After such bad press surrounding the British travelling to places like Poland and Thailand for surgery, I was more than a little nervous as I sat on a plane bound for Belgrade for my first ever cosmetic surgery, a tummy tuck.
At 44 years old, having given birth to three children by two caesareans and after a sterilisation, I had more than my fair share of battle scars on my tummy.Stretch marks and loose skin wobbling around my front affected everything I did, from dressing the way I truly wanted to, to feeling inhibited and self-conscious in the bedroom.
I wore loose, over-sized tops, flared un-tailored dresses, positively no belts and dark colours as standard.
No matter how I dieted, the loose skin that hung around me like a skirt refused to shift but after seeing how good some of my clients looked after tummy tuck surgery, I wanted that feeling and image for myself.
The only problem was cash. As a single parent, with a mortgage, I knew it was not going to be feasible for me to have the surgery in the UK. The best quote for what I dreamed of to improve myself in Britain was £6,800.
Impossible.
After weeks and weeks of trying to save while grilling clients who were happy to discuss their surgery, I fell upon someone who wholeheartedly recommended ‘Beauty Surgeons Abroad”. I drove out, down to London to talk to the actual surgeon, a lady, who was to go on to perform my surgery.
She talked to me, carefully examined me and put my mind totally at rest with her professionalism and genuinely caring manner.
I saw many impressive examples of her work, photographs of the hospital and she gave me reassurances that I would have absolute support with flights and the hospital transfers to the hospital once I landed in Belgrade.
The price of my surgery was to include liposuction from each hip to balance and enhance the tummy tuck. It was estimated ‘all in’ with flights to be less then half the price I would have had to pay in Britain for exactly the same qualified surgery in Belgrade.
I was more than pleased with the way my consultation was honestly and openly conducted. I relaxed as we discussed the procedures, the risks, and the recovery times.
There was no heavy sales pitch, no incentives, just an air of professional people who cared passionately about their work.
A copy of my medical record was sent direct from my UK Doctor ’s surgery by Email before I travelled.
The plane travel was effortless because all I had was hand baggage. It was just like like catching a bus.
My tummy tuck required a 4 night stay at the hospital and to save time, the surgery was to take place the same day I travelled, which was great because I was nervous and excited all at the same time.
On my arrival at Belgrade airport, I was met by a friendly English speaking driver. He was holding a large card bearing my name. He whisked me efficiently into a mini-bus and gave me an informative review of Belgrade history, pointing out famous landmarks as we made the short journey to the hospital.
At the hospital reception, I was greeted by the hospital manager who showed me to my room which had exactly the same layout and cleanliness as any UK hospital private room with its colour TV, air conditioning and fully uniformed nursing staff confidently going about their tasks.
My surgeon hugged me and after taking some ‘before’ photos, I was introduced to the anaesthetist who performed an ECG, took blood samples and blood pressure readings before asking a lot of medical questions as he prepared me for surgery.
I was impressed by the utter smoothness and professionalism of my whole experience The staff seemed, relaxed and genuinely happy around me and my nervousness faded into a childish keenness to get on and get my new tummy.
Awaking from the surgery, I found myself safe back in my own room with the nurses tending to my bed. I was wearing an elasticated corset around my midriff and knee length elasticated pantaloons for support.
My surgeon appeared to reassure me that the operation had gone really well. She told me how much weight she had taken from my tummy and how much fat she had sucked away from my hips.
I felt absolutely euphoric.
Recovery was pleasant over the following days, with a nurse on-hand by buzzer to bring me drinks and food as I felt like it.
I was kept comfortable and clean and the nurses laughed along with me as daily I learned to walk and stand again with confidence.
My last morning at the hospital was a flurry of tearful goodbyes. I felt like I was leaving family, people who really cared about what they were doing in a calm and capable way.
Aftercare was arranged in my home town, stitches were removed. Within weeks I was wearing jeans, fitted skirts and crop tops.
I was so satisfied with my experience that I decided to contact my surgeon after I’d fully recovered to offer to write this testimonial.
I am also more than happy to take calls from anyone thinking of travelling to Belgrade who has any questions about the trip.
Do consider this as an affordable alternative to surgery in the UK. It’s the best feeling ever.
The trip, the anticipation and the fabulous results have boosted my confidence in so many ways.
You will be in excellent hands, literally.
Diane Woollaston
