British officials will meet their Turkish counterparts following the death of a 31-year-old woman after a “Brazilian butt lift” in 2019.
Melissa Kerr died the same day she underwent a fat harvesting and buttock injection procedure in Istanbul on November 19 of the same year.
She died when the injected fat entered a vein before moving and blocking her pulmonary artery.
Her cause of death was listed as pulmonary thromboembolism and fat embolism, secondary to elective cosmetic surgery.
Senior Norfolk Coroner Jacqueline Lake said Ms Kerr, of Denton, Norfolkreceived only “limited information about the risks and mortality rate” of the procedure.
Ms. Lake she wrote to the Department of Health and Social Care about her concerns following an investigation in September, saying: “I am concerned that patients traveling to Turkey for this procedure are not being informed of the risks and high mortality rate associated with this surgery.”
He also raised concerns that there were “no or limited controls on the conduct of such surgery”.
Maria Caulfield, minister for mental health and women’s health strategy, hit back at Ms Lake, saying: “My officials will… visit Turkey to meet soon with their counterparts.
“The aim is to discuss the regulatory framework and protections that apply to UK nationals and to identify specific areas where the UK and Turkish authorities should work together to reduce risks to patients in the future.”
He added: “It is particularly important that those considering a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) procedure are fully aware of the risks and have time to fully think about their decision before surgery.
“As you note in the report, the risks associated with this process are high.
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“The risk of death for BBL surgery is at least 10 times higher than many other cosmetic procedures and has the highest death rate of all cosmetic procedures.
“As you note, the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) has advised its members not to carry out buttock lift surgery in Brazil until more is known about safer techniques for the procedure.
“The Government is looking at how we can communicate more effectively with those considering overseas treatment to ensure people are better informed about the risks before surgery and understand the need to secure appropriate aftercare, including when it might be safe to travel home. “
Ms Caulfield said she hoped her response was “helpful in determining how seriously the UK Government takes the issues raised in your report”.
The inquest into Mrs Kerr’s death came five years after the mother-of-three Leah Cambridge died of a fat clot caused by BBL in Turkey in 2018.
The 29-year-old from Leeds traveled to a private clinic in the seaside town of Izmir for the operation after becoming paranoid about excessive stomach weight gain, an inquest heard – despite as her partner said she didn’t need surgery.
The Foreign Office says it is aware of more than 25 British nationals who have died in Turkey since January 2019 following medical procedures.
Her website recommends that anyone planning to travel to Turkey for surgery, including dentistry, should read her advice and discuss their plans with their UK doctor before proceeding.
