Cosmetic tourism warning after woman's death

People travelling abroad for low-cost cosmetic surgery are being pressured into buying extra "risky" procedures at the last minute, a coroner has said.

Nicholas Walker was speaking at the inquest into the death of Hayley Dowell, from Eastleigh, Hampshire, who died following fat removal surgery in Turkey in October 2023.

The 38-year-old mother of three was offered a discounted Brazilian butt-lift (BBL) as an "afterthought" with minutes to go before her booked operations, the inquest heard.

The coroner, who said he would write to the government, said although BBL surgery did not cause her death, the practice of upselling could put others at risk.

Dowell died from complications of liposuction at BHT Clinic Istanbul Tema Hospital on 3 October, the inquest heard.

Her husband Neil Dowell told the court they had paid 7,000 euros for liposuction and a tummy tuck, as well as a hotel stay.

However, the surgeon suggested putting the removed fat into her bottom as it had been "a little flat", he said.

"As soon as he left the room, a young lady came in with a card machine," Dowell said.

"We had a five-minute window to decide to have the procedure or pay for it or not.

"We had to make a quick decision. It was a mad rush."

He was initially told, after four hours of surgery, that everything was fine, the inquest heard.

However, towards midnight, he was told by the surgeon that his wife had suffered two cardiac arrests and "you should say your goodbyes".

An expert witness, consultant plastic surgeon Elaine Sassoon, said cosmetic tourism contributed "billions" to the Turkish economy.

"We can't stop it but what we need to do is set baseline things that will make it safer," she said.

The coroner said: "I'm satisfied upselling in such circumstances and lack of time to reflect on consequences will create a risk of future deaths."

He said he would write to the health secretary and the General Medical Council to raise concerns over a lack of a database to show the extent of the problem.

He made no findings about the surgeon or the operation itself.

The Dowell family, which is pursuing litigation in Turkey, paid tribute to the "fun-loving" mother, who adored her children and was training to be a dental nurse.