What made you decide to have a mommy makeover?

Julie says there wasn't one single reason she decided to have surgery. She had her first child at 35 and her second at 39, and as she got older, she noticed that her body wasn't returning to the way it had been before pregnancy. At the same time, she had gone through a divorce and was preparing to get back out into the world at 50.

She began looking in the mirror and feeling like she simply wasn't putting her best self forward. At the time, she didn't necessarily identify that feeling as a lack of confidence because she had always thought of herself as a confident person. Looking back, however, she realizes that something had changed.

"Gosh, I just don't feel my best."

Julie says she didn't fully understand how much the feeling had affected her until after surgery. She realized that her desire to change her body was connected to wanting to feel more like herself again.

Why wasn't plastic surgery in the United States an option for you?

For Julie, the biggest barrier was cost. She says that if she were only interested in changing one area, perhaps surgery in the United States would have been more realistic. But she wanted a more comprehensive transformation, and the price of having multiple procedures done in the U.S. made it feel impossible.

"It just wasn't even an option for me."

That was what initially made medical tourism more realistic for Julie. Once she began researching her options, Colombia became one of the destinations she seriously considered. She wasn't simply looking for the least expensive option; she wanted to find experienced surgeons, understand the quality of care she could expect, and feel confident about the entire process.

You are one year out. Was it worth it?

Julie doesn't hesitate when answering this question.

"Every bit. A hundred and fifty percent. A thousand percent. I can't even put a percentage on it."

But what makes her answer especially meaningful is that she doesn't stop with the physical results. Julie says she loves the way she looks, but the bigger transformation has been emotional and behavioral. She feels that the surgery changed the way she approaches her life, her work, and her role as a mother.

That distinction is important to her because she doesn't want her experience to be reduced to a before-and-after photo. The physical transformation was one part of the process; the confidence she gained afterward has influenced how she shows up in the world.

What was your biggest fear going into surgery?

Julie had done extensive research before deciding to move forward, so her biggest concerns weren't necessarily the surgery itself. She was more nervous about traveling to another country, staying away from home for two weeks, and being separated from her children for that long. As a single mother, stepping away from her normal responsibilities initially felt like a major decision.

The irony, she says, is that those two weeks ended up being one of the most valuable parts of the experience. Instead of trying to recover while simultaneously managing her household and responsibilities, she was able to completely focus on healing.

"We live in this 'I'm so busy' culture, and to actually give yourself what you need is a gift."

For Julie, taking that time for herself ultimately made her feel that she could return home and be a better, more present mother. What initially felt selfish became something she now sees as an investment in herself and her family.

What exactly did your mommy makeover include?

Julie's mommy makeover included a breast lift, tummy tuck, 360 liposuction, and fat grafting to her face. She appreciated being able to address multiple areas during one surgery rather than going through separate procedures and recoveries.

The surgery took approximately four hours, and Julie says three plastic surgeons worked together during the procedure. She was impressed not only by the technical aspect of having multiple specialists involved, but also by how personally the team treated her throughout the process.

As she prepared to go into surgery, one of the surgeons came in, held her hand, and reassured her. That small interaction stood out because Julie says she felt like the doctors were considering her as a person rather than simply approaching her body as a surgical project.

"They're very caring. It's not like, this is a procedure, we're going to do this. They really took me into consideration as a human being."

Why did you choose to have everything done at once?

Julie says being able to combine her procedures was an important part of her decision. Rather than undergoing multiple separate surgeries and recoveries, she preferred to complete the transformation in one procedure.

She was also impressed by the coordination involved in having three plastic surgeons work together. For her, it meant she could address the areas she wanted to change without having to repeatedly go through the process of surgery and recovery.

What was recovery actually like?

Recovery was one of Julie's biggest concerns before traveling, but she says the reality was much easier than she expected. She received significant support during her two-week stay, including nursing care, daily lymphatic drainage massages, and a direct line to communicate with her care team whenever she had questions.

That level of support allowed Julie to focus almost entirely on healing. Six days after surgery, she was able to take a slower-paced tour of Cartagena, taking breaks whenever she needed them. She wasn't pretending she was fully recovered; she simply had enough support to gradually begin enjoying her surroundings while still prioritizing rest.

Julie says she returned to working out at around two months, gradually rebuilding her strength after taking time away from exercise. She also learned that recovery continues well beyond the first few weeks. Even though she felt increasingly normal, her body was still healing.

"It's not overnight. They said it's actually a full year of recovery."

What was it like coming home after being cared for so closely?

Coming home was an adjustment because Julie suddenly had to return to her normal responsibilities while still recovering from major surgery. After two weeks of having people available to help with meals, questions, medications, and recovery, she remembers thinking, Wait, I have to cook my own food? What is going on?

That experience reinforced how valuable the support in Colombia had been. Julie says she had to consciously remind herself not to push too hard once she returned home because she was still recovering. Her daughters were also supportive and enjoyed helping take care of their mom.

Why did you choose Colombia?

Julie researched different destinations before making her decision, and Colombia stood out as a location with highly regarded plastic surgeons and medical care. She also happened to discover a personal connection with her surgeon: he had grown up in Missouri, attended the University of Missouri, and later attended USC.

But the biggest reason she felt comfortable with her surgical team was their story. Julie learned that the doctors had met while traveling the world and helping children with cleft palates. Their motivation for entering plastic surgery resonated with her because she felt their work was rooted in helping people rather than simply making money.

"Their reason for going into plastic surgery wasn't about a bottom line. It was about helping people be the best they could be."

That gave Julie another reason to feel confident about her decision. She wasn't just choosing a destination; she was choosing a team whose values and background made her feel comfortable.

How did you vet your surgeon and facility?

Julie says TreVita's role was an important part of her decision. Because TreVita is based in San Diego, she felt that she had an additional layer of familiarity and accountability before traveling outside the United States.

TreVita had already vetted the surgeon and facility, and Julie was also given the opportunity to speak directly with the main doctor before traveling. That allowed her to ask questions and get a better understanding of what to expect before she committed to surgery.

"I think it was more that TreVita vetted him than that I did, and then I vetted TreVita, if that makes sense."

For Julie, that process helped remove some of the uncertainty that can come with traveling abroad for medical care.

Were you nervous about having surgery outside the U.S.?

Julie says she understands why people are nervous about medical tourism. She received plenty of questions from friends and acquaintances who wondered why she would travel to another country for plastic surgery. For her, however, much of that fear came from the unknown rather than from anything she actually experienced.

Once she arrived in Colombia, she felt taken care of from the moment her driver picked her up. Staff members knew who she was, knew her story, and were already prepared to help her feel comfortable.

"The fear part is taken away the minute you step into the country."

Julie also appreciated the hospitality she experienced in Colombia and says communication was never a problem. Her experience reinforced for her that researching the quality of care and the qualifications of the medical team is more important than simply assuming the best care must be the most expensive.

What did you notice about the quality of the care and the results?

As someone who works in aesthetics, Julie says she naturally pays close attention to skin, healing, and cosmetic results. One of the things that continues to surprise her a year later is how impressed she remains with her scars and the surgical work.

She says her surgeon also took her previous C-section scar into consideration when discussing her healing and scar management. She was given instructions and products intended to support her recovery, and she says her scars have continued to improve over time.

Julie also emphasizes that patients shouldn't expect their final results immediately. She says she was told that recovery could continue for a full year, with gradual milestones along the way.

"It's not overnight."

That patience ultimately paid off for her as she continued to see changes throughout the year.

What changed emotionally after your surgery?

This is where Julie believes the biggest transformation happened.

Her clients and family members noticed the physical changes, but she says what they commented on most was that she seemed happier. Her brother described what he saw as a mental and emotional glow-up, and Julie says she agrees.

"The results on the physical side were great. But I can't express enough the mental side of it and the emotional side of the transformation."

Julie says she began to realize that she had spent more mental energy thinking about her appearance than she understood at the time. She wasn't necessarily aware that it was affecting her until she experienced what it felt like to stop carrying that concern with her.

The change wasn't simply that she liked how she looked more. She felt more at peace and more willing to engage with the people and opportunities around her.

What does being present look like for you now?

For Julie, one of the clearest examples happened during a trip to Florida with her daughters. She went to the beach with her 16-year-old daughter and got into the water to play in the waves.

Her daughter looked at her and said, "I am so happy that you're out here. You never come out here and dive in the waves with me."

That moment made Julie realize how much she had been missing without even knowing it. She hadn't been avoiding the beach because she didn't want to spend time with her daughter. She had been sitting on the sidelines because she didn't feel comfortable with people looking at her.

"That's what I was missing out on, and I didn't even know it."

For Julie, that moment represents the deeper meaning behind her transformation. The surgery changed her body, but the confidence she gained helped her participate more fully in her life.

How has the transformation affected your career?

The confidence Julie gained after surgery has also influenced her professional life. She says the experience gave her the push to pursue opportunities she may have previously hesitated to go after.

Rather than simply feeling better about her appearance, she began feeling more comfortable putting herself forward and pursuing what she wanted. In her mind, confidence isn't isolated to the way someone looks; it can influence whether they speak up, advocate for themselves, take chances, or pursue something new.

That is especially meaningful because Julie says she didn't realize how much a lack of confidence had been holding her back until she experienced the difference.

How does this connect to your health and your future?

Julie doesn't view surgery as a substitute for taking care of herself. She already worked out, ate well, and maintained an active lifestyle before surgery, and she emphasizes that patients still have to put in the work afterward.

For her, the bigger question became how she wanted to spend the years ahead. That's where her experience naturally connects to healthspan—the number of years you get to live in good health and actively participate in your life.

Julie isn't talking about healthspan as simply living longer. Her story is about making those years more active and meaningful: being willing to get in the ocean with her daughter, saying yes to experiences, pursuing professional opportunities, and feeling comfortable enough to be present rather than worrying about how she looks.

The physical procedure was one part of that equation. The confidence and willingness to participate that followed are what Julie says have made the biggest difference.

Did you feel guilty about doing something for yourself?

Julie admits that she did.

As a single mother of two daughters, she initially felt that taking two weeks away for something cosmetic was selfish or indulgent. She had to work through the idea that taking care of herself could somehow conflict with being a good mother.

Eventually, she realized the opposite could be true.

"It's okay to put yourself first."

Julie compares it to the familiar airplane safety instruction to put your own oxygen mask on before helping someone else. For her, taking time to recover and invest in herself ultimately helped her show up differently for her daughters.

The beach experience with her 16-year-old daughter made that especially clear. If Julie had continued sitting on the sidelines, she might have missed that moment entirely.

"If I hadn't done that, I'd still be sitting in my chair watching her."

What do your family and friends notice now?

Julie says her family has been incredibly supportive, but what's interesting is that they don't only comment on her physical transformation. Her brother specifically pointed out the mental and emotional change he had noticed.

Her clients have said something similar. People who have known Julie for years tell her that she looks great, but more importantly, they say she seems happier and more at peace.

That feedback reinforces what Julie herself has felt throughout the past year: the most meaningful change isn't necessarily something another person can see in a photograph. It's the way she carries herself and interacts with the world.

What advice would you give someone considering a mommy makeover?

Julie says she would encourage anyone considering surgery to do their research, ask questions, and advocate for themselves. In hindsight, she wishes she had been more comfortable telling her surgeon exactly what she wanted instead of assuming certain things weren't options.

"If there's something you want, ask."

She says that when people don't feel confident, they may not advocate for themselves as strongly as they should. Her own experience taught her that asking questions and communicating clearly with your surgeon are important parts of the process.

She also wouldn't hesitate to do it again.

"A hundred percent."