Forget global. Think local… The upside down world of medical tourism
Forget global. Think local… The upside down world of medical tourism.
Secret Surgery for Scotland’s Yummy Mummies
Scots firm Secret Surgery has enjoyed a prolific first year of business. The cosmetic surgery holiday specialists, who turned one in November, have recently expanded their services north of the border after a flurry of interest from Scottish women. Founded by Dumbarton businesswoman Angela Chouaib, Secret Surgery has gone from strength to strength over the past 12 months, attracting new clients and earning awards along the way.
The firm has already helped over 200 women experience surgery abroad in a state-of-the-art Polish Hospital. Many of Secret Surgery’s clients had yearned to have cosmetic procedures for some time, but were unable to, often due to the prohibitive cost. After being told that she must wait two years for plastic surgery on the NHS, Angela decided to launch Secret Surgery.
She spent Nine months researching surgery options in the UK and abroad, before discovering a Hospital in Poland she felt was suitable. Her initial concerns about foreign surgery, compounded by scant client reviews and the stigma associated with Eastern European treatment, were soon assuaged.
In April of 2010, she underwent a tummy tuck, and was so satisfied with the service she returned a month later for a breast reduction and uplift. One of Secret Surgery’s most popular packages is their mummy makeovers. Angela explains: “A typical mummy makeover package holiday costs £2,810 all inclusive for a tummy tuck, compared to £6,000 in the UK.” Other popular procedures with Secret Surgery include Vaser Liposuction thigh, arm and face lifts along with breast augmentation.
The company regularly hosts meetings and discussion groups across the country, designed to assist women – and men – who are interested in learning more about cosmetic procedures.
The firm have now expanded their operations in Scotland, with Nicola Connolly becoming the Scottish representative. Based in Dumbarton, Nicola’s role is to offer emotional, moral support as well as advise on all aspects of surgery abroad and to answer questions regarding Secret Surgery.
Angela Chouaib says: “I’m delighted to be welcoming Nicola, a fellow Scotswoman, into the Secret Surgery fold. Nicola and I are both mothers and understand the pressures of raising a family while still wanting to look and feel good.
Secret Surgery has helped me achieve that, and we look forward to helping many more women experience Harley Street standards without the price tag!”
For more information on Secret Surgery, visit www.SecretSurgery.co.uk or email Nicola Connolly at Nicola@SecretSurgery.co.uk
The Rise of the Cosmetically Enhanced Man
Poor men – they get a rough deal really. We make fun of them for their man bellies, their balding heads and, worse of all, their moobs. We subject them to the kind of comments you wouldn’t get away with saying to a lady – unless you wanted a slap that is. With all that ripping, it’s little wonder, then, that there’s been a 7% increase in the number of men seeking cosmetic surgery in the UK.
Traditionally a female domain, cosmetic surgery is largely sought after by women wanting to repel the signs of ageing through facelifts, losing fat through liposuction and increasing their bust size through implants. These are all things that men get self-conscious about too however. Well, perhaps not increasing their bust size… (more…)
Secret Surgery and Money Solutions UK
There are a number of thoughts that will be going through your head when you consider electing for cosmetic surgery.
Are you choosing the right clinic? Have you considered all the options? Can you afford it?
This last question is, undoubtedly, one that troubles many patients. Yes, many surgical procedures are available on the NHS – gastric bands and breast reductions are just two of them – but they’re only available to those deemed ‘suitable candidates’. Because of this, many of us are unable to remedy these hang-ups; we cannot achieve something we’ve dreamed of achieving for years. For those of us who don’t comply with the NHS criteria, there’s no other option than contacting a private clinic.
Of course, private surgery in the UK is more expensive than anywhere else in the world. Costs can be substantial, even for the most common procedures. That’s why many patients consider travelling to clinics abroad – they want the very best cosmetic surgery, without having to take out a bank loan. But surgery is never cheap – if it is, you’re putting yourself in danger. (more…)
Bruce’s Almighty Mishap
You know how it is; you see a celebrity at an event with a bit of bruising and some fresh scarring and you instantly think ‘cosmetic surgery’. So when surgery junkie Bruce Jenner appeared at the LA Stables Centre last month spotting some curious-looking bruises on his face, we all instantly presumed he’d gone under the knife again.
The former gold medal-winning athlete has always been open about his plastic surgery – a rather refreshing sentiment in the world of showbiz. Although when you’re married to the fabulous Kris Jenner and a star on hit US reality TV show Keeping up with the Kardashians, trying to keep your private life under wraps must be a tad impossible – as must competing with some of the seriously beautiful ladies on the show. (more…)
Secret Surgery for Men?
You know what men are like; when it comes to body image and feelings, they clamp up quicker than you can say “moob”. Unlike the fairer sex, you’ll never catch men around the water cooler at the gym discussing whether they fancy a bit of a nip and tuck or a few botox injections – if they did they’d be taunted by their macho mates for years to come.
No, poor men get the rough end of the stick when it comes to looking good. Not only are they just as insecure as women, confiding in friends is generally off-limits and even the idea of visiting a cosmetic surgeon could seem out of the question. But that needn’t be the case! (more…)
Wild Workouts To Keep You Motivated & Boost Your Sex Life!
Switch your exercise routine and try a fun and interesting workout. From Dance to Hot Yoga these unusual fitness options you will rev up your workout plan and stay motivated!
It is reported that the way you function sexually can be affected by general health, and the more you can do to improve your health by taking good care of yourself, the better your sex life can be.
Beware Fat Danger Zone Alert!
At times it's easy to overeat and that's when you will pack on pounds.
No matter how serious you are about keeping a watchful eye on your weight, practicing portion control, and maintaining good eating habits, it’s easy to let circumstances around you really test your willpower.
Here are some common “danger zones” to watch out for when you’re trying to stick to a healthy, low-calorie eating plan.
Plastic surgery can be my answer!!
After a couple of nights feeling sorry for myself and getting rejected from more job applications I started to truly consider my hideousness. My self-esteem hit the ultimate low. I basically had a serious melt down that included me weeping on my living room floor in the middle of the night. I couldn't control my crying and simply started to pray.
Heartless Cosmetic Surgeons
We all remember that scene from Sex and the City where Samantha visits a cosmetic surgeon looking for breast implants – the one thing she thinks she needs to perfect her body. Five minutes in his office and he’s penned her entire body in red showing the areas he thinks she needs work done. Not very flattering is it?
Sadly this isn’t a ‘gag’ kept for sassy American TV shows, for fans of hit UK show Geordie Shores will know just how harsh some cosmetic surgeons can be. While doing research for her new MTV show Get Thin or Die Trying, Sophie Kasaei visited a plastic surgeon to ask him about the extremes the people in UK go to in their battle to lose weight. What she didn’t expect was for said medical professional to point out so many flaws in her body – an ordeal that was obviously very upsetting for the star. (more…)
Good Secret Surgery
In our most recent blog, we were pleased to announce our Customer Service 2011 Award from WhatClinic.com. Before that, we were thrilled to become the second top-rated agency on internationally acclaimed website TreatmentAbroad.com. And now, we’ve got even more exciting news: Secret Surgery has just become part of the Good Surgeon Guide.
The Good Surgeon Guide is one of the best websites for finding the right doctor for a cosmetic procedure. This is because their guide is entirely unbiased, as is their directory – the site only show cosmetic doctors, surgeons, dentists and nurses who are the most active in the cosmetic community. In other words, only those with the best reviews can make it onto the exclusive guide – and we did! It’s safe to say that we’re pleased to be among such acclaimed medical practitioners. (more…)
Quick Fix Beauty – An interview with Wojciech Waclawowicz MD
Can modern medicine offer a ‘quick solution’ which won’t interfere with our short-term plans and allow for enjoying the changes in the future?
Wojciech Wacłowicz MD
Doctor Wojciech Wacłowicz:
It’s a difficult problem, since – when planning changes in our appearance – we ought to look at ourselves in perspective. Quick decisions and sudden acts can complicate the therapy. Just like with a house renovation – we don’t do anything randomly, but at each stage we plan the next one.
When thinking of beauty improvement, we should take into account all the elements that influence it. Our appearance is a product of many elements: skin type, face shape, shape and placement of the nose, eyes and lips and all the changes that come with aging, like wrinkles. To improve one’s appearance one can use cosmetic treatments, non-invasive surgery or typical plastic surgery. (more…)
Secret Surgery Receives Customer Service Award
Here at Secret Surgery, we’ve got some very good news to share.
We’re pleased to announce that we’ve qualified for the 2011 Customer Service Award from WhatClinic.com.
It would be fair to say we’re delighted with this accolade. The award is only given to clinics that demonstrate exceptional professionalism in dealing with and replying to patient enquiries made through WhatClinic.com.
So, without further ado, we can now proudly display our award for the world to see. (more…)
Should Surgery Become Secret?
After the recent PIP implant scare, the debate continues as to whether cosmetic surgery should be advertised. A government review of the trade will bring more answers to light later this year, and may see the introduction of a breast implant registry.
The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) has been one of the most vocal bodies on the matter. They have called for increased regulation of the ‘cowboy’ cosmetic market, and ‘are delighted with the upcoming inquiry’. President of BAAPS, Fazel Fatah, explained the association’s stance: ‘aggressive marketing gimmicks…not only trivialise surgery but endanger the patient.’ This can be observed, he says, in the ‘unrealistic expectations set by reality shows’ and ‘crass competition prizes promising mummy makeovers.’
Indeed, ‘in no other area of surgery would one encounter Christmas vouchers and two-for-one offers – the pendulum has swung too far, and it is time for change.’
It is yet to be seen whether the marketing of cosmetic surgery will be curtailed or regulated. It’s certainly a controversial topic, and one that will affect the trade directly. Of course, unrealistic expectations brought on by inaccurate marketing can only end badly. Yet what of the advertisements that don’t sensationalise the trade? (more…)
