This photo is from Natasha Kerr
Whatever you call this photo, following Melissa Carr’s death, her family wants people to avoid “beauty tourism.”
November 21, 2023
Buttock augmentation surgery, also known as Brazilian butt lift (BBL), is the fastest growing cosmetic surgery procedure, but it is also one of the most dangerous.
The British government said it would meet with Turkish officials to discuss regulations on medical and beauty tourism.
The meeting came after reports of several deaths of women who travelled to Turkey for buttock augmentation surgery.
Melissa Carr, 31, died in 2019 after going to the private Medicana Haznedar Hospital in Istanbul to undergo buttock augmentation surgery (Brazilian butt lift).
A fatal blood clot traveled to her lungs after fat was removed from one part of her body and injected into her buttocks during a liposuction procedure.
A coroner expressed concern that she and her husband had not been given enough information before travelling overseas.
Responding to a report into preventing future deaths written by Norfolk’s senior coroner Jacqueline Lake, Health Minister Maria Caulfield said the Government was taking the issue “seriously”.
Caulfield said officials from the Department of Health and Human Services “will be visiting Turkey in the near future to meet with their department counterparts.”
In August 2020, a mother of three died after undergoing liposuction surgery in Turkey, and the BBC reported that seven British patients have died after undergoing weight loss surgery in Turkey.
This photo is from Natasha Kerr
This photo shows Melissa Carr, who died during cosmetic surgery in a Turkish hospital in 2019.
Conservative MP Caulfield, who is minister for mental health and women’s health strategy, offered his “deepest condolences” to Ms Carr’s family and said it was “vital we learn from what happened to her to prevent future deaths”.
“It is particularly important that anyone considering Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) surgery should be fully aware of the risks and take the time to think carefully about their decision before undergoing surgery,” Caulfield said.
“The risk of death from BBL surgery is at least 10 times higher than most other cosmetic procedures.”
The government needs to consider how to “effectively communicate” information about the risks of international travel, she said.
The minister said the British government was “reviewing the impact of international health tourism globally” and there was “strong concern about the number of British nationals visiting Turkey for treatment.”
The BBC has contacted Türkiye’s Ministry of Health for comment.
What is a Brazilian Butt Lift?
This photo is courtesy of Getty Images
They use BBL to make their buttocks bigger, rounder, and lifted.
Surgeons insert silicone-filled implants and then inject or transfer fat from different parts of the body, such as the buttocks.
Despite the risks, the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) says the procedure is one of the fastest growing cosmetic procedures, with its popularity increasing by 20% each year.
Last year, the BAAPS issued new guidelines to its members after suspending the BBL for four years due to high mortality rates.
It is now recommended that only surgeons can perform a procedure called superficial gluteal fat grafting (SGL). SGL uses fat taken from within the body and injects it under the skin, whereas BBL inserts fat deep within the muscle.
They also recommend that surgeons only perform SGL and use a simultaneous ultrasound scan to confirm whether the cannula has been inserted.
Why does Pipo prefer surgery?
Dr Anu Sayal Bennett, a consultant clinical psychologist and accredited by the British Psychological Society, said she believes the allure of celebrity culture and the picture-perfect photos posted on social media is behind the BBL craze.
She says celebrities with stunningly curvaceous bodies, such as Kim Kardashian, are driving fashion.
“With all the discussion around body positivity going on, there’s a lot of pressure on women and also men to look a certain way,” Dr Sayal Bennett said.
Plastic surgeons recognize the importance of psychological testing and therefore frequently refer patients to her.
She warned that surgeons’ ethics dictate that they should not operate on patients if they do not meet the criteria, but that there are no such cases anywhere in the world.
Why would Pipo Dei travel overseas to get a Brazilian Butt Lift?
Advertisements for cosmetic surgery clinics in Turkey feature stunning photos of women in swimsuits to promote the procedures, and even offer special perks to patients who undergo the procedure.
Dr Sayal Bennett said the advert was “highly appealing”.
“The glossy ad says: Drink BBL, sip cocktails and enjoy a beach holiday — for a cheap price.”
“But it’s not going to be a major operation.”
The cost of the surgery is a deciding factor, says Dr Nora Nugent, vice president of BAAPS.
“In the UK, the procedure costs between £6,000 and £12,000, but can cost more than this amount.
“Prices advertised for this procedure in Turkey range from £3,500 to £5,000,” Dr Nugent added.
“If surgeons following the BAAPS guidelines do not perform surgeries between 2018 and 2022, some doctors will go overseas.”
Both experts agree that the glamorous image from abroad does not match the reality.
“Your bottom will be swollen, sore and bruised, and once the fat has been removed, you’ll experience some swelling and bruising in some areas,” Dr Nugent explains.
“I need padded bandages and compression bandages so I can’t go to the beach.”
Both doctors stress the importance of aftercare following surgery.
Why is this procedure so dangerous?
The UK inquest has highlighted the deaths of three women – Melissa Carr, Abimbola Ajoke Bambose (from Dartford, Kent) and Leah Cambridge (from Leeds) – who travelled to Turkey for the BBL or related procedures.
Pipo dies during BBL due to fat being injected into large veins that travel to major organs.
Due to the high risk of death, BAAPS in 2018 has advised its members not to undergo the procedure.
A variety of complications can occur, including severe bacterial infections, including MRSA, necrosis (tissue death), scarring, wound rupture, and abscesses.
In 2018, the BAAPS reported that one London hospital had seen a six-fold increase since 2013 in cases of people needing urgent follow-up treatment after surgery overseas.
Mr Carr’s inquest stated the mortality rate was one in 4,000, but Dr Nugent said more recent studies suggest the rate is more likely to be in the range of one in 13,000 to 15,000.
If you are planning to go to Turkey for the BBL, what should you do before traveling?
Earlier this year, BAAPS issued a joint statement on patient safety with the Turkish Society of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery (TSPRAS).
The organisations recommend that anyone travelling to Turkey for plastic surgery follow the new guidelines.
According to BAAPS guidelines, complications for patients going abroad for treatment are expected to increase by 35% in 2022.
“We can’t stop Pipo going overseas – insurance and hospital costs in the UK are much higher,” Dr Nugent said.
“But it should at least point out questions to ask the surgeon, such as details about how the surgery was performed and routine postoperative care.”
The new advice for potential patients planning to go to Turkey is:
Check if your surgeon in Turkey is a member of TSPRAS (Turkish Society of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery) and is certified in Turkey. Plastic surgeons should have at least five years of working experience in their specialty. The surgeon should be able to provide an aftercare plan, and patients should know the surgeon’s name and contact details. Turkey requires you to fill out a comprehensive consent form before traveling.
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