Lauren Simon, star of The Real Housewives Of Cheshire, has spent the past three years dealing with the devastating and painful consequences of a “botched” boob job in Turkey. The 53-year-old visited a clinic in Istanbul to reduce her 34DD chest down to a 34D, after being encouraged to go abroad by a friend.
Now that she’s nearing the end of her reconstructive treatment, Lauren exclusively reveals to new the extent of her ordeal to help educate other women thinking of going under the knife abroad.
“I can totally understand why someone who’s had three kids might want to boost their confidence and pay £2,000 in Turkey rather than £10,000 in the UK, but if something seems too good to be true, it probably is,” she says ruefully.
Hi, Lauren! Why go to Turkey for your breast reduction operation?
I was typical Lauren – jump first, think later. I went with a friend, involved in a plastic surgery business out there, so I thought I’d be OK. I’d never had invasive surgery and I thought, “I’ve had two kids, I’ll just have my boobs put back where they’re supposed to be.”
Did you do much research into where you were going?
No. I told friends, and everybody said I was crazy, but I didn’t listen. I’m very headstrong. Also, once you’ve gone through a tough divorce like I have, you think you’re in control and do whatever you want. I felt invincible, if I’m being honest. My mum said, “Don’t go” but I wouldn’t listen. I thought, “I’m going with a friend, I’ll be fine.”
What happened when you got there?
I flew to Bodrum to have my teeth done and, then flew to Istanbul for breast surgery and to get a bit taken off my nose.
I was taken to a very swish hospital, full of people wearing Chanel, looking like movie stars. I was on the VIP floor and, at 7am, the surgeon, who I hadn’t seen or spoken to, came in and said, “Right, what are we doing?” I showed him a picture of what I wanted my nose to look like (of Megan Fox – who takes in a picture of Megan Fox? Ridiculous!) and said I wanted my breasts one size smaller, with an implant that lifts them.
So you went in for both surgeries. What happened when you woke up?
I realised I’d had a reaction to the general anaesthetic. I was so swollen, so I stayed in for an extra day but then went back to the villa where I was staying with other women who were also getting things done.
You were all going in for surgery at the same time?
Yes, six women, including myself, staying in the same villa, with a nurse checking on us. All had numerous surgeries on the same day. Most were having breast reductions, tummy tucks, full-body lipo and Brazilian butt lifts. I had different needlework on the left and right breast, so I don’t think I even had the same surgeon.
Did you notice more problems straight away?
Yes, my left nipple was purple, and the breast was about three times the size of the other, and boiling hot. I knew something was wrong. I went back into the hospital a few days later and, when they opened the bandages, the whole nipple was black – the flesh was dying.
That sounds so scary. You must have felt far from home...
I refused to fly home because my nipple was getting blacker and blacker. They admitted me and came in every two-and-a-half hours to have blood pricked back into the nipple to help blood flow. I ended up staying in Turkey for a month, barely sleeping and in a lot of pain. The first few weeks I was just crying. The last two weeks, I was in and out of hospital to get the infection treated.
What did you do each day?
I’d go for a walk in the morning, then watch TV. I also did a lot of meditation and listened to self-help podcasts. I had to get strength from somewhere very deep to be able to stay sane.
What happened when you got home?
I’m really lucky that I found some amazing doctors here, and I had a surgery last week with a doctor at The Pall Mall Surgery. A lot of UK doctors don’t like to deal with surgeries from abroad, and I understand why. I was in a lot of pain and had capsular contracture, where scar tissue tightened around the implants. It was such an ordeal.
What advice would you give to someone considering surgery abroad?
If you’re going to a surgeon that’s reputable, and you are speaking to and FaceTiming them, that’s one thing. If you’re going somewhere that just does Instagram adverts, don’t do it. That said, I understand that for someone on a normal salary, there’s still a big difference in costs, so it’s about educating people to help them make sensible decisions and making the UK market more competitive.
Your daughters, Gigi and Kika, must have been very worried.
They didn’t want me to go but they’re 21 and 17 now. They realise we all make mistakes.
I think they were just happy to have me home. It’s put them off having their boobs done, though! They might tell me I’m stupid, but they’ll always support me.
Have you sworn off surgery?
Well, it took me so long to decide to get something done. I’m in my fifties, now. I think eating healthy and going to the gym is the way forward. It’s definitely changed how I live and work.
You haven’t lost your confidence, though.
No, I’m actually very body positive. My clothes are always too short and too tight, but I always think I look amazing!
And is there anyone special on the scene?
I’m not in a relationship at the moment – I’m... interviewing! But I think I’ll wait for the sports bra to come off and the sexy lingerie to come back before jumping into anything.
