Lori’s surgery holiday made her a new woman, and reaffirmed beliefs that she is adequate.

Before Lower Facelift, Upper & Lower Eyes	After Lower Facelift, Upper & Lower Eyes
Before Hip and Thigh Liposuction, Thigh Lift	After Hip and Thigh Liposuction, Thigh Lift

Crossing my invisible boundary
I always felt that I would not go down the path of face surgery. Although I have had a tummy tuck, arm lifts and breast reductions in Australia within the last five years and was willing to undergo more body surgery in an effort to remove the excess skin left after my 40+kg weight loss, I balked at doing anything to my face.

I had tried many things to improve my face including Fraxel laser, Galvanic spa, LED machines and expensive creams and potions - nothing was going to turn back time for me like surgery. And my thighs were exercised daily with a healthy diet (usually) but I just could not shift the loose skin and excess fat deposits on the outer thighs.

But that was before I started to droop and sag and felt I was looking really tired and frumpy. This seemed to happen to me almost overnight. One minute, OK - next minute, old and getting older by the minute. My confidence was at an all-time low and I was feeling old age staring me down.

Impossible to refuse
So, how to go about this? I thought about going to an Aussie surgeon but the cost was just out of my league. I had heard about overseas surgeries through TV and general conversation with friends and weighed up the pros and cons.

Obviously it was going to be more affordable but would it be safe and would I be looked after post operatively in a strange country where I was not familiar with the customs and had no idea how to get around. After all, you are very vulnerable after major surgery and complications can make the situation life threatening.

I did the usual things - checked out the Gorgeous Getaways website and reviewed the claims they were making but I think what sold me was that the coordinator actually rang and provided advice that was not designed to upsell but to give me a realistic perspective of what could be achieved on an older body. If she had just said 'Yes, we can make you into a beauty queen', I would not have gone

down the path. I decided in about August 2009 and planned holidays from work from mid November 2009.
I told my workmates, family and close friends - after all I was going to come back changed. They would not have appreciated being left out of the loop. There were some people who did not approve but many expressed jealousy and wished me luck.

My eventful path to recovery
Arriving in Malaysia, I was met at the airport and taken to my suite at the Lanson Place. This was four rooms including a kitchenette which was so good because it felt like I had a home away from home to recuperate in. I quickly shopped to stock my fridge and picked up my control garment and medications and then I was whisked away to the hospital to meet and discuss my surgery with Dr Nasir.

I made the mistake of arriving the day before surgery - I should have allowed one more day at least to orient myself and get over jetlag (plus have a look around before I was too sick 'n' sorry for myself to fully appreciate the place).

Having said that, the hospital was almost brand new and very attractive, the rooms and food exceptional and the nurses were very helpful and responded immediately to concerns. My operation was a long one and I did have complications that saw me remain for four days in my hospital room (at no extra cost). I was very ready to leave at the end of these days but I did enjoy their four course cordon bleu meals, I must say.

Once I came back to my rooms at Lanson, I was blessed with Gorgeous Getaways’ lovely Nurse Stella and Case Manager Rosalie who came by daily and were a phone call away looking after me - even when my hematoma (build ups of blood and fluid under the skin) decided to drain at 10pm at night. Funny how these things always happen at night or on weekends, don't they?

As I was quite weak after losing a great deal of blood in the operation, it was a few days before I could get out and about and avail myself of the planned Gorgeous Getaways outings where you get to meet with the rest of the group who are there for surgeries. It was really great to meet up with people in the same boat. I must thank the Gorgeous Getaways team for being so good and putting these on (often free of charge). Lunches, trips to the fish spa and sights of interest were all planned excursions.

I will admit I was a little apprehensive when it came time to catch a plane home. My wounds were still draining, my ankles were more like cankles and my face was still very swollen but I had no choice as I could not change my flight booking. However, the flight passed and I made it home to my home to complete the process of healing.

Even now, 7 weeks from my operation, I hear from Gorgeous Getaways who continue to make sure I am OK. I doubt I would have received such post operative care in Australia, which is a sad thing to say.

Living life to the fullest
I am thrilled with my new look. I have been told I look 35-40 ish and I must say I am getting some admiring glances on the beach where I walk in the morning. I also think I am more confident in my appeal which is a direct result of not feeling quite so ancient. I am planning to join into social clubs now that I feel better about myself. I am newly single and have been putting this off because I felt inadequate. Plus, I feel I can now compete on the job front more readily as I look like I have lots of life in me.

If you are having multiple procedures give yourself more than 10 days to recuperate and try to have a few days before your operations in the country so you can see the sights and get comfortable.

Make sure you have more than one ice pack and that you take with you or buy gauzes and tapes to use if your wound drains unexpectedly.

Assume you will need music and some items that do not require your eyes if you have your eyes lifted as you may find it difficult to see for a while.

I feel Gorgeous Getaways provided complete care from go to whoa. I would have no hesitation recommending them, bearing in mind that all operations come with risks, etc.

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