Individuals intending to seek cosmetic surgery abroad, such as Brazilian butt lifts (BBL), should exercise caution regarding offers that appear “too good to be true,” as cautioned by the health minister.
Wes Streeting emphasized his “strong recommendation” to the British populace to “consider thoroughly” the dangers prior to selecting “bargain prices” overseas.
In recent years, multiple women have tragically lost their lives after traveling to Turkey for discounted surgical procedures, prompting the Royal College of Surgeons to convene a meeting on the “escalating crisis” next month.
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Mr. Streeting stated: “We must seriously address the issue of medical negligence and malpractice abroad.”
“My strong caution to British travelers is that if an offer appears too enticing, it likely is too good to be true, and you should think long and hard before flying overseas and committing to what appears to be an extraordinarily low price, as the repercussions may haunt you for years due to injuries, which in the worst-case scenarios can be transformative.”
The cabinet official underscored his commitment to “collaborating with international partners to enhance safety for Brits abroad.”
“However, we also need to deliver a decisive message to the British public to mitigate risks, conduct thorough research, and think diligently before accepting offers that sound too good to be true,” he elaborated.
Mr. Streeting is urging the public to ‘consider thoroughly’ before opting for inexpensive treatments
When asked whether the NHS should be left to manage the aftermath when complications occur, he responded: “We will never deny care to those who need it, but this adds further strain on the NHS that is unwelcome.”
“Thus, I implore Brits—to think significantly before seeking those cosmetic procedures currently advertised at incredibly low rates.”
Data from the Foreign Office indicates that at least six British individuals perished in Turkey in 2023 after seeking medical treatments abroad.
Overall, since 2019, 28 British nationals have died within the country following planned surgeries, as per the data.
Further Reading:
Woman hospitalised after unsuccessful Brazilian butt lift
British woman’s demise after ‘Brazilian butt lift’ in Turkey brings coroner’s alert
The implications of inexpensive plastic surgery abroad
Among the victims was Hayley Dowell, 38, who endured medical complications at a private facility and tragically passed away after undergoing a Brazilian butt lift, tummy tuck, and liposuction in Turkey in October last year, as a recent inquiry revealed.
Janet Lynne Savage, 54, from Bangor, also succumbed after suffering a major artery injury during a gastric sleeve operation in Turkey in 2023, according to a coroner’s report.
Urgent assembly of experts
The Royal College of Surgeons announced an assembly scheduled for early next month to explore solutions for the unacceptable standards of treatment encountered abroad, with representatives from the Department of Health, along with officials from the Turkish and Lithuanian embassies invited to contribute.
The vice president of the group, Professor Vivien Lees, stated: “Following years of neglect from authorities, we are now organizing an urgent session with specialists from health, advertising, and trade sectors, along with international governments, to confront this intensifying crisis.”
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Stephen Powis, the NHS’s national medical director, mentioned that Brazilian butt lifts—procedures involving the transfer of fat to the buttocks from other areas of the body—”carry the highest mortality rate among all cosmetic interventions.”
Reiterating Mr. Streeting’s sentiments, he added: “Questionable alterations and surgeries are burdening the NHS with the task of rectifying the outcome and taxpayers with covering the expenses.”
“I strongly advise anyone considering a BBL to pause and reconsider before accepting an offer that seems unrealistically advantageous.”
In addition to fatalities among British nationals, the Foreign Office reported that some individuals “have also faced complications and required additional treatments or surgeries following their procedures.”
The advisement also mentioned that anyone contemplating traveling to Turkey for treatment should consult with their personal doctor or dentist, adding that “private enterprises have a financial motive in scheduling your treatment, and their materials should not be your sole resource of information.”
The government reiterated its stance that it would generally be unable to assist individuals stranded abroad due to costs and complications related to cosmetic surgery, as “planned medical treatment is deemed a commercial agreement.”
