Turkish Cosmetic Surgery Leaves Woman Feeling ‘Worse Than Before’

Leah Mattson, a Hereford resident, is cautioning others against undergoing cosmetic procedures abroad after her experience with surgery in Turkey, which she characterized as “horrific.” In July, Ms. Mattson, a healthcare professional, invested more than £6,000 in a tummy tuck, breast lift, and arm lift. The procedures were intended to address loose skin following her 12-stone (76kg) weight loss. However, she reports being left with an asymmetrical bellybutton and significant scarring on her arms and abdomen, outcomes she states have made her feel worse than before. She stated, “I paid just under six and a half grand to feel worse than I did before the surgery.” The mother expressed horror upon seeing her body once the bandages and compression pads were removed after two months. “After nine weeks, when I could finally come out of the bandages, I really started to look at myself and noticed how bad the results were,” she recounted. She added, “Nothing, not one thing was symmetrical.” Ms. Mattson also noted, “I had loose skin still, which I paid to be removed, I’ve still got bingo wings that are more obvious because I’ve got horrible scars.” According to Ms. Mattson, the Turkish clinic declined to issue a refund. The establishment has also not yet responded to inquiries from the BBC. Aenone Harper-Marchin, affiliated with the British Association of Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS), commented that the scarring observed on Ms. Mattson’s body is characteristic of commercial plastic surgery procedures performed internationally. She stated, “Not to say that there aren’t excellent plastic surgeons who do a fantastic job in other parts of the world but the regret of the surgery knowing there’s no ability to come back from that constructive or reconstructive procedure is common.” Ms. Harper-Marchin indicated that the cost often draws individuals to seek surgery overseas. She remarked, “There is a very hard sell from these companies.” “Patients are told that their surgeons are certified, but where we’re seeing problems is that these people are not actually board-certified plastic surgeons,” she explained. The NHS is reportedly experiencing a rise in patients needing emergency care due to complications from surgeries conducted abroad. Ms. Mattson is currently sharing her experience on Instagram, aiming to deter others from pursuing cosmetic surgeries marketed as holiday packages. She reflected, “Before the actual operation, I had a reason to have loose skin, it was almost like a medal – like I’d gone through such a journey losing weight.” Ms. Mattson continued, “I never expected this to happen to me. “Companies draw you in, and they make these packages look like a dream holiday, but it’s not. It’s surgery, it’s serious and it’s so hard to take legal action [because it’s not in the UK].” She also revealed, “I put off putting a deposit on a house for this because me and my partner agreed I’d gone through such a big journey to lose this weight and I just needed it for my mental health, but obviously I can’t turn back time, it’s horrific.” For individuals affected by the topics discussed in this article, guidance can be obtained from the BBC Action Line. Updates from BBC Hereford & Worcester are available on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X, and Instagram. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding its approach to external linking is available.