As I sit to reflect on what exactly brought me to have my surgery I can't help but feel overcome by the swelling silence of my big empty house. As my mind plays re-runs of the memories that roam like ghosts through the vacant rooms, my eyes finally settle on the four empty seats at the table around me. My two wonderful sons leaving home had been an enormous adjustment. However, I found comfort in knowing they were in the capable hands of their adoring new wives. The third empty chair marked the loss of my loving husband, who had died within nine months of being diagnosed with terminal cancer. I cared for him until his death on the 15th September 2008 - our 24th wedding anniversary. Now, this date not only represented the day I married my husband, but the day I lost him. And my daughter. The last occupied chair at the table, was to be made vacant by her marriage soon after her father's death.
Once again the memories of my wonderful family have been swallowed up by the silence of this big empty house. Within two years, my life had changed beyond recognition. Within two years, I had changed beyond recognition. I felt such loss and sadness and the only thing I felt could cure the emptiness inside me, was food. So for a long time that's what I did, I ate. I could feel myself getting bigger, my boobs too. But I wasn't used to worrying about myself or worrying about what people thought of me. It took a long time to occur to me that I was the only person I needed to worry about now. So I started to research. I knew I wanted a breast lift and I knew the surgeons here would cost 'an arm and a leg'. I was also under the impression that if I travelled overseas for the surgery, it would literally cost me my own arm or my own leg. Either way, I knew I wanted the surgery I had to lose weight.
My first step to losing weight was a 2 kilometre ocean swim three times a week, with my 73 year old father. Hardly motivating considering I needed flippers to keep up. Though after a while I kicked off the flippers and started to enjoy exercising, losing weight and occasionally beating my Dad. I was beginning to feel small pieces of myself returning and when I looked at the empty chairs around the dining table, little by little I was able to look at them for what they were and not what they represented.
On my drive home from my swim one morning I heard a Somnio International Medical Holidays' advertisement on the radio. Needless to say, I called them the second I got home and Yvonne from Somnio immediately came to see me. Of course, being afflicted with the very serious ailment of technophobia made it difficult for me to communicate and send photos to my surgeons. Thankfully Yvonne took care of everything. She organised the whole trip, from surgeons to accommodation, while I concentrated on reaching my goal weight for the surgery. After a few months everything was organised and my departure date was arriving fast. I was eight kilos lighter, not my goal weight, but fighting fit and ready to embark on the journey that would change my life.
On my arrival to Phuket our group was greeted by two lovely girls, who accompanied us to the hospital for our respective medical checks and examinations. Travelling in a group was a great experience and eased my nerves having people around me that were going through the same thing I was. Chatting about expectations with the other patients made me think how removing the reminiscence of my three children might make me feel and at first I was extremely nervous. But after talking to my lovely Doctor, I was assured that a full breast lift and reduction was the logical step in getting my feelings off my chest - pardon the pun.
After my examination I was given the all clear and told I was fit and healthy for surgery. Five hours later I awoke to see my new, beautiful, perky breasts in my private two room suite. After two nights in my private room I then returned to the resort to rest. I was ecstatic, I could not believe how quickly everything had been organised and how comfortable everyone had made me feel. Recovery was a breeze, with no pain whatsoever, I was waited on hand and foot in the Resort and had no need to lift a finger, which I would have had to do at home. All the while, being carefully looked after by Virginia and Yvonne. And to all these girls I cannot thank enough, along with the other wonderful people involved in the process. I thank my Doctor and his team everyday for my new look and my new life.
I have continued to lose weight, and shop for wonderful new clothes. I feel that I am on the road to recovery, I know my husband would have enjoyed my new look. My kids do and my daughter took me shopping as soon as I came back. This experience has been one that I will never forget. The confidence that I have gained and the friends I have made are ones that will fuel a positive outlook on my life.
This surgery has spelt the beginning of the rest of my life. Somnio, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Nicole x
Once again the memories of my wonderful family have been swallowed up by the silence of this big empty house. Within two years, my life had changed beyond recognition. Within two years, I had changed beyond recognition. I felt such loss and sadness and the only thing I felt could cure the emptiness inside me, was food. So for a long time that's what I did, I ate. I could feel myself getting bigger, my boobs too. But I wasn't used to worrying about myself or worrying about what people thought of me. It took a long time to occur to me that I was the only person I needed to worry about now. So I started to research. I knew I wanted a breast lift and I knew the surgeons here would cost 'an arm and a leg'. I was also under the impression that if I travelled overseas for the surgery, it would literally cost me my own arm or my own leg. Either way, I knew I wanted the surgery I had to lose weight.
My first step to losing weight was a 2 kilometre ocean swim three times a week, with my 73 year old father. Hardly motivating considering I needed flippers to keep up. Though after a while I kicked off the flippers and started to enjoy exercising, losing weight and occasionally beating my Dad. I was beginning to feel small pieces of myself returning and when I looked at the empty chairs around the dining table, little by little I was able to look at them for what they were and not what they represented.
On my drive home from my swim one morning I heard a Somnio International Medical Holidays' advertisement on the radio. Needless to say, I called them the second I got home and Yvonne from Somnio immediately came to see me. Of course, being afflicted with the very serious ailment of technophobia made it difficult for me to communicate and send photos to my surgeons. Thankfully Yvonne took care of everything. She organised the whole trip, from surgeons to accommodation, while I concentrated on reaching my goal weight for the surgery. After a few months everything was organised and my departure date was arriving fast. I was eight kilos lighter, not my goal weight, but fighting fit and ready to embark on the journey that would change my life.
On my arrival to Phuket our group was greeted by two lovely girls, who accompanied us to the hospital for our respective medical checks and examinations. Travelling in a group was a great experience and eased my nerves having people around me that were going through the same thing I was. Chatting about expectations with the other patients made me think how removing the reminiscence of my three children might make me feel and at first I was extremely nervous. But after talking to my lovely Doctor, I was assured that a full breast lift and reduction was the logical step in getting my feelings off my chest - pardon the pun.
After my examination I was given the all clear and told I was fit and healthy for surgery. Five hours later I awoke to see my new, beautiful, perky breasts in my private two room suite. After two nights in my private room I then returned to the resort to rest. I was ecstatic, I could not believe how quickly everything had been organised and how comfortable everyone had made me feel. Recovery was a breeze, with no pain whatsoever, I was waited on hand and foot in the Resort and had no need to lift a finger, which I would have had to do at home. All the while, being carefully looked after by Virginia and Yvonne. And to all these girls I cannot thank enough, along with the other wonderful people involved in the process. I thank my Doctor and his team everyday for my new look and my new life.
I have continued to lose weight, and shop for wonderful new clothes. I feel that I am on the road to recovery, I know my husband would have enjoyed my new look. My kids do and my daughter took me shopping as soon as I came back. This experience has been one that I will never forget. The confidence that I have gained and the friends I have made are ones that will fuel a positive outlook on my life.
This surgery has spelt the beginning of the rest of my life. Somnio, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Nicole x
