Social media celebrity Nicola “Nikki” Adams, 39, recently flew to Istanbul for a comprehensive “mummy makeover.” Over two weeks, she underwent:
Breast augmentation
Tummy tuck
360-degree body-contouring liposuction
Thigh and chin liposuction
Earlobe reconstruction
Photos taken 14 days after surgery show her dramatically slimmer midsection. The tummy tuck removed enough skin to erase the word “nightmare” from a large tattoo, leaving only “beautiful.” Adams’s belly button was also repositioned higher on her abdomen.
“It’s so cool how it turned out—I thought I’d be left with half a tattoo,” she said.
A Personal Journey of Healing
Adams describes her decision as deeply personal. The death of her infant son, Alaska, in 2013 led to years of self-destructive behavior. After the birth of her youngest child two years ago, she realized she had long neglected her own needs.
“I felt a lot of disrespect for my body after losing my son,” she told The Herald.
She chose Turkey for its advanced technology, reputed care, and costs at roughly one-third of domestic prices. Her previous criminal record also barred her from entering some countries, including Australia and the U.S.
The Turkish Plastic Surgery Group offered her a free breast augmentation. Adams then decided to add the other procedures, investing in her own transformation.
Costs, Risks, and Recovery
Typical “mummy makeovers” in Istanbul range from $10,000 to $20,000. Adams paid for her additional surgeries herself. She also had broken teeth removed in December to prepare for $90,000 worth of dental implants—yet paid less than a third of that price.
Her recovery was far from easy. Tests showed a low red blood cell count, and she required two blood transfusions. She rated her back pain from liposuction a 9 out of 10. Once home in New Zealand, she battled post-operative depression—a condition she only learned about after surgery.
“I didn’t even know there was such a thing as post-op depression,” Adams said.
Facing Criticism and Offering Advice
Despite mostly positive feedback, some followers criticized her for altering her body while promoting self-acceptance. Adams brushed off the comments.
“I still don’t care what people think,” she said. “I’m a role model for my daughters.”
She urged anyone considering surgery abroad to research thoroughly, weigh the risks, and be ready for the full recovery process. The New Zealand Association of Plastic Surgeons warns of variable care standards, language barriers, and limited follow-up support overseas. New Zealand’s Accident Compensation Corporation does not cover complications from procedures done abroad, leaving patients to rely on emergency or public healthcare.
You Might Be Interested In:
- Kailyn Lowry Felt ‘Uncomfortable’ After Abdominal Surgery
- ‘Love Is Blind’ Star Chelsea Blackwell On Tummy Tuck Surgery
- Kristi Nome’s Facial Transformation Is Remarkable
