Botched Turkish plastic surgery costs NHS £94m a year and leaves 'old ladies stuck in hospital corridors while doctors treat bad boob jobs', UK surgeon warns as he calls for botched 'victims' to PAY for their treatment NHS consultant Dr Rajan Uppal has warned that the government needs to act By Elena Salvoni Published: 13:15 BST, 28 July 2024 | Updated: 13:28 BST, 28 July 2024 e-mail View comments Fixing botched plastic surgeries carried out in Turkey costs the NHS £94 million a year and takes much-needed hospital beds away from patients, a leading plastic surgeon has warned. NHS consultant Dr Rajan Uppal has said that the government needs to act to deal with the worsening trend of people using Britain's health service as an 'insurance policy' when they head to dodgy clinics overseas. 'There are little old ladies sitting in a corridor while British patients who have had boob jobs overseas and made the choice to go there are filling beds,' he told MailOnline.
'It's just not what the public thinks the NHS is for.' He and fellow doctors at an NHS Trust in Surrey say they see at least see one Brit with complications every month, as thousands continue to jet off to clinics in Turkey - despite the increased risks posed by cut-price surgeries. With some Turkish clinics offering cosmetic surgery packages for as little as £3,000, and often 'aggressively' marketing and upselling procedures, Dr Uppal said many are 'preying on poor people who can't afford expensive plastic surgery in the UK.
' Doctors at an NHS Trust in Surrey say they see at least see one Brit with complications every month An audit by BAAPS last year found 324 Brits have needed medical treatment or corrective surgery after having gone under the knife overseas since 2018, though the real figure is expected to be far higher (stock image) Explaining his workings regarding the true cost of this to the NHS , he said that if one patient a month requires treatment across each of the more than 900 hospitals in the UK, this would lead to an estimated annual cost of £94m and 58,000 days of lost NHS beds. 'It's a scandal really,' he said. 'If it wasn't a burden on the NHS I wouldn't mind, people are grown ups they can do what they want.
' He added that what he found particularly shocking was the apathy of some patients, who come into NHS hospitals expecting to be looked after, and believe they have saved money in the process. 'Patients don't care, they get through it and think 'that's fine, I've got away with it'. 'They come out of surgery and say 'I'm not bothered I got a deal, they feel they've saved £4,000'.
It's like buying a cheap car, if it's broken down it doesn't matter. 'Patients are not stupid, they know it's half the price, they know the surgeon might be cheaper, but they are willing to take the risk. Dr Uppal said that one solution could be to invoice British patients for treatments, in the same way that people coming from abroad who use NHS services are, if they are coming in for help with cosmetic treatments they chose to have done.
Rhinoplasty expert and NHS consultant surgeon Dr Rajan Uppal 'If you're an overseas patient, if you fly in from India or Nigeria or wherever, and try to get healthcare, you're either not allowed or you get an invoice. 'In my hospital there is a department set up to recoup money from foreign nationals. So that office could do the same thing for patients who have had cosmetic surgery abroad, elective boob jobs and tummy tucks.
He said that as it stands, the NHS is the 'underwriter, the insurance policy, for these patients.' 'And actually, it shouldn't be the insurance insurance they should pay for their own insurance. 'That's why it's it costs £3,000 pounds instead of £6,000 in the UK.
Because three grand is in the NHS is the cushion.' Dr Uppal said he and fellow surgeons appealed to the previous government to tackle the issue, but received an unsatisfactory response. 'Hopefully there will be change under the new government,' he said.
'Before no one seemed to care, but now the NHS is a big focus - the broken NHS - every bed matters and every pound matters.' An audit by the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) last year found 324 Brits have needed medical treatment or corrective surgery after having gone under the knife overseas since 2018, though the real figure is expected to be far higher. Read More EXCLUSIVE British girl, 15, sneaks off to Turkey for a BOOB JOB then has to undergo operation to fix surgery This figure has surged 94 per cent in three years, the organisation claimed, despite doctors repeatedly warning of the dangers of getting surgery at often unregulated clinics overseas.
While plastic surgeons in the UK are generally required to undertake 10-15 years of training to become a specialist, some in Turkey may have trained for as little as three years. Doctors have shared stories of Turkish surgeries leaving patients with life-threatening infections, implants bursting through the skin and blood clots, among other issues . The NHS is obliged to treat acute medical situations, with people coming back from abroad often requiring urgent care.
But while the NHS can help people to survive injuries which are life-threatening, they are still often left with life-changing scars or other effects which they have to live with. BAAPS president Dr Marc Pacifico said that patients' choosing to go to Turkey 'comes with significant consequences, not only for the individuals undergoing surgery overseas but also for the NHS, which often bears the burden of correcting complications upon patients' return to the UK.' BAAPS has put the average cost to the health service of treating a Brit with issues such as these at about £15,000, with the total bill since 2018 at about £4.
8million (stock image) Another possible way to tackle this and deter people from going in the first place, Dr Pacifico suggested, could be to make cosmetic tourism insurance compulsory, in order to either reimburse the NHS or get private care funded. BAAPS has put the average cost to the health service of treating a Brit with issues such as these at about £15,000, with the total bill since 2018 at about £4.8million.
This represents the cost of resources like medication and dressings, as well as the time surgeons and other NHS staff must spend on such cases. While the £15,000 figure is an average, surgeons have previously told this website more serious cases can cost upwards of £100,000 to the taxpayer. Turkey was the largest source of botched ops, BAAPS figures suggested, though other big surgical destinations for Brits included the Czech Republic and Lithuania.
Almost 80 per cent of Brits who needed corrective ops in 2022 were treated originally in surgical tourism hubs like Istanbul and Ankara. As many as 6,000 are said to be heading out to the country every year - many of whom are unaware of the risks. The red flags of getting cosmetic surgery abroad All surgery carries risk, but it is important to do your research before hopping on a plane to get cheap plastic surgery.
Although it can cost less than getting surgery in the UK, you need to bear in mind that the safety standards may not be the same. Holiday packages You should be cautious of any website that sell cosmetic surgery as part of a holiday, the NHS warns. Some websites sell the idea of sightseeing alongside hotels with breakfast included.
NHS advice adds that if you are looking at holiday packages make sure you have a consultation with a surgeon and don't just meet a salesperson. The health service adds that you should not pay to see a surgeon you have never met. The Royal College of Surgeons of England also echoes the NHS's concerns and advises to not agree to cosmetic surgery before meeting the surgeon and visiting the hospital .
UK plastic surgeon Veerle Rotsaert said: 'Travelling long-haul overseas to have surgery done, followed by no proper aftercare, that's where often things go wrong. 'Often third party agencies sell surgery without any surgeon ever seeing the patient in person and having a proper consultation until it is actually surgery day.' Extra costs Many of the surgeries offered overseas in countries such as Turkey are more affordable than private clinics in the UK.
However, there could be hidden costs. The Royal College of Surgeons of England urges people to consider the cost for additional flights and hotel stays for future corrective, or touch-up procedures. It also warns patients to consider what might happen overseas if they pay ahead of time but change their mind before the operation as their right to a refund could vary in different countries.
Choosing the right surgeon Surgeons and clinics are regulated differently in different countries and standards can vary. Before traveling abroad for surgery the NHS says you should ask if the surgeon is fully trained in the surgery you want and how long they have been practicing for. The surgeon should also be fully insured to carry out the surgery you want, says the Royal College of Surgeons of England.
It suggests asking to see details of the surgeons insurance. It is also vital you have a proper consultation with your surgeon before you consent to having the surgery, experts warn. Risks of flying Flying and having major surgery increases your risk of getting a blood clot, which can be life threatening.
As a result, the NHS warns people should wait five to seven days to fly after procedures such as breast surgery and liposuction and wait seven to 10 days to fly after facial cosmetic procedures or tummy tucks. However, some surgeons suggest waiting between two to six weeks before flying depending on the procedure. Dr Rotsaert explained: 'This is because first of all, you want patients to stay relatively close to their surgeon in case of any immediate post-op issues.
' He added: Secondly because of the deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolism risk associated with the act of surgery, it's aftermath, as well as prolonged immobilisation.' Drinking plenty of water, avoiding alcohol and walking about during your flight can help circulation, but this doesn't completely remove the risk of a blood clot especially having major surgery, the British Association of Plastic Reconstruction and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS). Aftercare Follow up care after your surgery is an important part of your treatment.
But traveling abroad can make it more complicated. Before getting surgery outside of the UK consider how long it would take you to travel back to your surgeon if there is a complication, says the Royal College of Surgeons of England. Make sure you have a contact for a named doctor that can deal with any complications, rather than a helpline, experts warn.
You need to also make sure the clinic will deal with any problems and that they will help if you are not happy with your outcome. In many cases the NHS will not help you unless you have a serious complication which requires emergency or life-saving support. Source: NHS, BAPRAS and Royal College of Surgeons England.
Advertisement All the known Brit fatalities in Turkey from surgery At least 25 Brits have died as a result of medical tourism trips to Turkey since January 2019, according to the Government's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Here, MailOnline highlights some of the victims. Leah Cambridge Leah Cambridge, 29, suffered a blood clot during a £6,500 Brazilian butt lift surgery in Turkey.
Leah Cambridge, 29, died after having the 'Brazilian butt lift' procedure in Turkey The mother-of-three, from Leeds, died just one day after travelling to an Elite Aftercare clinic in Turkey in August 2018. The trainee beautician, described as being 'paranoid about her body', paid in cash for the procedure after being inspired by pictures on Instagram. The procedure involved having fat extracted from the waist and injected into the buttocks.
But she suffered a fatal complication when fat was accidentally injected into a vein causing her to have three heart attacks on the operating table. Ms Cambridge's partner Scott Franks told Wakefield Coroner's Court that the surgeon who carried out the procedure told him he had 'injected the fat too far into the muscle and it entered her veins'. Mr Franks said when he flew out to Turkey after his partner died, Dr Ali Uckan, the surgeon who treated Leah, had told him: 'It's a guessing game, you can't see where you are going into.
' Ms Cambridge father, Craig, took his own life in 2021 with an inquest held in July last year hearing how he was never able to get past the loss of his daughter. Diarra Akua Eunice Brown Diarra Brown, 28, died after having liposuction in Turkey Diarra Akua Eunice Brown, died aged 28, two days after getting liposuction at a clinic in the suburb of Bahcelievler in Istanbul, in October 2021. She reportedly underwent the operation to have fat removed from her hips.
While the procedure initially appeared to be a success, Ms Brown 'suddenly' fell ill while having her dressings changed. She died just hours later. Social media posts from family and friends described her as a 'beautiful soul' and a 'close friend'.
'This must be a dream,' one post said. 'Still can’t come to terms with this yet.' 'I miss you angel.
I'm devastated you were taken away way before your time,' said another. Shannon Bowe Shannon Bowe, 28 died after undergoing gastric band surgery in Turkey Shannon Bowe, from Denny, near Falkirk, died while undergoing gastric band surgery in Turkey in April 2023. The 28-year-old passed away during the procedure which involves placing a band around the stomach.
Where exactly Ms Bowe had the procedure in Turkey and the complication that led to her death have not been revealed. In the aftermath of her death, Ms Bowe's boyfriend Ross Stirling wrote on social media: 'Sleep tight my angel, love you forever and always.' Gastric band surgery involves a doctor placing a gastric band around the top of the stomach, creating a small pouch.
When the patient eats, this small pouch fills up more quickly than their stomach normally would, making them feel fuller with less food. By encouraging them to eat less, the procedure can help patients lose weight. Melissa Kerr Melissa Kerr, 31, of Gorleston, Norfolk, died after having a BBL in Turkey Melissa Kerr, 31, died while undergoing a Brazilian butt lift in Turkey in 2019, just before her wedding.
Ms Kerr traveled to Istanbul's Medicana Haznedar Hospital in November that year for gluteal augmentation, which can cost up to £3,150. The psychological wellbeing practitioner, from Gorleston, Norfolk, died from a blocked artery in her lung as a result of undergoing the surgery. Her twin sister Natasha who set up a justgiving.
com page after her death described her a 'a pure and beautiful soul inside and out'. She said: 'Words cannot describe the pain and heartbreak we are going through, life without her will never be the same again. 'We miss her deeply and nothing will fill the emptiness we are left with.
' Melissa's partner Skye Birch said: 'I will continue to love you with all my heart until my last breath.' Ms Kerr also worked as a volunteer helping domestic violence victims and supporting people through bereavement. Abimbola Ajoke Bamgbose Abimbola Ajoke Bamgbose, 38, died after liposuction in Turkey Abimbola Ajoke Bamgbose, a 38-year-old social worker, from Dartford, Kent, died in August 2020 after undergoing liposuction surgery in Turkey.
The mother-of-three bought an overseas package deal with Mono Cosmetic Surgery after becoming fed-up with people asking her if she was pregnant, according to her husband. A post-mortem examination found that Mrs Bamgbose suffered perforations to her bowel during the surgery, with the cause of death given as peritonitis with multiple organ failure. Peritonitis is an infection of the peritoneum, the inner lining of the tummy which covers vital internal organs like the kidneys, liver and bowel.
Her husband Moyosore Olowo told an inquest he was unaware his wife had traveled abroad for cosmetic surgery, instead believing she had simply gone on a holiday with her friends. It was not until Mrs Bamgbose called her husband to say she was suffering from stomach pains following the procedure that he found out what had happened. Mr Olowo said his wife had visited a private medical practice in the UK for surgery but added that the cost had been too high for her to have the treatment in Britain.
Carol Keenan Carol Keenan, 54, died after having a BBL and tummy tuck in Turkey Carol Keenan, 54, died six days after undergoing a combined Brazilian butt lift and tummy tuck in Turkey. The grandmother, of Glenrothes, Fife, paid £7,000 for the procedures at a private hospital in Istanbul in 2022 after becoming anxious about the way her body looked. Ms Keenan also accepted the offer of free abdominal muscle repair surgery shortly before she was taken into the operating theatre.
But she died before she was due to have a final check up and fly home. Speaking to MailOnline in April, her family said they are still waiting for the results of her autopsy 11 months on from her death. Her daughter Leonie Keenan, 32, said: 'My mother was a fit and healthy individual.
She was a very petite size 10 and she kept in shape by walking everywhere and going swimming. 'She was a very active grandmother who loved bouncing on the trampoline with the kids-but she was not happy with her body even though everyone told her she looked great. 'She set her heart on having surgery after seeing stories about other people and celebrities having procedures.
I don't know if it was like a mid-life crisis.' Turkey Share or comment on this article: Botched Turkish plastic surgery costs NHS £94m a year and leaves 'old ladies stuck in hospital corridors while doctors treat bad boob jobs', UK surgeon warns as he calls for botched 'victims' to PAY for their treatment e-mail Add comment.
