A coroner will write to the Health Secretary after a British woman died after a “Brazilian butt lift” in Turkey.
Norfolk’s senior coroner Jacqueline Lake will tell Steve Barclay her concerns that people are ignoring the risks of cosmetic surgery abroad.
Melissa Kerr, 31, who was “conscious about her appearance”, traveled to a private hospital in Istanbul for the procedure, Ms Lake said.
But the mental health professional, from Denton, Norfolk, received only “limited information about the risks and mortality rate” associated with it.
Ms Kerr, who had breast augmentation surgery a decade earlier without complications, died at Medicana Kadikoy Hospital on the day of the butt lift – which sees fat harvested from elsewhere on the body and injected into the buttocks – on November 19 2019.
- Fat removal – small incisions are made in the skin and a tube sucks out small amounts of fat
- Preparation of fat – fat is separated from blood and other fluids
- Fat injection – fat is injected into the treated area
She died after the injected fat entered a vein before moving and blocking her pulmonary artery, with her cause of death listed as pulmonary embolism, Ms Lake said.
Consultant plastic surgeon Simon Withey, who was called to see evidence in the case and prepare a report for Ms Kerr’s inquest as an expert witness, said the death rate associated with Brazilian butt lifts is “probably in excess of one at 4,000”.
He said it was “very likely” that if the risk of the procedure had been explained to Ms Kerr “before she made the financial commitment to go ahead, she would not have done it”.
In a series of WhatsApp messages between Ms Kerr and a hospital worker before the Brit traveled to Turkey, Ms Kerr arranged to pay £3,200 in cash.
He asked four times to see photos of previous patients, but no evidence was provided.
Ms Kerr said in her messages that she was feeling “a bit nervous”.
An international warning has been issued to surgeons regarding the high mortality rate associated with this procedure
Senior Coroner for Norfolk, Jacqueline Lake
Recording a narrative conclusion, Ms Lake said Ms Kerr died after cosmetic surgery.
The coroner said: “Ms Kerr did not see a surgeon or clinic prior to the date of the procedure.
“Mrs Kerr underwent a limited assessment prior to the proceedings.
“Ms Kerr was given limited information about the risks and mortality rate associated with this procedure.”
Ms Lake said “certain techniques” used “increased the risk of embolism”, including the “decision to inject fat into superficial muscle”.
He said there had been a “high number of patient deaths in similar circumstances”.
I have concerns that there will be future deaths and I believe that future deaths can be prevented through better information
Senior Coroner for Norfolk, Jacqueline Lake
He added: “There has been an international warning to surgeons about the high mortality rate associated with this procedure.
“There has also been the introduction of a voluntary moratorium on this type of procedure in the UK.
“These are obviously not followed in Turkey.
“I am concerned that patients are not being informed of the risks or mortality rate associated with such an operation.
“I have no authority over the hospitals in Turkey and I also appreciate that the UK government does not control (over) what happens in other countries.
“However, the risk of our citizens continuing to travel abroad for such procedures continues, although citizens are unaware of the risks involved.
“I have concerns that there will be future deaths and I am of the opinion that future deaths can be prevented through better information.
“I suggest we make a report to the Minister for Health, who I believe could take steps to prevent future deaths.”
Ms Lake offered her condolences to Ms Kerr’s relatives, who listened to the proceedings via video link.
