Arissa: Dawn and I are back from Korea! We are still recovering from our surgeries but we can’t wait to share our experiences with you.

Dawn: I know we have been getting a lot of questions in the previous post – while we have not had time to answer to all the comments individually, we seek to answer some of them in this post. I understand that it may seem weird to others that we are so open about our experiences, but I think it is important to provide information to people who may be considering getting surgical enhancements. We intend to document every step of our process, starting from the moment we arrive in Seoul.

27th August 2014 

After a red-eye flight, we arrived early in the morning at Incheon Airport where we met with a personal taxi. The driver took us directly to Banobagi Plastic and Aesthetic Clinic for our consultation and check-up.

Banobagi is conveniently located in the heart of Gangnam, less than 5 minutes away from the Yeoksam station. There’s also a bus stop where the Airport Limousine stops at which is about less than 10 minutes walk away. We arrived about 30 minutes after the clinic is opened and it was just starting to fill up with people. I was not sure what I expected, but I was really impressed with the scale of the clinic – there is 6 floors dedicated to various purposes and we were greeted with a bright and airy reception. Various consultants greet you as you step into the clinic and I really felt like some sort of VIP!

We were joined by our coordinator Claire (she’s so skinny and pretty!), who had been extremely helpful throughout our trip. Claire speaks fluent English and acted as an interpreter – she would patiently explain everything like instructions or advice from the doctors, and on top of that she would regularly drop by to check in on us! We were worried about the language barrier at first, but with Claire’s help we did not encounter any difficulties at all. Besides acting as an interpreter, Claire also took on the role of a consultant – she explained to us the surgical procedures in detail and also recommended various procedures to us.

After a brief consultation, we were taken from the reception to the 5th storey of the building which specialises in facial surgery. Before anything else, we had to take photos and X-rays with extremely sophisticated machines that are able to give the doctors a 3-D view of our bone structures – this provides the doctors with an in-depth view of our problems. P.S. See the cardboard cut-out next to us? It’s none other than one of the contestants on Let Me In, which Banobagi subsequently operated on – tell me you are not impressed by the transformation! There are various pamphlets lying around, which we browsed through while waiting to consult with the surgeon.

Both Dawn and I have an idea of what we want to change for our face and bodies but we needed to see the doctors before we decided on the procedures.

A: I didn’t like my side profile as I had a underbite and I’ve always felt that the lack of fats on my face often left me looking haggard and severe. Another thing that has bugged me since puberty was my lack of boobs. I’ve been patiently waiting for their growth since I was 12 years old but they never did. I even went through two growth spurts (accounting for my height which I am really grateful for) but my boobs just remained two sad-looking mounts on my chest.

Lastly, I have the problem of stubborn fats on my thighs, stomach and arms. I was a very athletic kid but never had small thighs even though I was on the track & field team. I signed up at a local gym last year and even though I had a personal trainer, I never really saw the results even after months of hard work.

A: We had our first consultation with Dr. Oh, one of the Directors of Banobagi about our concerns with our face. My bone structure calls for a 2-jaw surgery to rotate the jaw downwards and inwards so that the underbite can be corrected. The downtime is extremely long (about a month) and I still have to see an Orthodontist after the surgery to correct my teeth. I couldn’t afford the downtime and opted for fat grafting on my forehead and smile lines so that my features can be softened.

D: I am unhappy with my jawline – I feel that I have a round face, and would prefer a smaller face with a sharper jawline. Initially I was planning to go for fillers and botox – but after consulting the x-rays, Dr. Oh revealed that I have asymmetrical cheekbones and a slanted chin that could only be corrected with facial contouring. It is not something I have particularly noticed before, but after looking at the x-ray some things clicked – I always had trouble contouring the right side of my face and tend it hide it behind my hair due to the asymmetry. My dentist have also commented on my jaw previously and after scrutinising my face, I agreed with Dr. Oh’s judgement.

D: This is not to say that Dr. Oh was pushy about the procedures – on the contrary, he actually recommended against epicanthoplasty (which I inquired about) stating that it would change the “feel” of my features. I did not at any point feel that he was pushing for any unnecessary procedures. In fact, he seemed to want to correct my most serious problem (facial asymmetry) and create a result that is still “me”, just with slight improvements.

A: Next, we met with Dr. Ban, another Director of Banobagi for our consultation regarding Breast Augmentation and Liposuction. We had to change into robes for this consultation because Dr. Ban needed to see our bodies in order to make an accurate judgement. I wanted to know if the fats that are collected during liposuction would be sufficient for fats transfer to the boobs but it turns out that it is not enough so I’ll be going for teardrop-shaped cohesive gel implants instead.

D: I too inquired about the possibility of liposuction, because my fats tend to be stored in my stomach and hips. However, Dr. Ban recommended against having facial surgery and liposuction performed on the same day because the risks were too high. It is good knowing that Banobagi places the safety of their patients first and foremost and I decided not to go for anything else after hearing what he has to say!

Our surgeries are scheduled for 29th August, 2 days after our arrival. Claire walked us to Banobagi’s Guesthouse, conveniently located less than 3 mins walk away from the clinic with a plethora of convenience stores nearby – it’s only US$30 a night to boot! The rooms were really large and well-equipped. There are about 8 or 9 rooms available with a reclining hospital bed which is a godsend during recovery. I cannot express how awesome having a humidifier in the room is when you are extremely dehydrated.

We were also given a stash of microwavable pumpkin soup (which helps with swelling), porridges and soy milk so we won’t go hungry even if we can’t go out after the surgery. Claire told us that korean ladies really believe in the healing properties of pumpkin, and pregnant women often drink pumpkin juice and soup to recuperate after their pregnancy. Banobagi really had all the bases covered to ensure that our stay is as comfortable as possible. There’s also free wifi so you can catch up with your family and friends to let them know how you’re doing.

We will be blogging about the actual surgery day and the recovery process up next, so stay tuned! In the meanwhile, please feel free to ask us anything.

Just found something that was buried in my drafts! I’m so in love with the XEVANA Bastille stacklace that contrasts against the simplicity of my top and the Daniel Wellington Sheffield Lady watch.

Just in case you’re looking to purchase your own Daniel Wellington Watch, here’s your last chance to make use of our discount code. Enter discount code [monoxious15] for 15% off before you check-out. Offer ends 15th September!

Warning: If you are squeamish about blood or gore, skip this post.

Picture taken the day after we came back from Korea, exactly 8 days after the surgery. Color correction only.

29th August 2014

How the hell did I even muster a smile? Dawn obviously knew what to expect but I didn’t.

Pre-surgery

My surgery was scheduled for 10am while Dawn’s was at 930am, but we went to the clinic at 830am for some pre-op check-up and final consultations with the doctors who will be operating on us.

As per standard procedure, you have to avoid food and water 8 hour prior to the surgery. This is in order to minimise the risk of aspirating vomitus while under general anesthesia.

I met with Dr. Ban just before the surgery to discuss how big I wanted to go with regards to my breasts. I wanted it to look as natural as possible so he suggested teardrop shaped implants about 260cc each. Then he got out a marker and started marking the areas which to draw fats out and also where the implants will go.

The Aftermath

My surgery took about six hours and I can’t even begin to describe the amount of pain I was in after the surgery.  They were really kind to have placed Dawn and I in the same room so we had company. We couldn’t really muster a conversation of any sort but having the physical presence of a friend really helped in keeping me sane because recovery was a bitch.

I wasn’t allowed any water  for the first two hours after the surgery because the anesthesia might still cause me to vomit. When I was finally allowed to drink, I had to sip small amounts of it or it would upset my stomach. I actually did feel nauseous after my first few sips of water. My body was in an excruciating amount of pain and I actually questioned my sanity several times in what I felt was the longest and most painful day in my life.

I took comfort in two things that day; the fact that Dawn was with me and the nurses at Banobagi who worked tirelessly through the night to attend to us. My temperature was taken every two hours to ensure that I didn’t have an infection, my IV bag was changed regularly, and I could call for them with a button beside my bed if I needed water. I felt safe and that was really one of the most important things I needed after putting my body through all that stress.

30th August 2014

Discharge

Claire came in to check on us around noon the next day and we were discharged after just one night in the clinic. We were far from full recovery but at least the critical period is over. My hair was matted with blood and lymph fluid from the liposuction sites and I walked out of the clinic looking like a crazy person.

We picked up our medication on our way back to the guest house and it was really the first time I had a good look at myself in the mirror. I was covered in lymph fluid and the only thing I could do was to wipe myself down with the wet wipes that I had brought along with me.

Lymph fluid. Lymph fluid everywhere.

I was also leaking lymph fluid for the next two days so I had to use a towel in addition to paper towels to line the bed so that I don’t stain it.

My mobility was severely compromised and my exercise for the day was limited to the number of trips I made to the toilet. The speed at which I walked can be described as a really slow zombie.

Fat grafting
The most immediate thing I noticed about my face was how nice and round my forehead was and how my laugh lines had been filled out. There was some swelling underneath my eyes but that’s to be expected. My nose bridge went missing for the next few days. Out of all the procedures that I had done, fat grafting hurt the least.

Liposuction
I knew there was going to be bruising from the liposuction but I didn’t think it would be at a level where I would look like I was involved in a car crash or someone’s target practice for a paintball match. There was also plenty of swelling so it looked like I didn’t even go for liposuction in the first place. My arms had absolutely no strength so I couldn’t reach for anything and I ended up keeping bottles of water, wet wipes and the air-con remote on my bed.

Breast Augmentation
No one told me my new breasts were going to hurt this much. It was essentially stuffing implants underneath my muscles and into my chest cavity. My skin was so taut and my chest felt so tight and sore that I thought I was going to die. They still sit really high up and it will take some time for gravity to work its magic.

Afterthoughts

The popular opinion is to hate on those who went under the knife because of vanity. You can’t deny that there’s a growing positivity for plastic surgery as it becomes more  common but people are still afraid to show their support for it. Friends and acquaintances have approached me after our second post to express support and even interest in getting procedures done while those that are vehemently against plastic surgery just post negative comments on the blog because that’s the best way to project their insecurities and enforce their opinions on us. You can call a person plastic for getting a nose job or double eyelids and be okay with them getting braces or veneers when it is body modification all the same. This got me thinking about how negativity just continually fuels itself without anyone standing up and saying that it is in fact okay to pursue an ideal on your own terms.

It wasn’t an easy decision for me to make and I thought long and hard before I decided on getting work done. You can criticise me for having an unrealistic ideal of beauty but this opinion extends to my own body and I do not project this on a person who had a similar body as I did. If you have A-cup boobs and love your body the way it is, power to you. I didn’t like mine, but it doesn’t mean I hate yours or anybody else’s.

Being open about my plastic surgery procedures has inevitably placed me under scrutiny but I would rather allow our readers to have access to my personal experiences so that they can make an informed decision if they are considering plastic surgery. It is a huge decision after all.

Read more about our experience here:
Part one
Part two

Is there anything about our procedures that you would like to know more of? Shoot us a question in the comments box below. 

I used to be deathly afraid of gold accessories because they reminded me of old-fashioned dowry from jewellery stores in the 80s but here are some tres chic gold accessories that changed my mind.

From top left:

1. Giles & Brother Skinny Cortina Cuff, US$100
2. Vita Fede Titan Stone Bracelet, US$460
3. Alexis Bittar Orbiting Hook Bangle Bracelet, US$155
4. Luv Aj The Crystal Cross Necklace, US$188
5. Madewell Tracecraft Bangle Bracelet, US$28
6. Amber Sceats Imitation Pearl Hook Earring & Stud Set, US$89
7. Jules Smith Safety Pin Knuckle Ring, US$49
8. Vanessa Mooney The Rebel Double Ear Cuff, US$55
9. Gorjana Marina Midi Ring, US$25
10. Gorjana Midi Ring Connector Set, US$60

What are your favourite gold accessories? Share them with us in the comments box below!

Just when you thought new photos of the Alexander Wang x H&M collection couldn’t come any sooner, they released a set of campaign photos featuring supermodels and sportsmen.

Supermodels Joan Smalls, Raquel Zimmermann, Isabeli Fontana and Natasha Poly were featured alongside famous English soccer player Andy Carroll and kickboxer Rivaldino dos Santos in the advertising campaign and we can’t help but lust over the dress featured in the first photo. Looks like we’d have to set aside more money for shopping come November 6th.

How do you like the pieces from the Alexander Wang x H&M collection so far? Let us know your thoughts and watch out for news and the latest updates on the collection.

Shop Alexander Wang here:

What’s made of calfskin, packs your essentials and makes you look like Bear Grylls trekking the urban jungle?

As much as the Alexander Wang Survival Kit Bag seems cumbersome (and probably heavy), it makes up for it with compartmentalized awesomeness. You can even carry around your water bottle in style; gone are the days where water bottles just seem so uncool and you have to make a trip to the convenience store for a bottle of Perrier or Evian to quench your thirst. Wear your Alexander Wang Survival Kit Bag proudly while an imaginary David Attenborough narrates your daily fashion adventures in this concrete jungle.

Alexander Wang Survival Kit Bag, US$1095

Awesome or impractical? What do you think of the Alexander Wang Survival Kit Bag? Let us know in the comments below!

Shop more items from Alexander Wang here:

I can’t believe it’s been more than 2 months since I was in London. I’m really missing Monmouth coffee and the food from Borough Market. Stumbled upon this cool wall of graffiti while roaming around and decided it’s a cool backdrop for an outfit post.

so what did the fox say?

I’m the worst when it comes to maintaining bags made of smooth leather. I managed to scratch this gorgeous bag from & Other Stories the day I brought it out.

Is anyone planning a trip soon? I’d love to hear about your travel plans!

Bralettes are the new objects of my infatuation – I just can’t seem to stop buying more! I love it when they subtly peek through shirts or loose tank tops, giving my outfits an undeniably sexy vibe. They are my new layering accessory this fall and I can’t wait to find more ways to incorporate them into my outfits. It also helps that they are incredibly comfortable…anyway, here are a few bralettes I’m currently lusting over! My mother always told me beauty starts from the inside, but I don’t think this is quite what she had in mind.

L-R

1. VPL Insertion Bra, US$95.00
2. L’Agent by Agent Provocateur Vanesa Demi Bra , US$92.00
3. Cosabella Dolce Soft Bra, US$52.00
4. L’Agent by Agent Provocateur Idalia Non Padded Demi Bra, US$92.00
5. For Love & Lemons Vanity Strappy Bralette, US$95.00
6. Honeydew Intimates Camellia Bralette, US$30.00
7. CURRICULUM VITAE Black Widow Bralette, US$95.00
8. Only Hearts So Fine Bralette with Lace, US$53.00
9. Eberjey Delirious Triangle Bralette, US$36.00
10. Only Hearts Net Bralette, US$55.00

My favourite way to wear bralettes is to pair it with a silk shirt. How would you wear yours?

Look who uncovered another set of photos from Paris? In case I missed out mentioning it, I was there in June for a vacation and our tiny and cosy Parisian apartment had a really nice window. Who would deny a photo op with them?

Dawn and I enjoyed a really chill afternoon playing with make-up and I picked the OCC Liptar in “Vintage”. It looks a lot darker in the tube and just a tiny dollop was needed for a smooth, consistent shade.

I’m also really smitten with lipsticks these days thanks to Dawn and my latest obsessions are the Audacious Lipsticks from NARS, and Beauty Tint Tok  from Korean brand Holika Holika for some pretty gradient lips.

What are your favourite lip products and shades? I’d love to expand my collection so please share them with me! 

Shop NARS Audacious Lipsticks below:

It’s great to be back in the groove of blogging after a long time and even better when I get to wear stuff that I just bought. Nothing like the smell of new bags! *sniffs*

Also, new hair colour! I’ve been stuck with relatively normal colours for a while now and having a little colour back in my hair was a welcoming change. My stylist, Peter from Hairloom decided to give me a turquoise mixed in with a lovely silver  and blue-black which will fade into a lighter colour.

I didn’t discover the awesomeness of dressy track pants until I was in Korea. I needed something to hide my bruises and was easy to slip on so this pair made of cotton drill (instead of jersey or terry cloth) was the perfect choice for me. Having pockets on womenswear is really hard to come by too so I wouldn’t pass up the chance to have a place to put my hands. #thestruggleisreal

I’ve been wanting a Prisma Marion bag from Alexander Wang for a long time but there were just too many hardware colours and materials to choose from; I finally settled on the Alexander Wang Prisma Marion Neoprene Bag which is mostly made of fabric and has black leather corners. Being the klutz that I am, I scratched my bag the first day I brought it out. Does anyone have any ideas or tips on removing those scratches? I’d love to hear them!

We bet you are as excited as we are about the Alexander Wang x H&M collection. Here are pictures of the full collection and prices for the Singapore store to get you started on your shopping list and budgeting. You’re welcome.

Alexander Wang x H&M Women’s Lookbook

Alexander Wang x H&M Womenswear

Alexander Wang x H&M Men’s Lookbook

Alexander Wang x H&M Menswear

Alexander Wang x H&M Objects

The Alexander Wang x H&M Collection launches on 6th November 2014. 

We’d love to know what you are coveting from the Alexander Wang x H&M Collection. Let us know in the comments box below!

Sorry for the lack of updates but this post took longer than I thought.

First off, I’d like to thank everyone for your support. I had people who followed me on Instagram ask about my experiences and I was really happy to be able to provide information and insight about my experience with Banobagi.

This post is about my recovery process in the first two weeks!

Day 2

Taking this where I left off, we were allowed to go back to the guest house on the day after the surgery. Fat grafting was really the least painful and it was really gratifying to see that my forehead has really rounded out and that my laugh lines were mostly gone. The bandages you see in the picture below mark the incision points where the fats were injected.

I wasn’t allowed to shower or wash my face but I cheated by using a wash cloth so that water doesn’t touch the incision points. I had lymph fluid matted in my hair and it was very hard not to clean my hair. Thinking back, I had no idea how I managed to clean myself as I could barely raise my arms.

My chest was bound tightly with bandages and it was really uncomfortable to move around. I felt pretty helpless at times as everything was a challenge to me. Getting up to go to the toilet, sitting up, walking around, opening and closing doors, getting dressed… everything hurt. I couldn’t on or out of bed without first reclining it. Sleeping on a reclined bed really hurt my tailbone andI would wake up several times a night because my butt would go numb from the pressure.

Day 5

Dawn and I had our post-op check-up on Day 4 and I got the all clear from Dr. Jae-Sang Ban when I removed the bandages around my chest. My implants still sit very high up and were really pointy but they will soften and droop eventually.  My scars, especially the one on my under arms, were healing really well according to my consultant, Claire. It still baffles me how neat the stitches were. I couldn’t even sew this straight using a needle and thread on fabric. My face had some bruising and swelling especially around the eye area but this is normal as the body is trying to heal.

Day 7

Stitches came off on Day 7! I thought it was going to be painful but the nurse made it really swift and painless. I definitely had more mobility and could sorta dress myself. We moved out of the guest room and into a hotel in Myeongdong for the last two days so I had to stack up plenty of pillows in order to sleep properly. I was also really glad that I didn’t have to sleep on a reclined bed and my tailbone stopped hurting cause of that. Sleeping on my side is impossible at this point but I was just really glad to be able to sleep thoughout the night for once. The bruises for my liposuction had more or less remained the same I started wearing the compression clothing.

Day 8-12

I made the mistake of wearing jeans on my flight back from Seoul which explains the weird seam marks on my inner thigh. If anything, it proved that pressure will really help in getting rid of the bruises. I had to wear compression clothing for my thighs, abdomen and arms. Although it is unlikely that it will affect the results if you don’t wear them, they really help in getting rid of the bruises and reduce the swelling. I’ve noticed a marked improvement when I started wearing the compression wear and the bruises started going away within days. I couldn’t go out without wearing long sleeves and pants as I didn’t want to scare anyone with my bruises.

My breasts would hurt in the middle of the night and I would wake up from the pain.  There are medications prescribed to me to prevent capsular contracture as you are not supposed to massage teardrop shaped or textured implants (mine is a textured teardrop shaped implant) and I have to take them for three months. Implants inserted under the muscle take much longer to heal but they look more natural especially if you are skinny or have small breasts to begin with. This is something you might want to consider if you wish to have implants too. Although my implants haven’t really settled, I really like the size and I loved that Dr. Ban took my needs into consideration by giving me implants that look natural and flattering for my body.

I am an impatient person and I freaked myself out several times wondering if my scars will remain or if my breasts will look hard and pointy forever or if my bruises will never go away but I’ve learnt to listen to my body and let it heal itself. Looking back, I think I made an amazing progress for just two weeks and if there was one advice I could give to anyone who is considering plastic surgery; it would be to have patience.

Sorry if I ranted too much but I’ll be posting more on my progress so do look out for it!

Check out our previous posts on our experience with Banobagi:

 Part 1: Seoul Bound

Part 2: Consultation

Part 3: Surgery & Recovery

Got any burning questions you’d like to know? Feel free to ask me in the comments box below! 

Now that Arissa has talked about her experience, it is time for me to share mine as well! For those who have missed out on the previous posts, you can track our updates via this tag – we will be writing about our progress frequently, so do check back often!

Dealing with the the technicalities first, much of my pre-surgery guidelines were identical to Arissa’s – I was to fast for 8 hours prior to the surgery which was a breeze given that my operation was scheduled for 9AM. All I had to do was to be mindful not to drink any water before bed and after waking up.  I refrained from putting on any makeup and removed my nail polish the night before. Do not worry if you forget, however – the nail salon inside Banobagi can deal with that easily. With the overnight stay at the hospital in mind, I packed accordingly – I had comfortable clothing, an extra set of underwear, as well as my computer. I knew that I would be wearing the hospital gown for most of the stay, but I wanted something easy to slip into when I get discharged.

I had a final consultation with my surgeon, Dr. Oh, right before the surgery. This was particularly important because I had so many questions as a result of endlessly fretting about the procedure the night before. I conveyed to Dr. Oh my expectations, and he patiently listened to me and explained to me what he felt needed to be done. I was afraid that I would lose all definition in my cheekbones due to the zygomaplasty and I wanted a sharper, more V-shaped face with a slightly more prominent chin. Dr. Oh assured me that there is still going to be definition in my face with the added benefit of a narrower jawline, and I went out of the consultation feeling relieved that we shared similar views. My jitters were also put to rest because I had a better idea of what to expect during the surgery – rather than wondering endlessly and feeling apprehensive about what was going to be done to my face, it was oddly calming to know the exact procedures. For me, the fear of the unknown far outweighs my fear of surgery itself.

I changed into the hospital gown and my belongings were placed together in a duffle bag provided by the clinic. After waiting for a few minutes in a comfortable reception area, I was taken to the floor where the operating theatres were situated. Even though it was rather early in the morning, I remembered that the floor was bustling with activities and I was immediately whisked off into one of the rooms. Through Claire, our consultation/translator, the nurses explained that an IV was going to be inserted into my wrist and I would be instructed to breathe through a mask. The last thing I remembered was a strange, tingling sensation on my face before I fell unconscious.

I took this picture whilst waiting in the reception. I wanted one last honest picture of myself so as to form a basis of comparison when everything has healed!

Also, it is quite funny to juxtapose it against these pictures, taken around 30 minutes after I was woken up from my six-hour long procedure.

Much of my memories from this moment remains foggy (attributed more towards the effects of anaesthesia rather than the failures of my own memory, I’d like to think). Oddly, the only sensation that stood out to me was not pain as I had previously anticipated, but rather a deep sense of weariness. I felt like I have undergone the most strenuous journey in my life without actually being conscious during it. Coming off the anaesthesia was the most uncomfortable part in this segment of the journey –  breathing was laboured as my mouth was obstructed and my sinuses were clogged with surgical fluid, and the remnants of the anaesthetic gas burned the back of my throat. This was simultaneously accompanied by a throbbing headache that made it even harder to focus on anything. No water was allowed for the first hour which was not exactly what my parched throat wanted to hear, but at the same time I did not even think that drinking was possible. The surgical drain inserted into my cheeks blocked most of the oral cavity and I was unable to move my jaw. My tongue felt swollen and sluggish and my mouth was filled with the taste of old blood. When I felt slightly more functional, I sent the following picture to my parents:

The drains were inserted into my lower jaw through my cheeks to drain internal bleeding, I presume. Nurses came around twice to empty the pouch during the night. I had to change the ice pack on my face every couple of hours. The process involved a slow shuffle to the refrigerator, at which point I took the opportunity to observe the other overnight patients. Many were similarly bandaged up and none of us really managed to sleep for anything longer than half an hour at a snatch. Time really crawls by under all these discomforts, but I managed to pass most of it drifting in and out of sleep and talking to my friends and family over facebook. Skyping was out of the question unfortunately since I was unable to speak at all. All communications to the staff had to be conveyed with vague noises and gestures, which is funny in retrospect but sort of a pain at that time. I thought back to my secondary school days when my class watched a film on Helen Keller – rather than empathize with the rather touching story, the lot of us budding sociopaths proceeded to mock her inability to communicate by grunting and slamming our fists down on tables for an entire week. I briefly questioned whether this is how karma comes full circle.

Anyway, the time came for us to be discharged and for the nurses to remove the drains. I did not know what I expected (and truth be told, did not even think very much about it), but I don’t think anything would have quite prepared me for this step. Let me preface this by stating that I do not think I have a low pain tolerance – I had all my wisdom teeth removed surgically simultaneously, have had 15 stitches sewn on my big toe when I nearly severed it, and degloved part of my knee amongst other injuries that were part and parcel of a very active childhood. When the nurse failed to notice that she had not removed one of the stitches cleanly and ripped the drains out (along with bits of my flesh) however, it was the first time in my adult life that I felt tears coming as a direct result of the pain. It all passed rather quickly even though the memory of this still makes me squirm slightly.

We were sent back to our lodgings with a course of antibiotics, ice packs, antiseptic mouthwash, as well as hydrogen peroxide to clean our stitches with. Claire kindly accompanied us to collect our medication and walked us back to our rooms, where we would remain for the next few days as we slowly regained strength. On the first day, I thought my swelling couldn’t get any worse. But the swelling only ballooned more on the second and third day and my face became so comical that my pictures sent my mum into fits of laughter. I will be posting these pictures on the next post, so do check back! x

Read more about our experience here:
Part one

Part two

Part three

Well, that was a little lie. These are not exactly all I want for Christmas, but they certainly are a step in the right direction! Christmas always comes as a headache for me – after 20 odd years of not celebrating Christmas with my family, I am suddenly thrown into a frenzy when I was invited to spend the holidays with my partner’s family last year. The bigger headache was not thinking about what to get for them, but rather suggesting what others could get for me. Naturally, there are other things to take into consideration (i.e. budget), but I went overboard creating an ultimate wish list of sorts! Here are the things I want for an utterly indulgent Christmas (mouseover for details):

1. Sophie Hulme Bow Mini Envelope Bag, US$565.00
2. Helmut Lang Sonar Wool Jacket, US$395.00
3. Alexander Wang Soft Pelican Satchel, US$895.00
4. PLUIE Antler Barrette, US$126.00
5. Kate Spade Skinny Bow Bracelet, US$78.00
6. 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli Medium Satchel, US$895.00
7. Alexander Wang Runway Key Clutch, US$350.00
8. Alexander Wang Lovisa Pumps, US$495.00
9. Saint Laurent Classic Preppy Round Sunglasses, US$310.00
10. Carolina Amato Shearling Cuff Leather Gloves, US$135.00

Hopefully this can also serve to help those who are puzzling over what to get! Other Christmas gift ideas are more than welcome – what’s on your list this year? I’m so enamoured by the Sophie Hulme bow bag that it might actually go on my real wishlist. x

Have you ever gotten an item and subsequently wondered how you managed to survive without it in the first place? Few possessions have made it to this list for me – there is my iPhone, personal cloud storage device…and then there’s Leyden.

As with Aide de Camp‘s entire range of camera bags, Leyden is pure functionality jammed packed into an attractive exterior. Of all the camera bags I have carried throughout my years shooting there hasn’t been any contemporary nearly comparable in style nor quality.

My lenses and camera body are well and truly safe thanks to the dual layers of protection Aide de Camp provides in their bags. Removable camera inserts make it possible for this bag to suit my every need – regardless of whether I’m carrying a compact 40mm lens or a 70-200! My usual gear is incredibly bulky (Canon 5DMkIII with 85mm f/1.2) and up until Leyden, I have never found a suitable way of discretely porting it around. The protection and discretion are truly invaluable assets when I’m out travelling!

There are compartments for just about everything. Clearly lots of thought has went behind the creation of this bag because I have never compartmentalised my items more efficiently than I have with Leyden! Passport, SD/CF cards, flash, passport, phone…everything has their designated place in this bag. Take out the inserts and you will still be left with a multitude of pockets and zippered compartments, and best of all, a padded shoulder strap that makes carrying even the heaviest of things a breeze. It’s small wonder why I’ve hardly been using anything else… I honestly think Leyden has curbed my desire to buy myself a graduation bag because I simply don’t see this level of thought and detail even in luxury brands these days.

Every photography enthusiast I have shown this bag to were so impressed by it that we wondered why Aide de Camp hasn’t taken the world by storm…yet. I have no doubts that they will make their way to everyone’s Christmas list! I certainly want another one… (it’s Valencia, hint hint). I’m sure this would make an incredible gift for anyone who wants something gorgeous and functional to house their camera gear in! Aide de Camp will well and truly live up to its name of being your most invaluable assistant!

Shop Aide de Camp bags

We know it’s not Black Friday yet but who can resist a bargain?

The biggest Shopbop sale is here again and the more you buy, the more you save! Personally, I like combining purchases with a few friends if I can’t meet the amount but honestly, there’s so much to choose from with NO brand exclusions and even includes the sale items!

Here are some of our fav picks:

Head on over to Shopbop to shop before everything is gone!

Here it is! Finally talking about the next step of our experiences with plastic surgery and Banobagi. Remember how I promised in the previous post there would be funny pictures? Well, here they are in all their brutally honest hilarity – I can laugh at them now along with everyone else, but it was hard not to feel sorry for yourself when you felt like crap and looked like you had the most severe case of mumps known to medicine.

I remember thinking in the haze of post-surgery anaesthesia that everything would only get better from here. After all, my face felt like they were distended to their maximum capacity and couldn’t possible get any larger. Note to self: apparently swelling reaches its critical peak one to two days post operation. Note to self 2: it can and it will get bigger.

The good news is that it truly will get better from this point onwards. The bad news is that it would not be a very enjoyable ride until then. I was icing my face fanatically, hoping that it would have an impact on the rate of swelling (or deswelling, to be specific). Two ice packs come with the compliments of Banobagi, an extremely thoughtful gesture on their part since the ice packs take turn chilling in the fridge. Sleep for the first few days largely revolved around ice pack changing times. Fortunately this task was made easier with the presence of a large fridge in the kitchen area of the guest house.

Upon arrival to the guest house, Banobagi has also thoughtfully provided us with instant porridges and soy milk. I have been unable to ingest anything besides water for the past 48 hours, so soy milk almost feel like a complete meal in exchange. Porridge was completely beyond my capabilities at this point and my only sustenance was a steady supply of soy milk and banana milk which I purchased from a convenience store right around the corner. I do believe that the other guests who did not have jaw surgery were provided with meals (which looked and smelled absolutely scrumptious). It sounds more miserable than I actually felt. My appetite was somewhat dampened and I did not really feel hungry very often.

Blood had also somehow collected under my eyes, giving the impression of rather severe eye bags. These went away after a couple of days though and did not affect me all that much. I think the most uncomfortable aspect of the whole recovery process was that I was not able to brush my teeth. I had to use antiseptic mouth washes provided by the clinic and was warned against using toothpaste until all the internal sutures have been removed.

The days passed by rather quickly. I spent my entire stay there catching up on TV series and movies, and generally just dicking about online. Short walks interspersed this routine and helped keep cabin fever at bay.

Banobagi is located in the Gangnam district of Seoul, and there wasn’t really much to do at night. I didn’t feel up to shopping and cafe hopping (the two major Korean pastimes, it seems) so I just wandered around the neighbourhood. I felt incredibly safe, and as mentioned no one gives you a second look even if you were all bandaged up like me. The highlight of my nightly walks is always this veterinary practice/boarding house. I just stood outside and stared at all the cute dogs like a creep.

My favourite one in particular was this dog which always seemed so friendly and relaxed! Anyone knows what breed this may be? I thought it might have been a beagle cross but I’m not too sure. Whatever it is, it is adorable.

Day 5 was when I was promised there would be a big change. The recovery brochure assured me that the swelling would decrease immensely once the bandages have been removed. I hadn’t even realised how tight they were until I was removing them – it was rather painstaking since they were incredibly sticky, and yanking at it really irritated the sutures in front of my ears. The removal process worked exponentially better after I have soaked the bandages in oil-based makeup remover. I believe coconut oil or even olive oil would work as well.

The bandages constricted the fluids to my face and the swelling went away incredibly quickly now that it was able to drain downwards. I found that sleeping with my head elevated really aided in the process as well.

Now that the both of us felt better, we moved out of the guest house and checked into a hotel in the heart of Myongdong! A large part of the recovery process was really in the mind and I really felt leaps and bounds better now that I was able to get outside and do things. With a pair of sunglasses and a face mask, I could almost pass as normal (albeit with passing resemblance to Michael Jackson). I have went without washing my hair for six days now, way too long in the summer heat. You can see from the picture on the left how grotty it looked. It felt even worse. (I think my mum would have an aneurism if she found out how long I went without a wash.) I was planning to find a hair salon for the sake of convenience, but having found none with a reasonable price I took the task upon myself. Here it is looking much cleaner on the right. The right side of my face remained much more swollen and I kind of looked as if I had a stroke.

I was finally able to ingest semi-solid food at this point as well! We treated ourselves to ginseng chicken porridge but some parts of it still remained too hard for me to eat. Smoothie King proved to be a godsend! It was rather agonising because I wish I had sampled all the street food when I still could.

Find out how it went in week 2 in the next post! I could already see a difference then, and would love to know what you think about it!

Read more about our experience here:
Part one

Part two

Part three

Part four

With the frigid weather underway, here’s what we prefer to be wrapped up in!

From left to right:

1. Veronica Beard Moto Blazer with Varsity Dickey, US$795
2. Helmut Lang Stretch Leather Pants, US$920
3. Theory Larissa II Luxe Top, US$215
4. Carolina Amato Short Leather Gloves, US$45
5. Kate Spade New York Embossed Alligator Metro Watch, US$175
6. Alexander McQueen Aviator Sunglasses, US$375
7. Marc by Marc Jacobs Don’t Panic Sweater, US$368
8. Jeffrey Campbell Shearling Lined Boots, US$290
9. Eugenia Kim Mimi Fur Hat, US$225
10. Alexander Wang Brenda Chain Bag, US$715

What will you be dressed in this winter? Let us know in the comments box below! 

I can’t believe it’s about four months since my surgery with Banobagi. For those of you who have sent well wishes through comments, emails and Instagram, thank you so much. I really appreciate the concern.

The picture below was taken around three months after the surgery. It’s hard to describe but I still behave like I have a flat chest. I’d be amazed at how good I look in bikinis or low-cut tops all while forgetting that I have to buy clothes with a little more give in the chest area now.

Was it worth it?
A million times yes. For years I wondered if I would miraculously start growing boobs. I’ve been waiting for them since puberty and when I look in the mirror now, I’m staring at a body that I’ve dreamed of for the longest time. I consider it a milestone in my life and it’s one of the best decisions I’ve made.

Didn’t you say it hurt?
It did. I won’t deny that there was pain involved and it lasted about a month for me. I would wake up hugging my boobs cause it felt really sore. I am also still coming to terms with the fact that I voluntarily put my body under distress.

Describe the pain of going through breast augmentation (Mastotomy).
For a detailed account of my pain, you can go to my earlier post where I described it when it was still fresh in my head. I remember a lot of discomfort when moving around. Anything which involved my upper body required extra effort and caused me plenty of grief. I couldn’t lift my arms and this didn’t just involved carrying things. Putting on clothes was a challenge and I usually end up wearing sleeveless dresses that I could just pull from the bottom up. As my implants were placed under the muscle (sub-muscular), it took a longer time to heal but it was a decision that Dr. Ban Jae-Sang and I agreed on as I had very little breast tissue to work with so sub-muscular implants would look much more natural.

What are the details of your surgery again?
I went for 260cc cohesive gel implants which are teardrop-shaped. The incision is transaxillary (from the armpits) and goes under the muscle. I wanted natural looking breasts and I went from an A-cup to about a C-cup. It sounds huge but it’s actually pretty comfortable for my frame as you can tell from the photo above. Remember how big the cup size is, is dependent on your rib cage measurements as well. (Check out /r/aBraThatFits for more information.)

Are there scars?
Of course! My scars are still red and very visible. I avoid lifting my arms in public because of that. They are about 6cm long but I would say that they are healing along very nicely although it will still take a while for them to be less obvious. The scar cream that was prescribed by the doctor from Banobagi really helped.

How long did it take to heal?
My scars took only a few days to heal and according to the nurses at Banobagi (after my first post-surgery check-up), it was healing along nicely. My stitches were removed after seven days. My breasts implants were bolted on my chest and they were really horrible and fake-looking. If i hadn’t read up on it, I would be really upset and thought that my breasts were gonna look like this forever. The body takes time to heal, skin and muscles will take time to stretch as well.

For the first two weeks, my implants looked like they were making my breasts point forward and they sat really high. However, I saw the improvement after the second week as it began to ease into my body. I could see the side rounded out like real boobs would and the side profile of my breasts looked like it was sloping instead of having a sudden roundness.

The pain took around four weeks to completely go away. Every single bump and step was a toll on my chest. I had to hug it to keep them from moving around and causing pain. I was advised not to wear a bra (just pasties) so that gravity would work its magic and make my implants fall and look more natural. I wear bras now but I am still staying away from underwired ones so that I can improve its appearance further.

They don’t feel like real breasts yet and I was told by a friend of mine who underwent breast augmentation too that it would take up to a year for them to feel really soft. I’ll keep everyone updated!

What advice would you have for those who are considering breast augmentation?
Do it for yourself and not because it is an idea that is imposed on you. It is your body.

Do your own research and make sure that you go to a reputable doctor like Banobagi. Read up on the reviews and experiences of those who have gone through procedures which you are considering.

Never settle for less. Breast implants are going to be inside you forever so please do not settle for a cheaper and dodgier option. You never know if you’re putting your own health at risk. You might end up spending more if complications arises.

Let me know if there are any questions you’d like me to answer! I’ll set up a similar Q&A style post for liposuction if anyone is interested!

If anyone has questions specific to Banobagi, you can also direct your queries to my consultant, Claire from Banobagi! She’s super nice and speaks perfect English. Drop her an email at en3banobagi@gmail.com. 

I have a small confession to make; ever since I bought a pair of dressy sweatpants from Korea, I’ve been obsessed with them. What’s not to love about them? They’re easy to put on and are really comfortable. Plus, they have pockets!

Pair them up with a some wedge sneakers for a sporty chic look or even a pair of heels to jazz it up a little. Here are a pick of my favourite sweat pants!

1. True Religion Banded Sweatpants, US$158
2. Monrow Track Sweatpants, US$135
3. Monrow Perforated Faux Leather Sweatpants, US$203
4. Rag & Bone/Jean Leyton Long Rise Sweatpants, US$220
5. T By Alexander Wang Shiny Bonded Fleece Pants, US$235
6. Helmut Lang Tera Print Sweatpants , US$265
7. Norma Kamali Kamali Kulture Core Go Jog Pants, US$88
8. Atm Anthony Thomas Melillo Knit Track Pants, US$476
9. Sundry Classic Sweatpants, US$94
10. Theory Warm Up Sypress Sweatpants, US$95

What’s your go-to piece of clothing when you’re too lazy to dress up but still want to look stylist? Let us know in the comments box below!