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QUEENSLAND MEDICAL TOURISM GROUP TOUR SEPTEMBER 2009
Claire Licciardo escorted 12 beautiful ladies on the Restored Beauty Getaways medical group travel to Phuket. The ladies indulged in a range of procedures from breast augmentations, face lifts and dental procedures, with the package, exotic holiday and the high standards of the hospital and surgeons blew everyone’s expectations are 100% happy with their results and the service they recieved!
DAY 1: THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 17
I arrived a day early to meet our September group in Phuket. Deborah had arrived earlier accompanied by her daughter Jacqueline. Exhausted after a long flight, she spent the night in while I caught up with Vanessa and Lisa. They already had their procedures and were thrilled. It was so lovely to meet the ladies and share with them the exhilaration of their dream coming true!
Together we shared the traditional Thai Singa beer, and choose from the delightful menu. It was great to have the opportunity to get to know the ladies, share some stories and have a laugh, some food and a drink before we indulged in some shopping.
DAY 2: FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 18
The next morning we caught up with Deborah and her daughter Stephanie at breakfast and met some other Aussie’s on holidays.
It was great for everyone to meet. I was picked up in the hotel lobby at 8am to accompany the hospital staff and greet Kelly, Simone, Lauren and Charmaine with our wonderful ground-care staff, Maam and New.
We were taken down to the beach where we had lunch before our consultations later in the afternoon with our surgeons.
For each lady, it was their first time in Thailand and for quite a few on this group, their first time abroad. We wandered down the street, stopping to look at a couple of shops for some DVDs and handbags, but no-one was really in much of a mood for shopping yet as everyone was tired after the long flight. The afternoon was spent at the hospital, with the ladies finally meeting their surgeons at their consultations. Wow. It is always such a rewarding moment to play a part in making the dreams of these ladies come true.
After a couple of hours, we were all finished, happy and ready for a quiet night in. The surgeon’s had given the ladies sleeping tablets to ensure a good nights sleep after such a surreal and epic day.
DAY 3: SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 19: SURGERIES BEGIN!
Our day began early with the hospital picking up Lauren, Kelly and Deborah and her daughter Jacqueline in the hotel lobby at 6.30am. There was just enough time for me to quickly grab some croissants for breakfast! Together we went to the ladies rooms and I sat with Kelly and Lauren and held their hand for the emotional support as they had their IV drip inserted. And very quickly, it was time for their procedure.
Jacqueline was only going to stay for the day until her mum came out of surgery, but the plush hospital room the delicious and cheap prices of the menu, free internet access and pay TV, she decided to make the most of this luxurious choice and be there for her mum tonight.
It was around 12pm by this stage and Kelly had already come out of surgery and recovery and was back in her room. I went to visit her. Wow!! She was incredibly lucid and looking and feeling pretty good after surgery. She was very tired and needing to rest and recover. So, after I checked on her, and made sure she had everything she needed and was comfortable, gave her the space and privacy she needed to recovery and promised I would be back first thing in the morning when she feeling better. I waited for Lauren in the ward, as saw her as she approached. She looked incredibly well, was smiling and looking great! I assisted the nurses with getting her comfortable; closing the blinds so she could sleep and generally making sure she had everything she needed at her fingertips while she recovered.
DAY 4: SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 20
I accompanied Simone to the hospital where she met with her surgeon and prepared for surgery. Charmaine was looking fabulous the day after surgery. No pain, no discomfort and she looked and felt great! She kept looking at her breasts to make sure it had happened! I think Lauren looked 100% better after surgery than before. All the last-minute anxiety and very normal nervousness that some people experience before surgery was replaced with a very calm and relaxed demeanor as she relaxed and watched Sex in the City movie. She was experiencing very minimal pain and delighted with the results already. Then we went to see Kelly. She was looking beautiful and very refreshed after her body relaxed, drifting in and out of sleep. The nurses came to find Simone and prepare her medically for surgery, as I went to check on Deborah. She had a facelift, and was experiencing no pain, no headache from the compression bandages; the night after surgery was a bit rough for her, as she experienced vomiting from the morphine and her daughter Stephanie not getting much sleep. Deborah and I, both mothers, joked about her getting her own back because as mothers, we had both experienced this many, many times when our children were growing up. Off the morphine, her spirits were high and physically and mentally she was great post-op. I returned back from the hospital after around in the afternoon. Vanessa and Deborah were both at the hospital seeing their surgeons for their post-operative check-up, and for the first time almost a week after surgery, they got to see the results without their bandages. They were both thrilled. Lisa had seen a surgeon in Australia who referred to her breasts as “torpedoes”. She told her surgeon, Dr Piyapas this, and he very kindly with his trademark sense of humour, said that he will transform her “torpedoes” into beautiful melons, or perhaps coconuts. They were both so happy and beside themselves with the results. In fact, after the follow-up together went into the consultation room together where the ladies took great pleasure in removing their tops and showing off their new “puppies” as Vanessa referred to them. The results of the breast lift, reduction and augmentation for Lisa, and the breast lift and augmentation were stunning. Vanessa whipped out her camera and showed me the before photos, and as I stood there and looked at the results after, I was extraordinary impressed with both ladies “new puppies”. Kelly and Lauren were released from the hospital and returned home around 5pm. Although their bandages could have waited another day to be removed, both ladies were absolutely dying to see their results. As I went into their rooms right next door to mine, both ladies were fixed in front of the mirror, barely able to take their eyes off their new assets. Lauren was “stoked”, and Kelly “very very happy”. Lauren said the last thing she remembers was her surgeon, Dr Jib, holding her hand and reassuring her just before the anesthetic drifted her off to sleep, then waking up in the recovery room. The entire process was so easy and too perfect!
DAY 5: MONDAY SEPTEMBER 21
This morning, Kelly and Lauren were really happy to take it easy and let their bodies recover. Lis and Vanessa were having the day at James Bond Island to soak up the sights if Phuket before they left tomorrow morning. Deborah and Charmaine were discharged form hospital looking and feeling great. Deborah was experiencing very minimal discomfort after her facelift, and there were no complaints about her compression bandage she was wearing. In fact, quite the opposite. She was bruised and swollen, but her mood was euphoric, and in her go-getting style, back in her room, wrapped a scarf around her head to conceal the bandages, grabbed some sunglasses and energetically suggested we all go for a swim! Together with her daughter Jacqueline, Charmaine and I, we sat by the pool, had a swim and indulged in our drink of choice. Charmaine looked amazing. The results of her breast lift and augmentation were superb. So far, she had experienced no pain at all and took great pleasure in showing off her new assets. They looked awesome.
After a couple of hours in the sun and enjoying the gorgeous, yet very homely feeling of out hotel, Deborah was due for her medication and we were all feeling a little weary. We had all lost track of days already…….
DAY 6: TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 22
Breakfast early, as Vanessa, Lisa and I were picked up by the wonderful hospital staff at 7.30am. Vanessa and Lisa were having their final check-ups with their surgeon and then leaving for the airport as they returned home with brand new “puppies”, a suitcase full of designer clothes and handbags and brand new confidence.
Both ladies, so overwhelmed and grateful from the service they recovered from the hospital, bought all the nurses and their surgeon chocolates as they said their goodbye at their final check-up. Vanessa said: “It was a fantastic experience- I wish I had done it sooner! The doctors are fantastic, especially Dr Pongsakorn. And for ladies thinking about having a cosmetic procedure with Restored Beauty Getaways, she has this advice: “Don’t put it off- do it today. The Burasari Hotel and the shopping was fantastic! I would do it again in the blink of an eye.” For Lisa, this was her first time overseas and away from her beloved husband and three children. But, with the results of her brand new breasts, that the ever-so-charming Dr Piyapas had turned into beautiful, high, perky coconuts, her new designer handbags and Dior t-shirts, she almost didn’t want to leave…. Lisa said: “I am very impressed by Restored Beauty Getaways. The service was excellent. The staff at Bangkok Hospital were all so caring, and the service was the best- very, very impressed. My surgeon, Dr Piyapas, was so gentle and informative about my surgery. And the outcome was overwhelming. The detail of his work was so good- he did a great job!” Simone had her procedure yesterday, she as she dozed and gently recovered, she was now ready to be released. She was already so delighted already with the exceptional care she had received at the hospital; it was time to return to our home away from home at our hotel. Simone said: “I found the hospital staff, surgeons, doctors and nurses all to be the most highly professional, kind and courteous that I have ever encountered. I would highly recommend Bangkok Hospital, Phuket to any person in any country. This was outstanding and they should be very proud to be part of this brilliant establishment.” As we were checking out of the hospital, Dr Piyapas again came to say farewell to Simone, and make sure she was feeling okay before he saw her again for a follow-up in a few days. He asked her how she was feeling, and she said a little tired and dizzy- which was what to be expected after such a procedure. And in his trademark sense of humour, her joked and suggested she should have a Red Bull. All the other ladies feeling great, and enjoying the pleasures of Patong. In their recovery, I bumped into Deborah and Jacqueline in the street and they showed off the beautiful treasures they had found, while we wandered around looking at handbags, watches and t-shirts. Charmaine, Kelly and Lauren were off exploring the buzz of the town while Simone recovered and rested in her room while Lauren had her follow-up with Dr Jib. The results were amazing and she was “stoked” with the outcome.
DAY 7: WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 23
We all had breakfast together, and Lauren, Charmaine and I accompanied Simone to the dentist, just a short walk from our hotel.
Simone’s second appointment took around two hours, so while we waited Charmaine and Lauren and I went to Starbucks for an iced coffee and a muffin. The ladies were feeling a little tired form the walking and the heat, so they went back to the hotel for a rest while I grabbed some lunch and browsed the never-ending array of shopping while Kelly had her follow-up at the hospital with Dr Witoon. It was Charmaine’s appointment for dental at 5pm, so Kelly, Lauren, Simone and I all together went along for moral support. Then Kelly and I went for a walk, then a drink and sat with our feet in a fish tank while the fish nibbled on our toes and removed the dead skin. It felt a little funny at first, but was quite relaxing, and met some Us Sailors who were in town for the next few days which was fun……
Day 8: THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 24
The ladies and I met for breakfast at about 7.30am, before Charmaine and Simone and I were picked up at 8.30am for their follow-ups with their surgeons. Now all the surgeries and follow-ups were completely successfully, at last I was feeling like I could relax and unwind a little while I was reassured that everyone was resting and recovering well. Tonight Kelly and I were watching the Muay Thai which we were very much looking forward to getting out and getting “dolled” up. We had a really fun night out!
DAY 9: FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 25
We were all very excited anticipating a surprise visit from Charmaine’s son from Australia, Calvin. He surprised his mum with a last minute decision to come and spend a couple of days with her and be part of this exciting adventure. Avid football fans, Lauren and Charmaine were all very excited to watch the big NRL game both tonight and tomorrow- so the timing of her son’s visit could not have been more perfect. Charmaine had been telling us about her perfect son- we all could not wait to meet him.
So far it had been a whirlwind of surgery, recovery, exploring and shopping, that now everyone has started to unwind. Room service was a hit with the Pad Thai and the deep fried banana with ice-cream a firm favourite!
DAY 10: SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 26
AN early morning with follow-ups at the hospital. Everyone was thrilled with their results! Saturday night in Patong and the US navy were in town as well as Aussies everywhere with both the finals of the AFL and NRL. Charmaine, Calvin and Lauren watched the football at 5.30pm while Kelly, Deborah, Jacqueline and I went out for a night on the town with exciting adventures. Kelly, Deborah, Jacqueline and I had a few drinks at the Aussie Bar and was dragged off into the red light district and the night continued with more drinks, a tattoo…… It was one of those nights! Deborah said: “The trip overall was a great experience. The hospital and the staff were of the highest standard. The other women were fantastic and I loved our adventures together! Overall, I am completely happy with my procedure and the whole trip.”
DAY 11: SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 27
Together the ladies enjoyed a day at the beautiful Phi Phi Island and Pina Colada’s on the beachJ Simone had a half day tour in the mountains riding elephants. Tonight everyone is packing and getting an early night as we are all together meeting for breakfast at 6.30am, all checked out and ready to be picked up at 7.30am for our final check-up at the hospital and flight for Bangkok at 11.25am.
DAY 12: MONDAY SEPTEMBER 27
What a whirlwind and wonderful adventure! We arrived in Bangkok and hot the shops, with our experience reminiscent of scenes out of “Confessions of a Shopahollic!” It was great!
Charmaine said: “Thanks Restored Beauty Getaways! Everything was organised for me without any hassles- all I had to do was pack my suitcase and get myself to the airport. You get to go with a group of ladies which makes it more fun and you get to have new friends. Claire, our hostess from Restored Beauty Getaways was with us all the time which made me feel so relaxed before my surgery.” Kelly said: “Everything was just so great. Claire really does look after everything so well. Everything lived up to my expectations if not more! The care from the doctors and nurses were 5 Star. What an amazing team! Claire does cater for all age groups and personalities and it was good in a group as she is always there in case you need anything!” Simone said: “Restored Beauty Getaways is perfect for all women of all ages, from all backgrounds. If you are young and love to party, Claire is the woman who will party with you! Yet she respects the privacy of those who prefer a more relaxing recovery. For the businesswoman who simply does not have the time or want the hassle of organising ay take all details of travel, Claire will simply take this off your hands and arrange everything. Restored Beauty Getaways is a first-class company that has provided 100% superb service.”