PEELING the bandages off her face, Leigh Cobb smiled as she gazed at her youthful reflection in the mirror.
Her skin was tight and her wrinkles had vanished.
She’d just undergone her fourth surgery, a face and neck lift in Poland.
At £4,800, it might have cost her a small fortune but Leigh claims it was well worth the money.
And Leigh, 53, from Worcestershire, argues going under the knife is safer than ‘quickie’ cosmetic treatments like Botox and fillers.
Ten years earlier, she was ‘botched’ by a ‘lunchtime’ thread lift that left gaping holes in her face.
The self-proclaimed surgery addict says: “I’d always pick surgery over injecting something foreign into my body, like Botox or fillers.
“My results last 10 years or more, compared to these ‘temporary fixes’ that need doing every few months.
“Plus, I want to be able to have expressions, and not look ‘fake’.
“Too many girls are starting early and they don’t know the long term effects of these treatments.
“They hold so many possible dangers like botulism and paralysis. It’s scary.”
Leigh had her first surgery, liposuction, at 29.
And she loved the flat tummy it left her with.
Six years later she had her eyelids lifted in the UK costing £3.5K.
To her, it made ‘such a dramatic difference’ and she became addicted after that.
She explains: “Living in Dubai as a young women, I had so much damage to my skin.
“As well as going on sun beds three times a week, and several sunshine holidays each year, at the age of 42, feeling ‘old’ and fed up of my wrinkles, I started researching treatments and came across Fraxel laser surgery.”
The procedure claims to rejuvenate damaged skin.
It cost £1,500 in the UK, instead, Leigh found a clinic in Poland offering it for £400.
She explains: “The surgeons reviews were five star and no-one had a bad word to say about him.”
In July 2015, she had the treatment and afterwards was offered a facial thread lift, where dissolvable surgical threads were used to lift sagging skin on her cheeks.
Nicknamed the ‘lunchtime facelift’ it only took 15 minutes and promised to leave her looking years younger.
Next day, she went ahead at the price of £1200.
She says: “Afterwards I was left with huge, gaping holes in my cheeks.
“Horrified, I was told it was ‘normal’ and would settle in a week.”
Back home, though, she discovered the surgeon had only been trained in the thread lift a week.
After that horrible experience I vowed never to have procedures ‘on a whim’
Leigh Cobb
Desperate to fix her face, she saw a surgeon in Derby who confirmed she’d need laser surgery to fix it, costing £2,000.
Terrified of more surgery, she decided to try vitamin E cream and daily massage to help the threads dissolve.
Over two months later, the holes finally began to fade.
This experience didn’t deter her and aged 45, she had her boobs lifted for £3k in Costa Rica.
She says: “After that horrible experience I vowed never to have procedures ‘on a whim’.
“I would make sure I’d always do my research.”
Last year, feeling uncomfortable with the way she looked, she researched a lower face and neck lift.
She says: “My neck felt saggy, like a turkey neck.
“Despite friends saying I looked gorgeous, I just wanted to improve my confidence.”
Do's & Don'ts before and after Botox
Dr. Aamer Khan reveals the do's and don'ts with Botox
Do’s Before Botox
Consult a qualified practitioner with medical training and experience.
Inform your practitioner about all medications, supplements, and medical conditions.
Avoid alcohol and blood-thinning medications (aspirin, ibuprofen, vitamin E) for 24–48 hours.
Stay hydrated and have a light meal before your appointment.
Ask questions about the procedure, expectations, and outcomes.
Don’ts Before Botox
Avoid retinol, glycolic acid, or exfoliants on treatment areas for 24 hours.
Don’t schedule within 2 weeks of major events to allow time for the treatment to work and any healing. needed, possible bruising, which can occur.
Reschedule if you’re feeling unwell (cold, infection, etc.).
Try to avoid makeup on the day of treatment, unless it is mineral make up.
Do’s After Botox
Gently move treated muscles (smile, frown) to help Botox settle.
Stay upright for 4–6 hours post-treatment.
Apply cold compresses gently to reduce swelling if there is any.
Use mild, non-active skincare to keep skin clean and calm.
Don’ts After Botox
Do not lie down or bend over for at least 4–6 hours.
Avoid touching or rubbing the injected area for 24 hours.
Skip workouts and heat exposure (gym, saunas, hot yoga) for 24 hours.
Don’t apply makeup or active skincare for at least 12–24 hours.
Avoid alcohol and blood thinners for 24 hours post-treatment.
For any concerns post-treatment, always contact your provider directly. Mild redness, swelling, or bruising is common and usually subsides within a few days.
In February this year, she went under the knife again.
She explains: “I did so much research on the surgeon.
“Looking at testimonials and pictures of her work on social media.
“Her stitching was so neat, it was one of the reasons I opted for her.
“And of course, the price. Being in Poland, it was £13,000 cheaper than here in the UK.
“Of course, I would always pick safety over cost though.
“Since having the op, I feel and look amazing.
“I have a neck of a 16 year old and love it.
“Men think I’m in my late 30s and I get hit on during nights out with my friends by young men.
“I love people’s reaction when I tell them I’m 53. It makes me feel really good.”
On the dangers of Botox, she continues: “Freezing a muscle so much over time must affect how that muscle works.
“Too many back street clinics or unqualified individuals, not properly trained are administering it.
“I learnt my lesson not to trust amateurs all those years ago.
“There’s nothing wrong with taking care of your appearance as long as you do it safely and not in haste.”
