Nicola ‘Nix’ Adams’ Mommy Makeover in Turkey: A Bold Journey of Healing and Transformation
Written by Arina Yunusova
Table of Content
Nicola “Nix” Adams, the New Zealand social media personality known online as CWK Nix, had her mummy makeover in Istanbul in early 2025. Plastic Surgery Turkey Group (PSTG) coordinated her treatment, hotel stay, transfers and aftercare, and the treating surgeon operated at a contracted healthcare institution. In the interest of transparency: PSTG offered Nicola one procedure free of charge because of her social media reach. She used it for her breast augmentation and paid for the rest of her plan herself, as the New Zealand Herald reported.
Most of the details about Nicola below come from Kirsty Wynn's New Zealand Herald report of 8 March 2025. This page sets out what she had done, how she described her recovery, and what her story can and cannot tell you if you are thinking about a mommy makeover in Turkey yourself.
Who is Nix Adams?#
Nicola Adams is a mother of two daughters from New Zealand, with around two million followers across her social media accounts. She was 39 at the time of the Herald report, and her youngest child had been born about two years earlier.
Her son died in 2013, and she has spoken about the years of grief that followed, when she neglected her own body. She told the Herald that she thought it was time she did something for herself.
What surgery did Nix Adams have?#
As she described it publicly, her mummy makeover included:
- breast augmentation;
- a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), with the belly button repositioned higher;
- 360° liposuction, which she said covered her back and buttocks;
- liposuction of the thighs and of the chin;
- repair of an earlobe that had been torn about ten years earlier.
Her procedures were carried out by the treating surgeon at a contracted healthcare institution in Istanbul. Results vary from patient to patient and depend on anatomy, healing and aftercare.
The table below explains in general terms what each part of a plan like hers addresses. It is background reading, not a description of what any one person needs.
| Procedure | What it generally addresses | Points to discuss with your surgeon |
|---|---|---|
| Breast augmentation | Volume lost after pregnancy and breastfeeding | Implant type and size, future breastfeeding, long-term implant checks |
| Tummy tuck | Loose skin and separated abdominal muscles | Scar position, recovery time, plans for future pregnancy |
| 360° liposuction | Stubborn fat around the waist, back and flanks | It removes fat but does not tighten loose skin |
| Thigh and chin liposuction | Localised fat in smaller areas | Skin quality, which decides how well the skin settles |
| Earlobe repair | A split or stretched earlobe | Usually a minor procedure under local anaesthesia |
Did Nix Adams have a facelift?#
No facelift was part of the plan she described. The only facial procedure she mentioned was chin liposuction, which removes fat under the chin. A facelift is a different operation that lifts and repositions the deeper tissues and skin of the face and neck, with its own recovery and risks.
Why she chose Turkey#
Nicola told the Herald she researched her options for a long time and was impressed by the care and the technology she found in Turkey. Cost was one of her reasons too. She chose PSTG to coordinate her treatment in Istanbul, including her hotel stay, transfers and aftercare.
If you are comparing options, look at what a written quote includes rather than a headline figure; our guide to what shapes the cost of a mommy makeover explains how to compare quotes like for like.
Her recovery, as she described it#
Fourteen days after surgery, Nicola shared before-and-after photos with her followers. A tattoo that once read “Nightmare” had been changed by her tummy tuck: the skin that was removed took that word away, leaving only “Beautiful”. For her, the change mirrored her emotional healing and stood for a fresh start.
Photos at two weeks show an early stage. Swelling settles over months, and the final shape after a tummy tuck and liposuction is usually judged much later.
Nicola was open about the hard parts as well, because her own research had turned up plenty of before-and-after posts and very little about the weeks in between:
- she had a low red blood count and needed two blood transfusions;
- she rated the back pain from her liposuction as nine out of ten;
- after returning home to New Zealand she went through what she called post-op depression, and said she had not known it was a recognised condition.
It is useful that she described this openly. Combining several procedures in one session generally means more time under anaesthesia and more blood loss than a single operation, which is one reason a surgeon assesses your health beforehand and may decide to split a plan into two stages.
Low mood can happen in the weeks after cosmetic surgery. If it happens to you, tell the surgical team and your own doctor at home; if it is severe or lasting, or you feel unsafe, contact your doctor or local emergency or crisis services straight away.
For a realistic picture of the first weeks, read our mommy makeover recovery guide, and for the specific risks of abdominal surgery and flying home, see is a tummy tuck in Turkey safe?.
The criticism, and her answer#
According to the Herald, most of the reaction to her photos was positive, but some followers argued that someone who speaks about self-acceptance should not have cosmetic surgery. Nicola's answer was simple: she did it for herself. She also said the role model she cares about being is one for her two daughters, and that anyone considering surgery should do their research and weigh the risks before deciding.
What PSTG coordinated for Nicola's stay#
PSTG is a health-tourism intermediary: we coordinate, and the treating surgeon decides. For Nicola, that meant arranging her hotel stay, transfers and aftercare in Istanbul. Our coordination for international patients typically includes:
- access to a contracted institution authorised for international health tourism;
- a treating surgeon who makes every clinical decision;
- hotel accommodation, transfers and aftercare;
- personal consultation and support at each stage;
- a written treatment plan after the medical assessment.
What her story can and cannot tell you#
One person's journey cannot tell you whether you are a suitable candidate, which procedures you need, or how you will heal. A surgeon decides that after examining you and reviewing your medical history.
A combined mummy makeover is generally not suitable if you plan another pregnancy soon, are still losing weight, smoke and cannot stop before surgery, or have health conditions that make a long operation riskier. Our article on what can be combined in a mommy makeover, and what should not explains why some plans are split into two operations.
If you live in New Zealand, as Nicola does, two further points are worth weighing:
- the Herald report notes that the New Zealand Association of Plastic Surgeons warns cosmetic surgery abroad carries risks, including limited follow-up once you are home;
- the same March 2025 report notes that ACC does not cover complications from surgery performed overseas, so check what your travel or medical insurance covers and agree with your GP how aftercare will work after you fly back.
If you would be travelling on your own, our guide to travelling to Istanbul alone for a mommy makeover covers the practical side.
Thinking about your own plan?#
If you are considering a mommy makeover, or a combination of procedures tailored to your goals, PSTG coordinates your assessment, travel and aftercare, while the treating surgeon decides what is suitable for you.
Here are some places to start:
- Mommy makeover before-and-after photos
- Reviews from other patients
- Contact us for a no-obligation assessment: send your photos and medical history, and the surgeon reviews them before you receive a written plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did Nix Adams get her mummy makeover?
What surgery did CWK Nix have?
Did Nix Adams have a facelift?
How long is the recovery time for a mommy makeover?
Is it safe to undergo multiple surgeries at once?
Can I expect the same result as Nicola?
Arina Yunusova
With years of hands-on experience guiding patients through their aesthetic journeys, Arina Yunusova serves as the compassionate and knowledgeable bridge between international clients and world-class plastic surgeons at Plastic Surgery Turkey Group. Fluent in multiple languages and deeply familiar with the unique concerns of medical travelers, Arina has successfully supported hundreds of patients from their first inquiry to full recovery.
