The family of a woman who died from complications from tummy tuck surgery has warned of the dangers of traveling abroad for cosmetic surgery.
Carol Keenan, from Fife, is being remembered as a loving mother and grandmother who was the “life and soul of the party”.
She died in April last year at the age of 54 after traveling to Istanbul for cosmetic surgery.
His partner Stevie and daughter Leonie, who accompanied him for the surgery, say they were not told how dangerous the surgery was when they booked the trip.
Carol Keenan’s Family Carol Keenan passed away after traveling to Turkey for cosmetic surgery.carol keernan family
This comes after 28-year-old Shannon Bowe, from Denny, near Falkirk, died during gastric band surgery in Turkey on Saturday, April 1.
A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Department spokesperson said: “We are supporting the family of the British man who died in Turkey and are liaising with local authorities.”
The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons has repeatedly warned against the practice, as more people travel to Turkey in search of cheaper treatments.
Shannon Bowe, 28, from Denny, near Falkirk, tragically passed away during the procedure on Saturday, March 31st.
Last year, 600,000 “medical tourists” visited Turkey, and this year the cosmetics company is aiming for 1.5 million, targeting Brits on WhatsApp and in Facebook support groups with thousands of members.
Carol’s family said their story forced them to warn others to be aware of the risks and uncertainties associated with such procedures.
Stevie said this to other families considering treatment in Turkey: Teeth, hair, gastric bands, BBL, etc. are not allowed. It’s called medical tourism, but there’s nothing fun about it. This is a life-threatening medical procedure. Even if it’s cheap, it doesn’t make sense. ”
“Your life matters most. In our case, our grandchildren lost their grandmother and I lost my partner to something she didn’t need.”
Leonie said, remembering Carol as a grandmother of eight. When we describe her to people, she explains that she had a fire in her belly and a passion for everyone in her heart. She fought for what she thought was right. ”
Stevie added: “She just cared about everyone and everyone loved her. When she walked into her room, she lit up the room.”
Her family said she was very excited and had been saving up for the surgery for a long time.
Stevie said: “I didn’t want her to go, but she was adamant about going and it was going to make her happy.
“To be honest, I didn’t really understand what was going on either. I didn’t know all the facts and figures. I was also pretty naive.”
Despite traveling to Turkey to undergo two surgeries – a tummy tuck and a Brazilian bum lift (BBL) – Carol was advised to undergo a third operation upon arrival.
Her family says she was not in the right mental state to undergo a third surgery.
Leonie said: “In one of the surgeries she had, the mortality rate was actually very high.
“We didn’t know any of this information when we were looking into it.”
Furthermore, she added: “When she was approved for her medical exam, they offered to give her muscle repair to improve the success of her tummy tuck. I didn’t pay the fee.
“I don’t think she would have been in the right mental state to handle it.”
STV News Carol’s daughter Leonie and partner Stevie STV News
The family feels that unrealistic beauty standards portrayed in media elements influenced Carol’s decision.
Stevie said: There are a lot of celebrities who seem to be pushing it on TV and I would never wish that experience on anyone. ”
Leonie added: “My mother was a size 10/12, but after seeing what your body shape could be like in the media and images of celebrities, she wanted to be more like that.
“To me, she was perfect just the way she was.”
A few days after the surgery, Stevie spoke at the hotel about how energetic and “positive” Carol was.
“Aftercare was basically me taking care of her and emptying the drain. She probably shouldn’t have been discharged.”
But later, as the couple left to catch a taxi, she collapsed.
Stevie said, “She got dressed up and put on makeup and got off the elevator and there was a taxi waiting for her. The moment she got into the taxi, she just said, ‘Oh, Stevie,’ and she was in my arms. I collapsed.
“And there was no one around, just basically screaming for help. I lifted her leg up and stuff, but at first I was worried about her surgery, but… Then I thought, “Why worry about that?” I knew something was terribly wrong. But it was her. She’s gone. ”
She was taken to the hospital by ambulance, where she was pronounced dead.
Even though Carol died almost a year ago, her family is still waiting for an autopsy.
Leonie added: “We also want to highlight how the government has let us and my mother down with so little support.
“I was at home trying to help as best I could. I had contacted the British Consulate General but I wasn’t getting any support.”
The family were repeatedly told that Stevie’s body would be brought back on the next flight back to Scotland, but they ultimately had to wait for a third flight to take Carol home. There wasn’t.
Stevie described how his body was treated “like any other shipment” and taken to a warehouse for collection.
They hope that by sharing their story in light of Shannon Bowe’s case, others will think twice before traveling abroad for the procedure.
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