A coroner will write to the health secretary to warn of the dangers of cosmetic surgery abroad after a British woman died after a “Brazilian butt lift” in Turkey.
Melissa Kerr, 31, traveled to a private hospital in Istanbul for the procedure, an inquest at Norfolk Coroner’s Court heard.
She was “conscious of her appearance” but had only been given “limited information about the risks and mortality rate” associated with it, the inquest said.
Norfolk’s senior coroner Jacqueline Lake wants to raise the issue with Health Secretary Steve Barclay, saying people are not aware of the risks when going abroad for surgery.
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.
The mental health professional, from Denton in Norfolk, died after injected fat entered a vein before traveling 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”.
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”.
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 apparently 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 hospitals in Turkey and I also appreciate that the UK government has no 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.
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