Full Face

Created on 10th July 2009

Jeanette Drinkall decided to go abroad for a complete transformation when she couldn't face looking in the mirror any longer

Treatment: Full facelift, neck lift, upper and lower eye bag removal and fat grafts
Name: Jeanette Drinkall
Age: 53
Occupation: Hotel accounts manager

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.

CS&AM