A British woman and her best friend who traveled to Turkey for plastic surgery have documented their “exceptionally positive” plastic surgery trip to Turkey after getting a three-surgery package.
Sharon Simon, 53, from Astley, and her good friend Paul Darwell, 68, from Hale, flew from Manchester to Istanbul for neck, lower face and upper eyelid surgery.
The couple posted videos before, during and after their trip on TikTok to help other people who are considering traveling abroad for plastic surgery.
‘I have known Paul for over two decades. “We met at work and the connection was further solidified because my closest friend is married to Paul’s brother,” Sharon said.
‘The decision to consider cosmetic surgery in Istanbul was quite practical. After undergoing eyelid surgery in the UK, which was quite expensive, Paul and I started looking at more affordable options.
Sharon Simon, 53, (left) from Astley, and her good friend Paul Darwell, (right), 68, from Hale, flew from Manchester to Istanbul for neck, lower face and upper eyelid surgery.
The friends, in the photo, after the operation. The two posted videos before, during and after their trip on TikTok to help other people who are considering traveling abroad for plastic surgery.
‘He was interested in an operation for his neck, but the quotes we received were exorbitant.
‘I turned to TikTok to do my research and found testimonials, particularly from a woman called Nina, who praised her surgeon and the clinic. This led us to request a quote and ultimately choose Istanbul for our procedures.’
Initially, the couple focused solely on upper eyelid surgery, but Sharon knew she might want to undergo more procedures down the road.
Paul was primarily interested in a neck lift, but after seeing various combinations of neck, face and eyelid surgeries on social media, they both considered a broader range of procedures.
Sharon explained that her research process was exhaustive. Paul first consulted with Sharon’s surgeon in the UK and explored another clinic that offered a significantly lower price.
However, the prospect of undergoing such lengthy procedures under local anesthesia was not appealing, especially given some negative reviews.
The two eventually decided on MCAN Health in Istanbul, encouraged by positive reviews of the clinic and after Sharon had a reassuring conversation with another woman who had gone to the clinic about her experience.
‘Paul and I underwent the same procedure and paid £5,000 each. It was a complete package,’ Sharon recalled.
Paul, pictured, was looking to have neck surgery before realizing the high cost of the procedure in the UK.
Both Sharon and Paul (pictured) became interested in a package after seeing various combinations of neck, face and eyelid surgeries on social media.
Paul during his surgery process. The pair paid £5,000 each to have various procedures done on their faces.
‘Although it was scary to go abroad for surgery, honestly, we were more worried about each other than ourselves. Being in Turkey, far from home, the thought of one of us having serious problems during recovery, with no friends or family nearby, was quite daunting.’
Sharon continued: ‘The medical team and facilities in Istanbul were top notch. Despite having different surgeons and being in different hospitals, we both had an exceptionally positive experience.’
Sharon was eager to document her surgical experience on TikTok, providing updates before the procedure, the same day, and surprisingly, just three hours after the operation.
His motivation was twofold: to keep friends and family informed and to continue the recovery process.
As Sharon delved deeper into TikTok, she became captivated by the sense of community and narratives of other users going through similar experiences.
Sharon, pictured after the operation, said: “The medical team and facilities in Istanbul were top-notch. Despite having different surgeons and being in different hospitals, we both had an exceptionally positive experience.”
Sharon, 53, showed her followers before, during and after her operations. In the photo after her procedure.
Sharon, after her operation, said that having her friend by her side “made the whole process so much easier, knowing that we were together and experiencing the same things.”
Reflecting on her trip, Sharon (pictured after her surgery) said she wouldn’t change anything except her choice to stay at a different hotel for comfort during recovery.
Witnessing the interactions and consultations on these trips, it seemed instinctive to share his story in real time.
“I was blown away by the reaction and overwhelmingly positive vibes from almost everyone who followed my journey,” Sharon noted.
‘The encouragement and genuinely kind words were comforting. Not to mention the hundreds of questions that kept me busy during those first six days after the operation, when I was locked in my room all day.’
The most challenging part of recovery? Having to wear a headband and trying to find a comfortable way to sleep.
Surprisingly, everything else was relatively calm. ‘Paul feels fantastic; Getting rid of his ‘turkey neck’ has been a big boost for him, and my results are improving too, although my recovery has been a little slower than his.
“We’re only four weeks post-op, so it’s still early,” Sharon said. ‘Going through this with Paul was invaluable. I can’t emphasize enough how much it helps to have a surgery buddy. He made the whole process so much easier, knowing that we were in this together and experiencing the same things.”
Reflecting on their trip, Sharon remembered that she wouldn’t change a thing except if they chose to stay at a different hotel for comfort during recovery, a luxury Sharon acknowledges not everyone can afford.
Looking ahead, Paul is considering pectoral implants due to a previous failed surgery in the UK, and Sharon is contemplating an upgrade from a previous breast augmentation she had years ago.
Sharon said her friend Paul’s results, pictured left, are extraordinary, especially on his “turkey neck”, which has given him a real “boost”.
Sharon after returning from her surgery. Looking ahead, she said she is contemplating an upgrade from a previous breast augmentation she had years ago.
Sharon, left, wanted to emphasize to her followers the importance of researching procedures and finding the right surgeon.
Future procedures are likely to take place overseas, with plans to continue sharing updates with her TikTok followers.
‘Many of my followers who are considering having plastic surgery abroad ask me for advice on possible red flags to look out for and how to choose the right surgeon.
‘I always emphasize the importance of seeking recommendations and communicating directly with those who have experienced the procedure firsthand. Make sure you communicate everything in advance to your coordinator and then check everything again.
‘I had to change surgeons three days before leaving the UK because they hadn’t told him I was taking HRT tablets.
‘Their decision was not to operate on any woman who had not stopped their HRT at least six weeks previously.
“I spent those three days researching MCAN’s proposed new surgeon and was happy to move forward rather than put it off.”
While Sharon’s experience was good, one piece of advice she offered was to bring food from home. “Bring snacks for the hospital since our food wasn’t good.”
“I say bring your comforts: an iPad for Netflix/Amazon, a book, a laptop, anything that helps you pass the time.”
