A MUM-OF-FOUR died days after undergoing liposuction and a butt lift in Turkey, an inquest heard.
Lydia O’Donoghue, from Limerick, Ireland, suffered a fatal blood clot later linked to her recent surgery, flight home and cocaine use.
Remembered by friends and family as the life and soul of every party, Lydia posted a picture of herself on Tiktok on the day of her surgery on April 16, with the caption: “Surgery day new booty pending.”
But within a week of returning home, Lydia began to feel unwell, and an inquest into her death was heard.
Her legs were swollen and she later collapsed in the kitchen of her family home, LimerickLive was mentioned.
Her husband, Jonathan, performed CPR for 20 minutes before she was taken to University Hospital Limerick, where she was pronounced dead on April 23.
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Lydia is survived by her three sons: Jamie, Jason, and Jay Jay, and her daughter, Annalize Marie.
She died on her eldest son’s 20th birthday.
The autopsy report revealed that Lydia had signs of a blood clot in her lungs.
A toxicology report by pathologist Dr Teresa Laszlo showed there was cocaine and diazepam in her system, but no alcohol.
The cause of death was determined to be a blood clot, caused by a recent liposuction procedure, followed by air travel and drug use.
Dr Teresa’s report stated that “cocaine use may have contributed” to her death and that “the level of cocaine was significant”.
He added that this, along with air travel, will increase the risk of a blood clot.
The coroner, John McNamara, assured Lydia’s family that she would not have been in pain before she died, as death from a blood clot “is very sudden”.
The family questioned whether she should have been put on anticoagulants when she left Turkey, which the coroner said “might have helped” but that there were a number of factors that contributed to her death.
He acknowledged that “it’s very difficult to discuss Lydia’s death like this – her untimely death two months ago.”
John recorded a verdict of fortuitous adventure, saying that Lydia had never intended this outcome.
The rise of the BBL
Buttock lift or buttock augmentation, often referred to as Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) when the patient’s own fat is used instead of implants, has become an increasingly popular trend in cosmetic surgery.
Many patients travel to countries such as Turkey or seek unregistered surgeons at home – including the UK – and are not fully informed about the risks.
BBLs carry the highest risk of all cosmetic procedures – with more than one death per 4,000 procedures.
Despite the risks, the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) says the procedure is the fastest-growing type of cosmetic surgery, with its popularity increasing by 20 per cent year-on-year.
BBL surgeries have been widely scrutinized in recent years following a series of preventable deaths and injuries.
Tragic mum Alice Webb was the UK’s first victim of BBL surgeries, with her death feared to be just the tip of a very grim iceberg.
The mum-of-five, 33, was having the cosmetic treatment at a studio in Gloucester when she “crossed over” and died in hospital the following day.
Police later confirmed that two people were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.
In recent years at least 28 Britons have died abroad – seven in Turkey – after complications from BBLs.
But there are many more who have undergone the procedure in Britain with devastating consequences.
Elsewhere, a British mum-of-three who died days after undergoing her own butt lift in Brazil did not consent to the procedure, an inquest heard.
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Demi Agoglia, 26, died in Turkey after a ‘barbaric’ operation which contributed to her neglect without proper pre-operative care and advice,’ a coroner has warned.
Demi also learned about the procedure from influencer ads on social media that failed to highlight the risks of BBLs.
BBL Safety Tips
If you’re considering getting a BBL, there are a few key things you can do to ensure the process is as safe as possible.
The first and most important step is to look for a qualified and experienced doctor.
Here are the key steps to ensure a safe process:
- Verify the professional’s credentials: Make sure the surgeon or aesthetic practitioner is properly trained, qualified and registered with General Medical Council (GMC) for surgical procedures or trained in non-surgical aesthetics with a trusted provider such as Harley Academy for injectable treatments.
- Ask about their experience: It is essential to choose a professional who has extensive experience with BBLs. Ask how many procedures they’ve had and their complication rates.
- Ask about the materials used: For BBL fluids, check that only UK or European approved fillers are used and that strict hygiene standards are met
- Clinic safety standards: The procedure should be performed in a controlled medical facility that meets high standards of hygiene, has appropriate equipment and can handle emergencies. For surgical BBLs, this means a licensed surgical center with appropriate accreditation.
- Realistic expectations and clear communication: A responsible professional will take the time to fully explain risks and manage expectations. Patients should always be informed of both the best and worst outcomes, and a comprehensive discussion of aftercare and the recovery process should take place.
- Avoid discounted offers: Cheaper is not better when it comes to cosmetic procedures. Be wary of low-cost offers or professionals who offer services without proper medical supervision. This can often be a red flag for unsafe or unregulated treatments.
- Be open about your medical history: During your session, you should be open about your medical history and medications and ask detailed questions about the procedure.
- Be diligent about aftercare: Following all aftercare instructions and going to follow-up appointments can help prevent problems and ensure a safe recovery.
- Be careful when traveling abroad: Following all aftercare instructions and going to follow-up appointments can help prevent problems and ensure a safe recovery.
