Countdown to April 15th

I am scheduled for lipo and bbl on the 15th of April. Originally planned on travelling down to Dominican republic but came across dr karaaltin on real self and decided to give it a go. His coordinator Havla is an angel, she answers each question prompty and is very reassuring. Will document my journey and keep everyone posted as regards my journey. I have a feeling I made the right choice.

Stated this journey with Havla sometime in February. Havla was soft spoken and answered my questions at anytime, regardless of the time difference. Had plans of going in April but Covid happened and I was very busy working round the clock and also looking after my critically ill patients. I tried keeping in touch with Havla, updating her on my plans and also checking up on her in general, was shocked and devasted to hear that she wasn't working with Dr Karaltin's clinic anymore, I tend to mind my business a lot, so never bothered asking what transpired. She did reassure me that I will be in safe hands and that she will still be there for me.
I got back in contact with Dr karaaltin via Instagram and got a number for another coordinator (Asma). 
Asma is also a rare gem. She guided me through it all like a pro! Very respectful and that sealed it for me.
27/09/2020
I woke up bright and early, Said my prayers, cleaned my flat thoroughly. Made sure I had all my supplies in my bag. (A lot of it wasn't necessary).
had breakfast. Ordered an uber for 8am. Got to the airport early. Checked in my luggage.
Boarded and left through Gatwick at 10:40 am. The plane was packed full, I had my mask on and also slept for most of the trip.
Got to Istanbul at 16:40, the assigned driver was waiting at the exit with my name written on a placard as pre arranged. He helped me with my luggage and took me to the car. I arrived the hotel and Asma kept in touch all the way through. Checked in, had a meal and rested.
28/09/2020
The driver arrived very early, took me to get the mandatory covid test done, also to the clinic to get bloods, chest xray and a clearance from the anaesthetist prior to surgery. I finally met Asma, she is an angel and gorgeous. I told her about my fears and that I was anxious. She looked me straight in the eyes and said inshallah you will be fine.
Completed my routine tests and headed out to the grand bazaar and blue mosque. Shopped and explored until about 6pm.
Got back to the hotel, had a thorough wash with hibiscrub and went straight to bed. 
29/09/2020
Surgery day, nerves kicked in full time! I was up from 2 am, nothing could settle ny mind. I was scared of not just the procedure but also the recovery process (I travelled alone)
Working in the healthcare sector has taught me that every surgical or medical intervention may have complications, it could be a routine outpatient procedure that thousands of people have done without a single issue but when things go south, they truly do.
Had a thorough wash again with hibiscrub, didn't use any deodorant or lotion.
Driver collected me on time. I was admitted and Asma stayed with me in the room for a couple of minutes. Dr Karaaltin walked into the room with his team, and the confidence I saw in them put my mind at ease. I had so many wish pictures but at that point I trusted him completely and didnt feel the need to show him what i wanted, I trusted his expertise and knew that he would make me a better version of myself. He took his time to mark me properly, took pictures, looked at me closely and told me the surgical plan. He was not in a hurry and assured me that they will do their best to give me my desired result but I may need a second round.
Let me tell you, I was shaped like a box! Years of undergoing fertility treatments messed me up full time. 
Dr and his team left and said see you in surgery.
Now getting a cannula in was big trouble because my veins are terrible, always have been, most times its done under ultrasound guidance in the UK. The nurses tried but couldn't, I was wheeled into the theater the anaesthetist, walked up to me smiling and reintroduced himself, I was so worried about the cannula, and he held my head and said, I will get a cannula in myself, now I want you to take deep breaths through this mask (it was a simple mask) you will be getting some laughing gas in, and you can laugh out loud if you want to,.few breaths in, it started tasting funny and I thats all I can remember.
All I heard was some people saying, swallow, swallow and at that point all I wanted was to be suctioned (for some weird reason, dont ask me why, because I don't know,lol ). I tried to swallow and finally did. Was trembling and felt cold like ice. Noticed I had a bair hugger generating heat ( not too sure) was still very woozy.
I was wheeled into recovery then back to my room. At this point my vitals was being checked regularly, I was so concerned about laying on my back and kept asking to be turned to my stomach but the nurses kept reassuring me that I will be fine, to just relax. The team came back and told me that surgery was a success, and that I will love my final result. My hgb went down, blood was transfused. I felt like I had been run over by a truck, the pain was mainly on my back, cant describe it. 
One of the Drs came back and refitted my faja with the nurses while I was still on the bed, for added compression and support.
I had soup and lots of water.
At 10pm, the nurse assisted me to walk through the corridor back and forth, she was more scared of me falling than I was(lol) because she kept saying, look up, dont look down, if you feel dizzy, please stop. 
After that I went back to bed, exhausted. Slept like a baby 
30/09/2020 day 1 post surgery
Dr karaltin walked in to see me with his team as usual, asked how I was feeling, I told him I was in pain felt a bit weak but the pain was way worse than the weakness, he smiled and said my hemoglobin level was still low, so another transfusion was started, pain killers via IV was given. Had breakfast, lunch, walked around, catheter was emptied regularly by the nurses. Saw pictures and videos of my body, was pleasantly surprised. The transformation was phenomenal 
1/10/2020
Day 2 Post surgery
I felt a bit better, had breakfast, lunch and dinner, walked around as well. Dr and his team also visited me. Catheter was taken out
Day 3 PO
2/10/2020
The nurse helped to take my faja off. I had a shower. And also my incision was cleaned using ANTT procedure, dressing replaced, I didn't believe the view I was seeing on the mirror, my stomach was huge prior to surgery and what I saw in the mirror was way above my expectation, remember I didn't have a tummy tuck, it was just liposuction in my tummy area. I was snatched!!! This improved my general mood and my day started off on a good note. I was discharged from the hospital. Asma stopped by and left strict instructions that I shouldn't be allowed to lift my luggage or anything heavy. The nurses helped to pack my back and saw me off. 
Some questions that I have been asked by friends
Is surgery a walk in the park? No! 
Is it worth it? For me 100%.
Why travel overseas for surgery when it can be done in England?
Research, research and research some more, complications can happen anywhere, the choice is yours to make.
If you ladies have any questions regarding my healing process and also experience with Dr Karaltin's team, feel free to drop me a message, will reply as soon as i possibly can. 
Special thanks to these amazing ladies on RealSelf karaltindoll
msparkerLOA
Kimberhenry (girl you are a star)
Still in the recovery process, will upload better pictures when I'm stong enough.