The Hidden Costs of “Cheap Surgery Holidays”: My Personal Journey and a Safer Path Forward

By Claire Wood

Client Coordinator for Safer Surgery in abroad

When I first travelled to Turkey for cosmetic treatment, I was like many others—hopeful, excited, and enticed by the glowing online packages promising luxury, beauty, and transformation. My plan was simple: have fat injections to rejuvenate my face. But what happened next changed my life—and not in the way I had imagined.

Without clear communication or consent, I awoke from surgery to discover I’d undergone full upper and lower eyelid surgery—something I had not agreed to. The results left me with hollow, misshaped, sunken eyes that have not only altered my appearance but triggered deep emotional distress. The trauma has been so significant that I now believe I suffer from PTSD. The stress, anxiety, and loss of control were overwhelming—and no “holiday package” can ever undo that kind of damage.

Since then, I can’t scroll past the endless ads offering cheap cosmetic holidays without a sick feeling. These deals may look glossy and glamorous, but they can hide serious risks. How many others are waking up to the same trauma I endured, far from home and without proper aftercare?

My experience shook me to my core, but it also inspired a new mission: to protect others from the same fate. I now work as a Client Coordinator, helping people access both cosmetic and medical surgery safely in Turkey—only through fully accredited, internationally recognised hospitals that meet the highest standards.

Not All Clinics Are Created Equal – Why Accreditation Matters

The hospital group I work with is one of the few in Turkey trusted globally for both medical and aesthetic surgery. What sets them apart? They’re accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI)—the gold standard for healthcare quality and patient safety worldwide.

JCI accreditation is not easily earned. It means that a hospital has met over 1,200 rigorous standards covering everything from surgical safety and infection control to ethical practices, transparency, and patient rights. This is the same level of scrutiny used by top hospitals in the UK, US, and Europe, including Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, Great Ormond Street Hospital, and others. Choosing a JCI-accredited hospital means choosing a system that puts patient safety first.

The Memorial Hospital Group was the first in Turkey and the 21st in the world to achieve JCI status—a true pioneer in Turkish healthcare. With 11 hospitals and dozens of specialist centres, they offer advanced cosmetic surgery procedures such as rhinoplasty, facelift, breast augmentation, liposuction, and non-surgical rejuvenation, alongside complex medical surgeries like organ transplants, oncology, and cardiac procedures.

They also hold ISO 15189 certification for their IVF and laboratory services, proving their dedication to precision and excellence in diagnostics.

Cosmetic Dreams Shouldn’t Turn Into Medical Nightmares

Whether you’re seeking a more youthful look or a life-changing medical procedure, you deserve care that is safe, ethical, and professional. Don’t be swayed by low prices wrapped in holiday perks. The real cost of a botched or unsafe surgery is your confidence, your health, and sometimes even your life.

If you’ve had a bad experience like I did, or if you’re considering surgery abroad and want real, safe options—not glossy marketing—please reach out. I’m here to help you make an informed decision and connect you with care you can truly trust.

Your health has no price tag—but the cost when things go wrong is far too high.

Warmly,

Claire Wood

Client Coordinator for Safer Surgery abroad