At least 24 British citizens have tragically lost their lives due to medical tourism trips to Turkey since January 2019, as reported by the Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office. In this article, MailOnline sheds light on some of these victims and their stories.
Leah Cambridge, a 29-year-old mother-of-three from Leeds, traveled to an Elite Aftercare clinic in Turkey in August 2018 for a Brazilian butt lift surgery worth £6,500. Leah, who was insecure about her body, paid in cash for the procedure after being inspired by images on Instagram. However, she experienced a fatal complication when fat was mistakenly injected into a vein, resulting in three heart attacks on the operating table. Leah’s partner, Scott Franks, revealed that the surgeon admitted injecting the fat too far into the muscle, causing it to enter her veins. Dr. Ali Uckan, the surgeon who treated Leah, described the procedure as a guessing game, as it is challenging to determine the correct placement. Tragically, Leah’s father, Craig, took his own life in 2021, unable to overcome the loss of his daughter.
Diarra Akua Eunice Brown, 28, underwent liposuction in Istanbul in October 2021 and sadly passed away two days later. She initially appeared to be recovering well after the surgery, but her health suddenly deteriorated during a dressing change, leading to her untimely death. Diarra was remembered by her loved ones as a beautiful soul and a close friend, with many struggling to come to terms with her loss.
Shannon Bowe, 28, from Denny, near Falkirk, lost her life while undergoing gastric band surgery in Turkey in April 2023. Unfortunately, further details about the location and the complications leading to her death have not been disclosed. Shannon’s boyfriend, Ross Stirling, expressed his love and profound sadness for losing her.
Melissa Kerr, a 31-year-old psychological wellbeing practitioner from Gorleston, Norfolk, died before her wedding in 2019 during a Brazilian butt lift in Turkey. Melissa sought gluteal augmentation in Istanbul’s Medicana Haznedar Hospital, a procedure costing up to £3,150. Tragically, she suffered a blocked artery in her lung due to the surgery, leading to her demise. Melissa’s twin sister, Natasha, set up a Justgiving.com page to commemorate her, describing her as a pure and beautiful soul inside and out. Melissa’s partner, Skye Birch, pledged everlasting love for her, and she was also known for her volunteer work supporting victims of domestic violence and grieving individuals.
Abimbola Ajoke Bamgbose, a 38-year-old social worker from Dartford, Kent, lost her life in August 2020 after undergoing liposuction surgery in Turkey. Abimbola’s husband revealed that she had purchased an overseas package deal with Mono Cosmetic Surgery due to frustration from constant inquiries about her pregnancy. Sadly, a post-mortem examination showed that she suffered bowel perforations during the surgery, leading to peritonitis and multiple organ failure. Her husband, Moyosore Olowo, expressed shock at learning about his wife’s decision to undergo cosmetic surgery abroad, as he believed she was merely on a holiday with friends. The costly nature of the procedure in the UK drove Abimbola to choose this alternative.
Carol Keenan, a 54-year-old grandmother from Glenrothes, Fife, passed away six days after having combined Brazilian butt lift and tummy tuck surgeries in Turkey in 2022. Carol paid £7,000 for the procedures at a private hospital in Istanbul due to her dissatisfaction with her body. She also agreed to receive free abdominal muscle repair surgery. Tragically, she never had the chance to undergo her final check-up and return home. Carol’s family is still awaiting the results of her autopsy, nearly a year after her passing. Her daughter, Leonie Keenan, described her mother as a fit and healthy individual who was not content with her body, despite receiving compliments. Carol’s decision for surgery may have been influenced by stories of others and celebrities undergoing similar procedures, possibly related to a mid-life crisis.
These heart-wrenching stories shed light on the dangers associated with medical tourism and the importance of considering the risks involved in traveling abroad for cosmetic surgeries.
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