Single Mom, 52, Could ‘Never Have Afforded’ Plastic Surgery — Until a Twist of Fate Gave Her a Free $200K Facelift

This year is shaping up to be Abbe’s year.

A Contest That Wasn’t Meant for Her

Abbe’s story began when Dr. Nayak — founder of Nayak Plastic Surgery — announced on social media that he was searching for a volunteer patient to operate on during his TeoNayak Masterclass in Turkey. The winner would receive a complimentary deep-plane facelift performed live in front of an audience of surgeons.

Thousands applied, and though Abbe made it to the finalist round, she wasn’t chosen.

“I never thought I’d even be considered,” she tells PEOPLE. “It was exciting to make the finals, but I didn’t expect to win. And honestly, I was fine with that — it was still amazing to get that far.”

A Chance Airport Encounter

Months later, fate intervened. While traveling, Abbe unexpectedly crossed paths with Dr. Nayak at an airport. A longtime admirer of his work, she introduced herself again and jokingly said she’d love to volunteer if he ever needed another model.

“Abbe approached me and said she was thrilled for the woman who’d been picked,” Dr. Nayak recalls. “Then she said, ‘If you ever need someone again, keep me in mind.’ As it turned out, I did need a model for my May seminar in Istanbul.”

This time, Abbe’s timing was perfect — she got the call.

“She was in the right place at the exact right moment,” says Dr. Nayak.

A Free Facelift Worth $200,000

While Dr. Nayak’s deep-plane facelift and neck lift typically start around $200,000, Abbe’s procedure was entirely free — with one catch: it would be performed live before an audience of 1,000 surgeons from around the world.

She just needed to cover her flight to Turkey, which felt like a small price to pay.

During the live masterclass, Abbe underwent a brow lift, upper eyelid surgery, extended deep-plane facelift, deep neck lift, and a TCA chemical peel under her eyes to smooth fine lines and pigmentation.

The Pain and Recovery

Although the surgery went smoothly, recovery was more difficult than expected.

“I’d heard it was almost painless for most patients, but mine was definitely not,” Abbe admits. “The pain hit about nine out of ten the first couple of days. I couldn’t sleep, and I was on an IV drip of fentanyl. It was really rough at first — then after a few days, it got much better. The tightness was intense, though.”

Dr. Nayak explains that performing abroad meant he didn’t have all his usual tools and medications on hand. “That can make a difference in comfort and bruising,” he says, noting that Abbe’s case was slightly tougher than normal. “Still, I knew everything would even out as she healed — and it did.”

A Transformation Close to Home

Because Abbe lives in St. Louis, she was able to see Dr. Nayak regularly after the operation. She says she had long admired his work from afar — even driving by his office just to look at the building.

“I live about 15 minutes away,” she says. “I used to think, ‘One day…’ But I never would’ve pursued surgery on my own. There’s no way I could’ve afforded it.”

A licensed clinical social worker, Abbe has spent nearly two decades focusing on caring for others — her clients, her daughters, and her aging family. “Life had really taken a toll on me,” she admits. “I’m a caregiver at home and at work. I looked depleted because I was depleted.”

A New Chapter

Now, with her daughters nearing college age, Abbe feels ready to focus on herself for the first time.

“Feeling refreshed and more youthful has given me confidence,” she says. “Once my girls go off to college, I want to start dating again — something I haven’t done at all since becoming a single mom.”

Her daughters fully supported her journey. They stayed with their grandmother while she recovered in Turkey, cheering her on from home. “They were so proud of me,” Abbe says with a smile. “They even told me I should buy lottery tickets since I’m on a lucky streak.”

A Second Chance at Confidence

Now three months post-surgery, Abbe says she feels “revived” — both inside and out.

“I feel like I’ve gotten a piece of myself back,” she shares. “I have this renewed sense of vitality and optimism about the future. It’s such an incredible gift. I’ll be grateful to Dr. Nayak forever.”