An Australian mother who spent two weeks on life support after botched cosmetic surgery in Vietnam while on a family holiday has now returned home to continue her recovery in hospital.
West Australian mother-of-three Chloe Mowday, 33, had been on holiday in Vietnam with her young family after traveling to Bali, Hong Kong and Singapore.
Plans to continue their adventure across Southeast Asia were abruptly ended in November after she underwent rhinoplasty and blepharoplasty on her nose and eyelids.
He spent the night at the anonymous clinic in the coastal city of Da Nang and was discharged the next morning.
Mrs Mowday returned to her hotel and her husband Josh found her unresponsive hours later as her organs began to shut down.
He was resuscitated en route to hospital, where he spent two weeks in a coma and underwent further surgery to remove an infection that had spread. Pneumonia and sepsis led to further setbacks.
Language barriers, rising medical costs and uncertainty surrounding her care added to the stress on her family.
Ms Mowday was flown back to Australia in time for Christmas after doctors advised her return home was her best chance of survival.
A family holiday across Asia turned into a nightmare after Chloe Mowday was left fighting for her life after cosmetic surgery in Vietnam
The mum spent two weeks in a coma after suffering serious complications, hours after being discharged from a Da Nang clinic, before being flown home in a $125,000 medical evacuation.
Her brother, Rod, took out bank loans to pay the $125,000 bill for an air ambulance.
Mrs Mowday is now awake and talking but still seriously ill in intensive care.
“She’s doing a little bit better, but she’s still in intensive care and it’s going to be a long road to her recovery,” her brother said. PerthNow.
“She smiled and cried when I told Chloe ‘I’m here to take you home.’ She doesn’t remember much and she’s choked up, we have a long way to go.’
The family paid tribute to the hospital staff in Vietnam who helped keep her alive.
They are also grateful for it overwhelming support from Australians, who donated more than $60,000 for medical evacuation and ongoing treatment.
“Thank you to the wonderful team at Family Medical Practice Vietnam for bringing Chloe home safely. you all did everything to help us and the team at Da Nang Hospital to keep Chloe alive and safe,” said a recent update on the fundraiser.
Now back in Australia, the mother of three is awake and recovering in intensive care
“Chloe has a very long road to recovery and rehabilitation. He’s still in the hospital, but he’s in very good hands.
“We have a long way to go, but her return to Australia is a miracle.
“We will keep this page open if you still want to help Chloe and her beautiful family.”
Photos posted online before the medical emergency showed Ms Mowday visiting Disneyland with her children in Hong Kong and enjoying the scenery from her time in Vietnam and Bali.
The family planned to travel to China after the surgery.
Da Nang is known for its growing cosmetic surgery scene, where a rhinoplasty costs AU$2,076.
The same procedure costs $9,200 in Australia, according to the Medical Tourism Corporation website.
A blepharoplasty – which removes excess fat, skin and swelling on the eyelids – costs $2,025, which is less than a third of what patients would pay in Australia.
Ms Mowday used pictures of Kylie Jenner as inspiration for her nose
Posted in a popular Australian cosmetic surgery support group in 2022
Ms Mowday was unhappy with the shape of her nose from a young age and began researching surgery options abroad almost four years ago.
Posting to a popular Australian cosmetic surgery support group in 2022, Ms Mowday explained she was looking for advice on destinations to consider.
“A little background – I live in Perth, Western Australia. I’ve always wanted a nose job, also known as a rhinoplasty,” she explained.
“Ever since I was little I haven’t been overly comfortable with my nose.”
Ms Mowday revealed she had researched several clinics and said Turkey had “highly recommended” as a possibility, but wanted advice on getting started.
‘Who should I contact and how much does it cost?’ she asked.
She included two photos of Kylie Jenner and said she wanted similar results to the Keeping Up With The Kardashians star’s reported nose job.
“Bangkok quoted $4,500, but I heard they don’t do the nose I’ve attached below,” he wrote.
