When Melbourne-based facialist April Brodie reached her late 50s, she found herself confronting a familiar dilemma faced by countless women approaching their post-menopausal years. The reflection staring back at her no longer matched the vibrant woman she felt herself to be internally. Rather than booking a consultation locally, the 59-year-old made a radical decision that would take her halfway across the world.
The Journey to Transformation
In what many might consider an extreme measure, April boarded a plane and travelled approximately 8,000 kilometres to South Korea, a nation renowned for its elite cosmetic surgeons, innovative techniques and post-operative care standards that many Australians and Brits can only dream of accessing. Her motivation stemmed from that profound disconnect many women experience when looking in the mirror after menopause.
"I didn't see the person that I felt I was on the inside," April revealed to Daily Mail, describing the moment she first contemplated facial reconstructive surgery a year prior to her procedure.
What followed was an extensive seven-hour surgical overhaul featuring a deep-plane facelift that would ultimately leave her looking decades younger. The procedure has surged in global popularity recently, largely thanks to Hollywood matriarch Kris Jenner, who openly discussed undergoing the same surgery herself in early 2025.
Understanding the Deep Plane Facelift Difference
The 70-year-old Kardashian-Jenner matriarch stunned fans with her dramatically refreshed appearance, triggering worldwide curiosity about the technique responsible for her smooth jawline, lifted mid-face and naturally rejuvenated look. This has established a new beauty benchmark for women over 50 seeking cosmetic enhancement.
So what exactly distinguishes a deep plane facelift from traditional methods? Unlike conventional facelifts that primarily tighten skin, the deep plane technique operates beneath the SMAS – the strong fibrous layer providing structural support to the face. Surgeons release deeper ligaments responsible for sagging and reposition the mid- and lower-face from the inside out.
By working under the muscle layer rather than simply pulling skin tighter, this approach creates longer-lasting, more natural results without that obvious "worked on" appearance. It's widely considered the gold-standard in facelift techniques, explaining why demand has skyrocketed among women seeking meaningful facial rejuvenation.
April's surgical journey began on September 12, 2025, when she underwent her marathon procedure in Seoul. Her transformation included: a deep plane facelift, brow and chin lifts, plus autologous fat transfers to restore facial volume.
Why Choose South Korea Over Local Options?
April's decision to bypass Australian surgeons wasn't made lightly. Through her extensive research, she noticed striking cultural differences in how cosmetic surgery is perceived. While many Australians and Brits still treat aesthetic procedures with secrecy and judgment, South Korea approaches them as routine maintenance.
"It's a country of 52 million people, they're highly educated, and when it comes to plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures, they truly lead the world," April explained. "If I was going to do it, I wanted to be in the best hands, and their innovation and techniques are incredible."
She acknowledged the inherent risks of travelling abroad for major surgery, being far from home and support networks, but after months of research and interviewing five or six cosmetic consultancy firms, she confidently selected one of Korea's most reputable specialists – the CEO surgeon of a major cosmetic hospital in Seoul.
The financial incentive proved substantial. April's entire trip, including the complex multi-procedure surgery, cost nearly half what she'd been quoted in Australia. Her detailed cost breakdown reveals significant savings:
SOUTH KOREA:
- Surgery - $45,000 AUD (with approximately $4,000 tax rebate)
- Aftercare - Included in surgical costs
- Flights - $5,500
- Hotel - Free (using accumulated points)
- TOTAL: Approximately $46,500 AUD
AUSTRALIA:
- Surgery alone - $90,000+ AUD
The Seoul Surgical Experience
From the moment April landed in Seoul, she realised this was no ordinary cosmetic surgery journey. After being collected from the airport by minibus, she was whisked straight to her first face-to-face consultation at what she described as an incredibly luxurious hospital facility.
"The hospital was eight or nine storeys high, with each level dedicated to different specialties – dermatology, breasts, face – then private suites on the top floors," she recalled.
South Korean surgeons typically won't finalise surgical plans until examining patients in person. After April's comprehensive assessment, her medical team confirmed the procedures they'd debated during online consultations: a bespoke combination designed to reposition, refresh and restore her face as naturally as possible.
Her customised surgical package included:
- Deep Plane Facelift targeting mid-face and lower face by repositioning the SMAS layer
- Neck Lift tightening platysma bands and removing excess skin beneath jawline
- Lateral Brow Lift providing subtle outer-brow elevation
- Autologous Fat Transfer using her own fat to restore facial volume
Remarkable Recovery and Results
Despite the procedure's intensity – seven hours under advanced twilight sedation, standard protocol in Korea to minimise trauma and accelerate healing – April awoke in complete disbelief at her comfort level.
"I had zero pain. No nerve pain. Nothing," she insisted. "People can't understand it. I just felt really tight because I was so swollen, but there was no unpleasantness at all."
Her comprehensive post-care began immediately with vitamin drips administered as she left recovery. The following day, she was walking around the facility preparing to return to her hotel. Her recovery regimen included daily LED treatments, hyperbaric chamber sessions, lymphatic support, hair washes and constant monitoring.
"I had severe exhaustion because my body was going into complete healing mode, but I did still manage to hold business meetings over Zoom!" she revealed.
Ten weeks post-surgery, April finally feels aligned with her internal self when looking in the mirror. "People are shocked, pleasantly shocked. However, I did this for me, and I had the best outcome," she reflected, embodying the growing trend of women taking radical steps to reclaim their appearance and confidence.
