covered by a glass atrium.

I had never known a hospital like it. I had been in a private hospital before and it was no comparison to this.

I met the surgeon, they were very friendly and made me feel relaxed. They explained everything fully, constantly asking me if I wanted to ask anything. All of the staff were the same, very helpful, very reassuring, and the nurses were absolutely brilliant. You can tell by the care they give you that they love their job, and give 100 % to the patient.

The managers, room service, ward managers, doctors, even the cleaners are friendly and do their job to the best standards in any hotel, let alone hospital.

The room was huge, my side was my bed, 1 wardrobe, and the bathroom, and a huge tv. Duncan's room was a mirror of mine, with a double sofa bed, a TV, a fridge freezer, and a sofa, and all tea/coffee making facilities and the room service 24 hours. All of high standards, a must for couples, take them with you!!

All ready to go

I had all my pre op checks done thoroughly and discussed all the details that evening from the Op down to the pain relief, to the aftercare.
I went back to my hotel with peace of mind that I was in good hands and couldn't wait for the next day.

I was due to be picked up at 2pm, so I had a good breakfast as I had to fast from 10 am. Then I went for a swim in the salt pool, then booked myself in for an hour's Oriental massage that the hotel offers as it has its own health spa, 4 restaurants, tea rooms, gym, and shopping precinct.

The hour-long massage finally relaxed me, but I had piece of mind anyway from all the thorough check ups and Q & A and advice that I had received from all the staff and Gorgeous Getaways.

Special and well cared for

I must admit I was not nervous at all. I was admitted at 3.30pm taken to my room. I undressed and put on my surgery gown, and I had my BP, weight, heart beat and temperature checked.

As I sat on the bed waiting for the wheelchair to come to take me to the surgeon I was given a mild sedative. It was time to go, I gave Duncan a big hug, felt slightly tearful and took a deep breath.

The staff in the Operating theatre were all very talkative and reassuring, they held general conversation to keep me calm. The anesthetist came and asked me a few more questions and explained what was next. The surgeons then marked me up for my Lipo and TT. All in all, I felt in the best hands. A smile from Louise from Gorgeous Getaways (just before I was taken through to surgery) made me feel special and well cared for.

I remember feeling a little nervous as I was wheeled into OT, as I could see all the tools and the lights where I was to have my surgery.

I woke up several hours later as I was being moved off the trolley onto my bed. I wasn't in pain, just had a very sore throat and feeling very very tired. I managed a little hug for my partner and said I'm ok. Apart from remembering my BP and temperature being taken and my hand control being given to me to administer the morphine, that's all I can remember.

I must have dozed back off, the morphine was doing its trick. I was given regular care around the clock for the next 4 days, with panadol twice a day after I stopped the morphine and twice a day for antibiotics. The nurses tended my every need, from bed bathing to hair brushing to getting me out of bed, and were there in seconds whenever I buzzed.

The Gorgeous Getaways girls visited me daily and even took Duncan out on an excursion and shopping while I got better. The room service and food that Duncan had was as good as any hotel, and we were really looked after by everyone.

I had my Op on the Tuesday night and by Saturday morning, all geared up in my compression suit and with my discharge medications and a list of Do's and Don't, I was allowed home. I was collected by the chauffeur in the Merc along with the Gorgeous Getaways staff and taken back to my hotel.

Feeling tired and a little shaky, but now I can start to recover in my own time and enjoy the rest of my holiday knowing that the Gorgeous Getaways girls or my surgeon is only a few minutes away.

A fabulous holiday

After the Op, I was still very sore and tire very easily. My legs were very bruised and swollen from the Lipo. We stayed out there 14 days in total (including traveling). I had 9 days holiday after the surgery and by the last few days felt up for a day trip out.

I did regular gentle walks, a little sunbathing keeping all my wounds covered, and a tiny amount of swimming. We visited the Elephant Orphanage which was 2 and a half hours drive away, which i took a pillow to sit on, but it was worth every bump. It was a lifetime experience to be with the Elephants in the wild as they ate and bathed.

We went shopping to small doses but enjoyable, and I recommend that you go to Waters Edge and have a facial, pedicure, manicure and head massage. Duncan had a 3 hour rejuvenation massage, one not to miss. Gorgeous Getaways will arrange this all for you.

You must visit the temple in Colombo, and if you have a taste for steak, you have the Cinnamon Grand, and the Gallery Bar, both selling fine cuisine, very affordable and a brilliant service. I suggest that you take at least 10-14 days after the surgery which will allow you time to do these things. I started to enjoy it only when it was time to go home.

I was looking forward to going home, I wanted to show everyone my new belly button. I was dreading the flight home because it was non stop from Sri Lanka to Grimsby. The heat had made my feet swell. Take plenty of water and try to walk every hour on the plane. It was a pleasurable experience, and a life-changing one for me, something that I will not forget for a long time.

Another round next year?

I was very pleased with my results, although at the moment I am bruised, swollen and sore. But obviously it has to look worse before it gets better. The liposuction to me is the worst part of the surgery. The Tummy tuck is nothing really, apart from a little struggle to get in and out of bed, and having to watch coughing and sneezing, it all feels fine.

I just can't stop looking at it. Although I am slightly swollen still, I have a perfectly flat tummy, and a brand new little belly button that sits right in the middle of my tummy.

My curves look fantastic, my back is no longer flabby and once I am all healed I know this will help my confidence a great deal. I will like the new look of me. If I don't and feel I need more done, I would return to Gorgeous Getaways next year.

My two cents

Take each day at a time, rest as much as possible. Drink plenty of water, keep a bottle next to you in bed at all times. Don't expect to look good straight away, and expect to get a little down. On my 2nd day out of hospital I cried my eyes out, because I couldn't see how my partner would ever find me attractive again.

Eat small amounts, and make sure you do not get constipated, it can really make you feel ill. Take a mild laxative with you.

If you have flabby skin and feel depressed or hate your body, go for this procedure. I will never look back these few weeks of discomfort and say the pain wasn't worth it. I am only 2 weeks post Op but I feel more confident and know I will get back to 100% health in no time.

Sri Lanka is the best!

Sri Lanka is a lovely place, and the healthcare is second to none. From the Gorgeous Getaways staff to the nurses, the chauffeurs to the waiters, I cannot fault anyone for my holiday. You are well informed, well looked after, and should feel at total ease if you pick the Gorgeous Getaways package.

I would recommend taking a family member/partner to help you when things get hard. The Gorgeous Getaways procedures are value for money, affordable and provide excellent service.
The locations are breathtaking.

I would definitely recommend Gorgeous Getaways to everyone I know. Those who are considering cosmetic surgery should go for it.....Thanks Gorgeous Getaways, you have changed my life!!

Read my diary here.

View her first photo album.

View her second photo album.

“I would definitely recommend Gorgeous Getaways to everyone I know. Those who are considering cosmetic surgery should go for it. ” Jo

If you would like to speak to Jo or other clients, please contact us at Gorgeous Getaways.