Toni Goldenberg

DO YOU REMEMBER THE VERY MOMENT YOU DECIDED TO GO AHEAD WITH TREATMENT?

I actually remember becoming aware of my skin wrinkling from very early on - my mid-twenties even.

Unfortunately, it's only now - in my 80's if you can believe it - that I've really had the means and the opportunity to go ahead with it. I've worked so hard all of my life, now is finally the time I get to enjoy it.

WHAT WERE YOUR PROBLEM AREAS?

I absolutely hated my Turkey Neck. I think the difficult part about getting to my age is that you really still feel young at heart. Inside you don't feel like much has changed at all, but then you catch sight of yourself in the mirror and that can be really upsetting.

I felt very caught up in that. I wanted to spend time playing with great grandkids. I just felt very conscious all of the time, and instead of cherishing all of my wonderful family photos, I just saw how old I looked.

HAPPY WITH THE RESULTS?

You have no idea how long I have been waiting and saving for this, it feels as though all of my Christmas' have come at once! I'm just put out that I didn't start saving in my 60's - I could have bought myself another 10 years of feeling like this!

WHAT WAS IT ABOUT THE HARLEY STREET SKIN CLINIC THAT TOOK YOUR FANCY?

You have to remember that when you get to my age, this kind of treatment has tenfold more possible complications. I knew that after so long saving up my penny pot, I wasn't going to just jump straight into treatment with the first person I met with. With all of those years of expectation, you know it has to go perfectly. Even though I was so keen to get going, I just kept thinking 'I only get one go at this.'

I had to be sure that I could really trust my surgeon because - it may sound morbid - but at my age, you have to consider the possibility that you won't come out the other end. When I met with the practitioner I just knew. It was right. I felt 'yes, this is the one'.

CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE PROCEDURE DAY?

I was so excited. My daughter, and my granddaughter who have both been seeing Dr Khan for less invasive bits and pieces for a while now came with me for moral support.

Afterwards, I was a bit sore, but that's to be expected. I remember just waking up and being desperate to take a look already. After 7 years of saving, I felt like I'd waited long enough! [laughs]

HAVE THERE BEEN ANY PERKS THAT YOU WEREN'T EXPECTING?

I think my family have been witness to the biggest changes - I feel like a brand new woman. I'm trying on new clothes, I'm experimenting with new makeup, and talking to anybody that will listen! It's been the confidence I needed to out and make the most of the time I have left - even meet some new friends.

WHAT WOULD YOU TELL PEOPLE THAT WERE ON THE FENCE ABOUT TAKING A SIMILAR ROUTE?

Let me just say this: I've been collecting loose change in a giant Coca-Cola bottle in my front room since my early seventies, and even with it taking that long, I can tell you it was worth every single penny. If I'd have had the means to do this years ago I would have.

WOULD YOU CONSIDER POPPING BACK TO THE CLINIC IN FUTURE?

Oh, I'm made up with the improvements that the practitoner has made. If, in time, I decided to have something else done I would be very happy to put my faith in Harley Street Skin again. Perhaps I'll come back just before my 90th birthday! [laughs]