Press Releases
This section is dedicated to articles published in the UK Press about our practice in Cyrpus and patients experiences.
Art Meets Science - Full Face
Coemstic Surgery Today
Jeanette Drinkall decided to go abroad for a complete transformation when she couldn't face looking in the mirror any longer.
What prompted you to have the treatment?
Like a lot of women, I've always taken a great deal of care over my appearance. I don't smoke, I look after my skin and I try to get to the gym as often as possible. Then four years ago at the age of 49, I suddenly began to age rapidly. I looked constantly exhausted and my neck and cheeks were visibly starting to sag.
I started to avoid looking in the mirror. I'd always enjoyed wearing make-up but eyeshadow started to rest in the creases on my eyelids and they were so baggy I had to hold them back in order to put on mascara.
I was already having Botox injections in an attempt to stave off the signs of ageing but they were expensive as I needed a top up every six months. I began to think it might make more sense to find a more permanent solution.
Who carried out the procedure and what was their opinion at the consultation?
I realised I'd need a complete makeover, which would include a full facelift, neck lift and upper and lower eye bag removal, coupled with fat grafts to help plump out my cheeks plus a chemical peel. After seeing three surgeons in the UK, I had a consultation with Dr Stavros Eleftheriou of Surgical Art in Cyprus.
Initially, I felt unsure about going abroad for surgery but as soon as I met Dr Eleftheriou, any fears dissolved immediately. I felt so at ease with this quietly confident surgeon, especially as he was not at all pushy and answered all my questions with patience. I knew straightaway that I could put my trust in him.
How was the experience?I was in theatre for six hours and when I came round from the anaesthetic, my face felt very tender and swollen but the pain wasn't nearly as bad as I'd been expecting. The bandages came off the next day and at first I was too afraid to look at my new face in case I was disappointed.
It was a couple of days before I dared look in the mirror and although I was bruised, the results were amazing. For the first time in years, I could see my eyelashes and my skin looked so fresh and smooth that I looked and felt at least ten years younger.
Are you happy with the treatment?
When I flew home seven days after the operation, everyone kept telling me how fantastic I looked and after feeling so low for so long, I lapped up all their compliments.
I've regained all the confidence I'd lost over the past few years and I'm having a great time socialising again. I don't just look better, my whole attitude to life has changed. Before I had the operation, I'd resigned myself to getting older. Now I'm happier than I have been in years and am embracing the future.
Why I sold my home for a facelift
by Kelly Strange
Published: 2 March 2009
... In July 2007 I put my house up for sale, downgrading to a new-build, one-bedroom house which left me with £15,000. Once I'd settled into my new home, I started looking into hospitals abroad and, with Linda's advice, I decided to travel to Cyprus for the surgery.
For me it was a real bonus being able to combine the operation with a holiday in the sun and on the September 30 last year I flew out to Larnaca to begin my transformation.
Although I'd been so sure of my decision to have surgery, the nerves set in as soon as I arrived in Cyprus and at the last minute I almost changed my mind. Fortunately my surgeon was very kind and reassuring and in spite of my fears, I knew that I was in safe hands. I decided to go ahead with the operation.
I was in theatre for 6 hours and when I came round from the anaesthetic, my face felt very tender and swollen but the pain wasn't nearly as bad as I'd been expecting. The bandages came off the next day and at first I was too afraid to look at my new face in case I was disappointed.
It was a couple of days before I dared look in the mirror and although I was bruised, the results were amazing. For the first time in years, I could see my eyelashes and my skin looked so fresh and smooth that I looked and felt at least 10 years younger.
Over the next week I relaxed by the hotel pool and made the most of my time in the sun. When I flew home 7 days after the operation, everyone kept telling me how fantastic I looked and after feeling so low for so long, I lapped up all their compliments.
It's now 5 months since I went to Cyprus and I don't regret my decision. I've regained all the confidence I'd lost over the past few years and I'm having a great time socialising again. I don't just look better, my whole attitude to life has changed. Before I had the operation, I'd resigned myself to getting older. Now I'm happier than I have been in years and am embracing the future.
Of course I know some people will think I am crazy, self centred and vain but I don't really care. Not everyone would agree with my decision to sell my home to finance my make-over but for me it was the right thing to do. After all, what's the point of having a wonderful home if you can't face looking in the mirror? ...
I wouldn't wed until
I'd spent £10k on surgery
by Samantha Wostear
Published: 19 Nov 2008
WHEN Jane Major kept turning down marriage proposals, it wasn’t because they were from the wrong man. It was because SHE felt like the wrong woman. After giving birth to four boys, the 45-year-old despised her flabby belly and saggy boobs. And her premature wrinkles made her feel old and past it.
Jane says: “I still wasn’t happy with my face so I couldn’t think about looking at any dresses or anything. Instead, I got straight on the phone to organise some more plastic surgery.”
This time Jane travelled 1,000 miles to Cyprus to see a surgeon who specialised in facelifts. She spent £4,500 on a mini facelift and had the bags under her eyes removed, a chemical peel and liposuction under her chin. On the 1,000-mile return flight, she knew she was at last ready to be a bride.
Jane and Paul have set a date for June next year and will say their vows in front of 50 family and friends at Sutton Register Office. Jane adds: “After all these years, I can’t wait to marry Paul. Surgery has played such a big part in my wedding preparations that I’m thinking of going back to Belgium for my hen weekend so I can have some Botox and teeth whitening. “I’ve spoken to the company and they said they’d be delighted to organise it for me. In fact, I’ve got to know them so well they’re coming to the wedding!”
Paul, 49, says: “I always knew the day would come when she’d say yes. I couldn’t understand why she wanted all that surgery but I supported her decisions. “And I admit she looks great — just like she did when we met 16 years ago!”
From 'turkey neck' to sexy chick
by Kelly Strange
Published: 27 Nov 2006
THIS will be Thelma Steven's first Christmas as a sexy chick after she splurged £4,000 on surgery to banish her hated "turkey neck".
Thelma was sick of being compared to everyone's favourite festive bird. Now after jetting to Cyprus for a neck and facelift, she's planning her best Christmas ever.
Thelma, 50, says: "I always hated Christmas and dreaded anyone cracking a joke about me looking like the turkey. This year there will only be one wrinkly bird in the house at Christmas ? and it won't be me. I've bought a sexy dress and I can't wait to show off the new me."
Divorced grandmother Thelma had been happy with her looks until she hit her 40s and things started heading south. She says: "I tried face cream after face cream but nothing worked."
As her face sagged so did her confidence. She says: "I was sure people were looking at my neck, so I wore scarves to hide it." Desperate to banish her "bird's wattle", Thelma started a facelift fund, saving spare cash in a pot to pay for the op. Six years without a sniff of romance passed before Thelma, of Romsey, Hants, plucked up the courage to see a surgeon in the UK. She says: "When he told me it would cost £6,000 I thought I'd have to live with my neck for ever."
But a few months later when kitchen designer Thelma had a picture taken for her work website, she was so horrified with the way she looked she knew she had to act. She says: "I was about to turn 50 and I couldn't bear the thought of another Christmas with this neck. I needed to start living again." Thelma remembered reading an article about a company that arranged cut-price surgery abroad and contacted them for information. She says: "I picked Cyprus because it's a short flight but nice and warm and the hospital looked immaculate in the pictures."
Thelma saw the surgeon, Dr Stavros Eleftheriou, in the UK for a consultation a few weeks later. She says: "As soon as he started talking about what he could do to my neck I knew I would go for it. "The total cost including Botox to get rid of my wrinkles and a chemical face peel to smooth out my skin was £4,000 so I called it a combined Christmas present and early birthday present for myself." Flights and hotel accommodation added a further £300. Thelma flew to Cyprus on November 7 this year and had the surgery the following day.
She says: "When I came round I could see my neck looked firmer straight away. There was no pain. I was sitting up asking for a tea."
