‘I spent £6k on Turkey facelift however trolls say it seems prefer it was executed in a kebab store’
Deirdre McCarthy, 54, paid just £5,900 for a full package of cosmetic surgery in Turkey, which included accommodation and a two-day hospital stay, saving over £32,000 compared to having the procedures done in Ireland
Deirdre McCarthy, 54, went to Turkey, for cosmetic procedures
A woman forked out nearly £6,000 for a facelift in Turkey, only to be met with cruel jibes from online trolls who questioned if her surgery was performed in a “kebab shop”.
Deirdre McCarthy, 54, saved a whopping £32,000 by flying to Turkey for a deep plane facelift, seeking a “pick me up” after the menopause. She journeyed to Istanbul for a deep plane face and neck lift, upper and lower blepharoplasty, fat injections and CO2 laser treatment in April 2026.
She shelled out just £5,900 (€6,827) for the full package at the Best Self Club clinic, which included accommodation and a two-day hospital stay. If she had opted for the procedures in Ireland, the surgery would have cost her an estimated €45,000 (£38,891.25).
Deirdre described her recovery as “grand”, and has been candid in sharing graphic post-operative updates with her online followers. She said the vast majority of responses have been supportive, and she brushes off any “vicious” comments.
Deirdre, a ward administrator hailing from Dublin, Ireland, said: “To be honest anybody that has known me for a long time will have known I’ve always said when the time comes if I can get my face and neck lifted I will no matter what.”, reports the Mirror.
“I always had that in the back of my mind and then I had a serious accident at home 15 years ago – it was a freak accident where a chemical blasted into my face. Ever since then I’ve recovered so well it was fabulous, but I looked in the mirror and I could see my scarring everywhere.
“As time went on with my lifestyle I probably smoked and drank too much, had a bad diet and a bad relationship and the whole lot takes a toll on your body. As I say it’s not for anyone else it’s always something I’ve wanted to do and last year I was financially in a better position to be able to go and do it.”
Deirdre conducted thorough research, with help from her 35 year old daughter Ciara, into the finest clinic for her treatment before selecting the one in Istanbul – chatting to previous patients and the clinics directly.
“We took a few months doing that and did not take the decision lightly,” she says. “The menopause as well was a killer for me. I was just feeling so low in myself and thought ‘I know what will pick me up’.
“We discussed when we got to the clinic and they suggested CO2 lasering but said there was no pressure. It involves lasering off layers of the skin and helps with fine lines, wrinkles, acne and scarring. With an original facelift they take the skin, but with a deep plane they get in there and move the muscle too”. She journeyed to Istanbul on April 7, 2026, undergoing her five-hour procedure the following day, with her surgeon using a bandaging method that meant no drains needed to be placed in her body.
Deirdre said: “I felt great, groggy, stiff and tight but no pain. I stayed there for a week but I could have extended if I wanted to do and see how my recovery was going.
“It’s been grand – I’ve had one or two little issues, one of them was while I was in Istanbul I had a slight pressure sore down the side of my face that was down to wearing my garment too tight and for too long but they provided the medications and cream needed.
“Getting back home I had a little swelling in my neck because I didn’t have to wear my garment anymore and it caused little lumps but they have disappeared now. I know this is a journey and can take six months to a year to see the full benefits but I’m very happy so far”.
Recording her daily recovery progress on TikTok, she’s attracted mixed reactions. One supporter wrote: “You will look amazing once it’s all settled down and you’re back to normal, good luck hun.”
Yet others seemed to question Deirdre’s decision, with one person writing: “Why would you put yourself through this? I hope you’re happy with the results. Your face looked good, you didn’t need any procedures, take care.” Another quizzed: “Did you have this done in a kebab shop in Turkey?” One person commented: “I don’t know if I should feel sorry or laugh, because why would you do this?”
Deirdre retorted: “Some people say I’m a tough old cookie. Ninety percent have been fantastic women supporting women it’s been great.
“There’s an element of people with no shame commenting ‘just grow old gracefully’ and ‘why put yourself through this, so vain’, when it’s really not the case at all. Those type of comments really don’t phase me at all – it could affect other people, hence why I’m fine with putting the story out there, it’s like water off a ducks back to me.
“Some comments are absolutely hilarious and I laugh at them. Ones that are a little bit vicious I don’t pay attention, they’re not doing anything other than making themselves look bad to be quite honest.
“I wanted to do this for the regular Joes thinking of doing it – usually you see the before and after but not the nitty gritty”.
Cost breakdown
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