Instinctively knew this was a poorly executed result

I approached Mayclinik regarding facial surgery for the purposes of rejuvenating.
I had already conducted a visit to a UK surgeon. He advised me I needed
• Deep plane face lift,
• Upper and lower Bleph.
• Browlife
• Fat transfer
I started to consider going abroad after a conversation with a friend who had been abroad. She told me about Mayclinik. I contacted them via Whatsapp. I was directed to before and after images of previous work, many positive reviews and was assured about the risks. I also saw the results by the surgeon who they proposed would be the one I would have. All the advice was in line with that I received from a UK surgeon. Mayclinik also advised me that the procedures they would recommend was the same as the UK surgeon. I was given a quote which was acceptable. Although I was still talking to other clinics Mayclinik could schedule the surgery at an appropriate time. I had some downtime from work and so the scheduling was agreeable.
I flew to Istanbul to meet with the surgeon from Turkey and the patient coordinator. I flew with my brother who accompanied me for support. The day after arrival as planned I had my consultation on the morning that the surgery was scheduled. This seemed in keeping with many of the medical tourism clinics I had contacted.
Dr Safak was reassuring, I explained to him what my expectation was. I explained I had had a couple of really stressful months resulting in me looking tired and sallow. I told him I was looking for a natural result which would deal with the lack of laxity in my skin specifically around the neck, jowls and eyes. I showed him pictures of me from three/four years earlier and told him I wanted a result that was natural and refreshed and to revive my former more radiant look. This conversation was witnessed by my brother.
As soon as the balance of the agreed cost was paid to the patient coordinator I was prepared for surgery.
I woke up feeling groggy and bandaged and knew I was swollen. However as soon as I regained most of my consciousness and was reunited with my brother I was able to see from his reaction that he was shocked. I attributed this to him not having a clear expectation of what I would look like post-surgery. I on the other hand, had seen the diaries of women who had had the same procedure. My brother flew home on day 2 post operatively. Knowing that the first few days that the swelling could be extensive and expected a significant amount of discolouration or bruising, I made a decision to avoid looking in the mirror in the bathroom. I was hoping to overcome the initial shock until the bruising had subsided somewhat. On day four post operatively I looked in the mirror for the first time. I was horrified. The result was not like anything I had seen. With each twice-daily visit from the nurses from Mayclinik ,I sought reassurance that this was as expected and normal. I was deeply concerned by the swelling and distortion. I was scheduled to go to the clinic offices in Levant to have the stitches removed but requested an additional visit the day before to reassure me. The following day I re-visited the clinic to have the staples and stiches removed. The staples in my hairline were very painful. The surgeon, Dr Safak managed to remove them and whilst I repeatedly expressed my concerns, disappointment and anxiety over the results the staff were dismissive. They attributed the disfigurement to the post-operative healing process. I reluctantly accepted that this was very early days and was advised that the first month would see improvement.

Before flying home, I entered dialogue on Whatsapp with one of the staff, Busra Bozkurt asking her to give me the details of another surgeon in Istanbul to provide me with a second opinion. She advised me that the nurses at the check up had advised her everything was OK. I advised here that I still had a staple in my head and that there were remaining stitches. I reiterated the results were appalling, I advised her I would be seeking legal advice. I believed that like the rest of the team that she was behaving dismissively. I appreciated her perspective that I was less than 10 days post operatively however instinctively I knew this was a poorly executed result.
I returned home to the UK on I was still very dissatisfied with the result, the reaction and the recovery. Fortunately, I was not in a position where I had to return to work quickly.
I contacted Mayclinik and requested notes, documentations, images of the surgery including preoperative markings, all preoperative images I had given them and copies of their indemnities and insurances. They were reluctant to release this. I was still speaking individually to the nurses/coordinators. It became that they had no autonomy and would not acknowledge the problem. I was being fobbed off. I created a joint Whatsapp group to all three, clearly stating what I needed to happen. I was refered to Kubra who was introduced to me as a Director of Mayclinik. She arranged for me to see their UK based consultant in London. I was still asking for documentation about the surgery.
In desperation I paid for a second opinion with Jag Chana a UK reconstructive facial surgeon At Mr Chana’s he was very discreet advising me (as I knew he would) that remedial work could not start until month 12 . The reaction at Jag Chanas surgery was professional, understanding and reassuring. He acknowledged and confirmed my concerns with the outcome.
He agreed the results were very poor. At his surgery his nurse was able to remove a further 15 stitches that had been left in and they booked me for a further follow up.
Around that time, I began a schedule of appointment arranged by Kubra with Dr Sam/Dr Sami in London at their consulting room. On the first appointment my right hand eye and side was significantly affected by the surgery. I also had internal sutures that manifested themselves on the surface of my face if I turned my head.
The first visit with Dr Sami, he advised me to take vitamins, do some facial exercises to improve the atrophy on the right hand side of my face. The nurse also performed lymphatic drainage. I subsequently booked a series of lympthatic massage sessions with a specialist in Milton Keynes.
Whilst Dr Sami was kind, I realised that his attitude was that as I was only a few weeks post operatively that my expectation needed to be managed. I have been more than aware that the process of full healing can take up to a year and that no revision should be contemplated within that time. However, whilst I agree the tissue etc may take 12 months to heal the results are what they are. I am also aware that MayClinik are inferring that by some miracle by month 12 the result will improve. This is egregious. There may be some minor settlement however the scarring, distortion, lack of symmetry is unlike to resolve itself including the disforming around my eyes and cheeks are not a recovery issue but a surgery issue.
This period has been incredibly distressing. Mayclinik’s reaction is polite but I’m being treated like a neurotic individual. I feel they believe that the surgery is acceptable. Im feeling a lack of honesty about this. I believe my concerns are legitimate.
I had surgery to improve my appearance and this has not been the case. This situation has significantly affected me in terms of the distress and embarrassment I have experienced. I am self-conscious and not happy in public or among crowds. I have been avoiding meeting up with my friends and colleagues.
I do not look refreshed. I have not had one positive comment about my appearance post-surgery.
I no longer trust the Mayclinik who have behaved with courtesy but have tried to defer responsibility. They repeat like a broken record the fact that I am just being impatient or that I had too great an expectation. They are now treating me as if I am a nuisance, not replying to many texts and during the last zoom appointment with Dr Sami he has reported back to his colleagues that I am blaming Mayclinik, I am not sure who else can be held responsible for this matter. I did not conduct my own surgery. It appears that Mayclinik can only deal with satisfied customers.
I can provide a report from the specialist who conducted the lymphatic massage who worked on the tissue of my face and has witnessed the journey of recover and also from Jag Chana.
I have spoken to other women who have had facial surgery – and they have agreed they would feel aggrieved with the results Mayclinik have achieved with me. I have also heard some women who have had surgery and who are complaining more vehemently and publically about some very minor aspects of their surgery and on the whole I feel that my expectations have been reasonable. I’m not complaining about a small bump, this is facial distortion and disfigurement.
I do not know what options there are to achieve acceptable results, results I should have had from the original surgery but know now that there is a breach of trust and confidence with Dr Safak and Mayclinik. They do not answer messages. I have fully copies of all text conversations with them I am now 10 months post op the outcome is as I expected, still poor. I do not know why as 12 weeks they were telling me to wait till 12 months. Did they expect for it to take a miraculous turn for the better between weeks 12 and 52. I am disfigured and its all started to drop.