Lipo to abs and flanks by Dr Norkus in Lithuania, via Wellness Travels

After months of research, countless numbers of consultations, and back and forth emails, I've finally picked a clinic for my liposuction.

I've been considering liposuction for years now. I guess a mix of financial strain and social pressure have been the two biggest reasons why I've put it off for so long. I'm 27 and haven't had any children, so more often than not, friends of mine have said my "kangaroo pouch" was nothing to feel self conscious about, that I was taking the "easy way out" and that it was a selfish thing to pay for vanity. I've pushed all those thoughts of negativity away, and will be concentrating on me - selfish or not!

I originally looked around London, meeting with well know clinics like MYA and the Private Clinic but always decided against them - the patient coordinators were always nice enough, but there was always an air of.... judgement. Which isn't what you want from someone who is supposed to take care of you from start to finish.

I considered leaving London and having the lipo in other cities (Liverpool, Birmingham, Manchester) but again, never felt like I'd be at the forefront of their attention - I always felt like I'd be part of this huge liposuction machine, one person in and one person out. So I decided to look abroad and see if I could get the dame treatment, with zero judgement and more human touches.

I've decided to go with Wellness Travels who are based in Lithuania. Considering they're abroad, their communication has been better and faster than some of the UK clinics I've spoken with, which impressed me from the very start. My Skype consultation went really well and I'm booked in for liposuction to the upper and lower abdomen plus flanks.

As silly as it sounds, it feels like a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders. I've had enough of people judging me and saying I'm taking the "easy way out", now that I've found a clinic that has really gone out of their to ease any of my worries, I know that this is the best route for me 100%.

There are less than four weeks until my operation.

My flights have been booked, contract has been received, and deposit paid. My time off work has been approved, and now all I have to do is wait.

There are a handful of things I'm looking forward to, but the below are at the very top of my list:

1.Not having to wear shapewear / suck in my stomach / feel self conscious about how I look in certain clothes
2.Being able to buy clothes that are more fitted, not needing to hide behind baggy and long jumpers
3.Being able to say "yes" to things like days out at the beach because I won't feel self conscious

I'm so incredibly excited about this because it's been a long birthing process, but I'm also really nervous. I'm going to a different country for a pretty serious bit of surgery on my own. I'll be heading back to a hotel to change dressings, get in and out of compression garments, and look after myself on my own.

I knew exactly what I was getting myself into but I am quite nervous - but if I can manage for a week by the time I get back to London it'll hopefully be a breeze! I think the thought of not being able to reach for someone if I'm feeling lightheaded, or not having someone who can run to a supermarket for food is what makes me feel anxious at the moment. I know my hotel has a supermarket below it so I plan on stocking up on a few basic things when I arrive.

If anyone has gone for surgery abroad on their own I'd love any tips or recommendations.

I took my suitcase out of the wardrobe with the intention of measuring it, but ended up getting 90% of my packing done instead.

It was surprisingly easy to do, much easier than packing for a holiday. I have socks, tights, tops, jumpers and joggers. My toiletries bag is basically packed with toothpaste, a toothbrush, shampoo and conditioner (if I can cope with washing my hair), dry shampoo (on days when I can’t cope with washing my hair), antiseptic and eczema cream (to tackle any itchiness), cocoa butter, old bed sheets and sanitary pads (to soak up excess drainage). The only things I need to buy are throat lozenges for the potential dry throat following anaesthesia.

I’ve checked into my flight and I’ve added the space for my checked-in bags, because the thought of lugging around my suitcase and struggling to lift my case in and out of the overhead cabin made me anxious.

All I have left to do is pick up my euros and print off my documents, then I’m all set :)