Secret surgery: “We went under the knife for the perfect post-lockdown look!”
New stats have revealed there’s been a 520 per cent increase over the past 12 months in people seeking cosmetic surgery. Closer talks to three women who took advantage of the pandemic to achieve the look they’ve always wanted…
Like many people, Morgan Prout is looking forward to the end of the restrictions so she can head out to a bar with friends – though they may be surprised by the change in her appearance. For Morgan was one of many who took advantage of the pandemic and went under the knife in secret – having a breast augmentation in November last year at a private clinic in Preston, that took her from a 34B to a 34DD/E.
EMBARRASSED
Morgan, 21, who lives in St Helens, Merseyside, with her boyfriend Kyle, 22, says, “I work part-time for a mobile phone shop and I’m a full-time student. I’ve been wanting to have a boob job for years, but I was too embarrassed to take time out from either my job or studies – I was worried I would be judged for doing something frivolous.
“But then I was furloughed and my degree in English went online. I realised I could have the operation in secret, so I took advantage of that.”
In March 2020, elective surgeries were cancelled to free up resources to respond to COVID-19. But the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) says its doctors were reporting up to
70% increases in requests for virtual consultations. By the time elective surgery was going ahead again last summer, the number of people actually having procedures had risen by more than half. Patients also took advantage of the travel corridors to have surgery overseas.
Experts conclude that people have been making the most of not needing to use much annual leave or have colleagues and friends witness their recovery. They also believe that the sharp rise in interest has been driven by feelings of selfconsciousness caused by seeing themselves during video calls and scrutinising their appearance.
Mr Ramachandran Prasad, General Breast Surgeon at Pall Mall Cosmetics, tells Closer, “Many patients still worry about being judged for undergoing a cosmetic procedure. However, the most important thing is that they decide to go ahead with surgery because they truly believe it can improve their quality of life. It’s not a decision that should be taken lightly.
“But being asked to stay at home by the government has given patients the opportunity to recover at home peacefully, which is why I believe surgery has been on the rise this past year. Plus, we’re all making video calls more than before, which means we’re putting our appearance under more scrutiny.”
SELF-CONSCIOUS
Morgan had wanted the operation since she was in her teens, but had been told to wait until she was fully developed,
She says, “By the time I was 18 it was clear that my B-cup breasts weren’t getting any bigger. They made me feel self-conscious and low.
“I really wanted to have surgery but I didn’t want to ask my university for the time off as I felt they wouldn’t approve of me missing lectures. Also, I didn’t want friends putting pressure on me to go to a certain size, or to see the results before they had settled down and had chance to fully heal. But with the pandemic restrictions, I sensed it could be the perfect time to go ahead.”
Morgan paid £4,499 for the op at a small private hospital using savings, plus a loan from her mum, and insists she’s thrilled with her new look.
She says, “I did my research and the clinic had a great reputation. And even though COVID cases were rising, I felt safer there than in a supermarket, as it was so professional.
“I have no regrets at all and I certainly haven’t been judged by anyone. I’d never have had it done on the NHS and taken up their valuable time and resources.
“My breasts look great and I can’t wait to show them off. My secret surgery was the best thing I could have done and now I can’t wait to show off my perfect lockdown body!”