Last year I read a magazine article about 4 women going to Phuket for surgery, the woman who had had a tummy tuck looked fantastic, so I decided to research it more. I contacted quite a few overseas medical providers and also considered countries other than Thailand. After contacting the various providers, I realised that Beautiful Escapes was the only one actually based in New Zealand. The others merely appeared to be here, with NZ numbers that were serviced from overseas.
Adding that to the fact that Beautiful Escapes were also able to arrange all of flights and accommodation etc., I decided they were the only provider I could really rely on to see me through my new adventure especially as I’d opted to go on my own.
Within a few weeks of choosing Beautiful Escapes , they had guided me through the whole process and I was on a flight to Phuket to have my ‘apron’ removed !
The whole experience from start to finish was just amazing – so well planned and executed that travelling on my own was a breeze. I was picked up from Phuket airport at midnight as planned and whisked off to my hotel. I was so glad to see my VIP driver there waiting for me, given it was midnight when I arrived. Checking in at the IBIS hotel in Patong was also stress-free.
The next day I was collected by my driver and taken to the hospital for my consultation and pre-surgery tests. My first impression of the hospital was that if it wasn’t for the signage at the entrance to the hospital, I would’ve thought I was in a 4-star hotel. I was welcomed personally on entry before being taken up to meet my surgeon Dr Pongaskorn. We discussed at length my surgery for an extended tummy tuck and I soon realised I was in the hands of a highly qualified, very experienced, caring medical professional.
My pre-surgery tests also went well and I was shown to my room. I was told that although I had booked a standard room at the hospital, I would be given the Presidential suite at no extra cost merely because it was available. Of course I was rapt !
The nurses were amazing-nothing was too much bother and all so professional. It made any pre-surgery anxiety melt away, knowing that I was in the care of caring, professional people. Being treated like a guest rather than a patient sure helped also.
The next day I had my surgery which went well and I was back in my luxury room before I knew it. I can’t really remember the pain as it was so well managed through medication. I was given my own physiotherapist and the nursing staff and my surgeon were on hand at all times monitoring my progress.
I had my laptop so I could keep in touch with my family without having to leave my bed. All the staff spoke English plus there were 3 or so English-speaking channels I could view on TV so my needs were well-catered for.
The menu catered for both western and Thai tastes and everything was so fresh and delicious.
My in-hospital recovery was quick and by the end of the week I was ready to leave the hospital and the friends I had made there, ready for my next exciting leg of my adventure which was my hotel in Patong. Again I was escorted there by my VIP driver to the most amazing 4-star accommodation at Phuket Gracelands Resort and Spa, again sumptuous in it’s decor and friendly staff.
First thing I did was to take a leisurely walk along Patong Beach which was straight across the road from my hotel.
During that second week, I enjoyed the wonderful sights of Phuket and the superb shopping and massages etc. I had of course by now – fallen in love with Phuket and it’s wonderful people !
For my medical follow-ups, I was always collected by my VIP driver and taken to the hospital for my surgeon and/or nursing staff to check on my progress and change my dressings etc.
At the very end of my two weeks, I was given a final check-up at the hospital but by then I felt well-healed. I truly loved my new tummy which made me feel like a million dollars.
My only regret is that I did not know about Beautiful Escapes earlier . I would have saved several thousand more dollars on my breast implants, had surgery in a hospital far superior to the one in Hamilton and uncompromising care and professionalism that is only dreamed about in NZ
So, huge thanks to Beautiful Escapes for organising the trip of a lifetime for me, for checking on me throughout and for making sure I had the most stress-free, life-changing experience ever !
Thanks to the truly amazing staff at the hospital especially the nurses and last but by no means least my wonderful surgeon Dr Pongsatorn.
S. O . Hamilton
New Zealand
Dr Pongsatorn – Extended Tummy Tuck + VASER liposuction to abdomen and waist
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