Coroner Concludes Woman’s Death After Butt Lift Procedure Followed ‘Barbaric’ Practice and Neglect

A coroner has determined that a mother of three, who passed away following a Brazilian butt lift (BBL) procedure, had been subjected to a “frankly barbaric medical practice” without providing informed consent. Demi Agoglia, a resident of Salford, traveled to Turkey in January for the operation, having seen advertisements for Comfort Zone, an Istanbul-based company, on social media. The 26-year-old passed away on 8 January in an Istanbul hospital, three days post-operation, following what an inquest described as a series of inadequate care incidents. John Pollard, the Bolton coroner, determined that her death resulted from a microscopic fat embolism, which occurs when injected fat enters the bloodstream, and he classified her death as “misadventure contributed to by neglect.” Christine Tydd, her mother, stated that she had informed her daughter that she was a “good looking girl” and did not require the procedure shortly before Ms. Agoglia departed for Turkey on 4 January with her partner, Bradley Jones. “She was conscious about the way she looked. There was no changing her mind,” Ms. Tydd testified at the hearing. Mr. Jones, a landscaper, also expressed his disapproval of Ms. Agoglia undergoing the surgery, but she had arranged the trip several months prior after “she had seen some celebrity” promoting the procedure. The BBL procedure involves extracting fat from one part of the body and injecting it into the hips and buttocks. Mr. Pollard stated: “I find there was no proper informed consent in this matter, there was no proper pre-operative care and advice, and no proper post-operative care.” He added: “All of this meant the care in total fell well below the standard expected of this type of treatment and the lack of care contributed significantly to Demi’s death.” The day following the surgery, Ms. Agoglia communicated to her mother, “I’ve got the bum I always wanted.” The subsequent day, her mother received a text message from Ms. Agoglia’s partner stating: “She’s gone.” Mr. Jones informed the inquest that after the operation, Ms. Agoglia was “shaking” and seemed “very, very cold.” Staff members from Comfort Zone, who the coroner later indicated were not qualified nurses, were summoned to the villa where Ms. Agoglia was residing after she reported experiencing a tight chest. The inquest revealed that they checked her blood pressure but did not examine the surgical site or monitor her heart rate and pulse. Ms. Agoglia collapsed at the villa the subsequent day and was transported back to the hospital, where she died. Her sister, Chloe, conveyed in a statement read by family friend Ellie Foulkes outside the court, that the family was enduring “the worst possible heartbreak.” “Our Demi was a beautiful, outgoing, very confident girl and she didn’t need the surgery at all.” “She went for the sake of her feeling like she wasn’t good enough in herself,” the statement continued. “Our Demi hasn’t just left her family behind she has left the most beautiful little boys.” “Forever and always in our heart Demi.” The statement concluded: “Sleep tight.” The family urged individuals considering surgery in Turkey to conduct “more research.” Conversely, a spokesperson for Comfort Zone asserted that Ms. Agoglia was “thoroughly informed of the risks involved with cosmetic surgery” and dismissed claims that staff were unqualified as “categorically untrue,” stating that “all staff members are fully qualified nurses, trained to manage post-operative care.” The coroner informed Ms. Agoglia’s family of his intention to write to Health Secretary Wes Streeting. He further commented: “I do feel something further needs to be done to stop this frankly barbaric medical practice being conducted to such low standards that would certainly not be tolerated in the UK.” A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care stated: “Our thoughts are with Demi’s family and friends at this difficult time.” The spokesperson added: “It is unacceptable that people’s lives are being put at risk by inadequately trained operators in the cosmetic sector. The government is urgently exploring options for further regulations in this area.” “The safety of patients is paramount, and we would urge anyone considering cosmetic procedures to consider the possible health impacts and find a reputable, insured and qualified practitioner,” the department advised. Additional reporting by the Press Association.