A mother who died from a mysterious illness last year after having plastic surgery on her arm in Turkey had the operation “at a moment’s notice”, an inquest has heard.
Anne Tolson, 58, was found dead at home with open wounds to her armpits and triceps after complaining of pain in her arms for several days.
In April 2024, Mrs Tolson flew to Turkey where she was due to have a tummy tuck and liposuction. But when she arrived at Green Park Hospital in Istanbul, they recommended surgery on her arm and she agreed.
The problem arose immediately after the operation. Mrs. Tolson complained to doctors of pain in her right arm and that her compression bandage was too tight. The hearing heard that her right hand was “swollen like a balloon and oozing clear fluid”. After three more days in the hospital, she was discharged to a hotel, where a cut on her arm oozed “yellow and slightly odorous fluid.”
The hearing also heard that she communicated via WhatsApp with the doctor who operated on her, who gave her antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, painkillers and an ointment. Nine days after the operation, on May 3, she flew back to Manchester airport. Between May 4 and her death, her web searches included “suture infection symptoms” and “axillary yeast infection symptoms.”
On May 7, she sent a video of her arm and armpit to the hospital in Turkey, showing “sticky yellowish-white pus,” and the hospital replied that it would “take the video to the doctor,” but never heard back.
Mrs Tolson was seen by neighbours on May 11 and is said to have spoken to her daughter, saying her “stomach was fine” but her arm was hurting.
Six days later, the mother was found dead in her home. Photos taken by police “clearly show” wounds to her abdomen that are healing well, but open wounds to her armpits and triceps.
An autopsy to determine the cause of Mrs. Tolson’s death was inconclusive.
Now a coroner has issued a stark warning to Britons about the ‘dangers’ of travelling to Turkey for cosmetic surgery.
Isobel Thistlethwaite, assistant coroner for Rutland and North Leicestershire, said they had been unable to obtain information from the company that arranged Mrs Toulson’s operation in Turkey or the Turkish hospital. She added: “On all counts, Mrs Tolson was not given sufficient time to properly consider this decision.”
“British citizens go abroad for major and serious surgical procedures, there seems to be little follow-up and no way to easily return to the hospital where the operation was performed once complications arise back in the UK.”
“Not only is this dangerous, it could place a huge burden on the NHS.”
A copy of the coroner’s report has been sent to Green Park Hospital in Turkey as well as the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
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