A 36-year-old mother from Slough, Carrie, is sharing her harrowing experience following a botched liposuction procedure in Turkey that left her fighting for her life. The operation, intended to help her regain confidence after having two children, quickly turned into a nightmare when she contracted a life-threatening infection known as necrotising fasciitis, commonly referred to as “flesh-eating disease.”
After years of feeling unhappy with the changes in her body post-pregnancy, Carrie decided to undergo liposuction at an Istanbul clinic in 2022, spending approximately £4,500 on the procedure. However, the day she awoke from the six-hour operation marked the beginning of her ordeal.
Upon waking, Carrie was alarmed by the intense pain and discomfort she experienced. She recalled, “It was a really tight feeling to the point I felt like my body was going to split in two.” Her abdomen soon began to change color, turning black due to the necrotising fasciitis she had developed during the surgery.
Just days after the procedure, Carrie collapsed in agony and was rushed to an intensive care unit. Doctors discovered that she was suffering from deadly sepsis, which had begun to cause her organs to shut down. Over the next few weeks, she underwent five emergency surgeries to remove dead tissue and combat the infection.
“I had to go back to surgery to wash everything out,” she explained. “They cut me open while I was awake, putting a screen up in front of me so I couldn’t see what was going on.”
Despite assurances from her medical team that she could fly back to the UK just days after her initial surgery, Carrie faced a rapid decline in health once she returned home. She described the horror of discovering a massive hole in her stomach, which revealed her internal stitches. The situation escalated quickly, resulting in her collapsing in her bathroom and being admitted to the hospital for emergency surgery.
Doctors had to remove half of her stomach to save her life, and Carrie spent an additional three months in the hospital recovering from the extensive damage done by the infection.
Reflecting on her experience, Carrie expressed deep regret over her decision to have surgery abroad. “I thought I’d gone with the right doctor,” she lamented. “But if I could turn back time, I would never have got it. I try to stay positive and think that I’m lucky to be alive and see my kids grow up.”
Following her traumatic ordeal, Carrie is now an advocate for others considering cosmetic surgery. She warns against traveling abroad for procedures and urges potential patients to prioritize their health by opting for treatments in the UK instead.
“I struggled with my stomach since having children,” she said, explaining her initial motivation for the surgery. “If you want to change your body, just diet and hit the gym.”
Carrie’s story serves as a stark reminder of the potential risks associated with cosmetic surgery and the importance of thorough research and caution when considering such procedures. Her journey underscores the need for awareness around medical safety, especially in foreign clinics, where standards may not always align with those in the UK.
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