A woman left with botched breasts after a boob job in Turkey says she “knew something wasn’t right” the minute she woke up.
Mum-of-two Stacey Bates was left with messy scars, wonky nipples and uneven breasts after a surgeon allegedly told her “time for sleepy bye bye” and put her under the knife.
The 29-year-old claims she wasn’t even consulted about the size of the implants that were being fitted.
“I was seduced by the price, but as soon as I woke up from the general anaesthetic, I knew something wasn’t right,” Stacey, from Bedale, North Yorkshire, told Need To Know.
“The surgeon chose the implant size without a detailed consultation.
“It felt like they just grabbed one off the shelf.
“They also did not inform me about having a catheter inserted.
“The fear is you may not make it home and see your kids again.”
Stacey had thought about having breast augmentation for a breast reduction and uplift for years.
So after seeing an advert for a clinic in Turkey on social media earlier this year, the 29-year-old filled in an online consultation.
Thrilled with the communication and price, which totalled £3,500 including flights, Stacey decided to go for it.
But her dreams began to crumble when she discovered there was more to the operation than she realised.
She said: “I was instructed to walk around shortly after surgery and left with drains dangling, which I was told to empty myself.
“I’d had to leave [my children] for so many days and then I was worried that when I got home I wouldn’t be able to pick them up.”
But Stacey said the experience failed to live up to her expectations from the moment she landed in Turkey in January.
She said: “They told me the transport would be a private minibus, but when I arrived, I was sharing it with others.
“After arriving, I was taken to the hotel, then went to the hospital for pre-surgery checks, including blood tests and a brief meeting with the surgeon to mark areas for surgery.
“Payment was also collected from the bed on the day of surgery, but I did not see the surgeon on the day.
“I observed other patients on surgical beds and had to transfer myself onto a cold, hard operating table.
“When I was laid on the table the surgeon said ‘time for sleepy bye bye’ and that really freaked me out.”
Stacey says she was uncertain about who was going to perform the procedure, but still decided to go ahead with it.
On the day her drains were removed, she was sent straight to the airport to fly home.
She said: “After returning home, the stitches became infected, and I was unable to contact the surgeon directly, only communicating with the provider.
“I had to seek treatment at A&E and was prescribed antibiotics.”
When Stacey raised concerns, the provider advised contacting them again in January 2025 to discuss options.
Stacey claims they mentioned that additional surgery would require another payment but that doctor fees would be reduced.
Stacey is now working with Pall Mall Medical, a leading cosmetics provider, to have revision surgery which will include correcting bad scarring and repositioning her nipples.
She also plans to have an uplift and implant revision in January 2025.
She said: “I just wish I’d stayed here in the UK to get it done, where you’ve got that reassurance if something goes wrong you can contact your surgeon.
“If you’re not happy with the results, you’ve got that guarantee.
“Whereas you haven’t got anything doing what I did.
“I went for the price, and now I’m having to pay again, so it’s cost me more in the long run.
“I’m really unhappy with the results of my surgery, the scars are messy, my nipples are wonky, and the overall results are so uneven.
“But Pall Mall has been amazing.
“They’ve made me feel so supported and comfortable, and they’ve explained the whole process clearly.
“Definitely do your research.
“Don’t go by price.
“Look into each company and surgeon and make sure you know the process.”
Dr Simon Theobalds, an A&E doctor and Pall Mall GP, has expressed growing concern over the rising number of cases involving botched surgeries.
He said: “We see patients drawn in by deals for half-price tummy tucks or breast augmentations.
“But these clinics often don’t match the safety standards required in the UK.
“Language barriers can also lead to misunderstandings, and hygiene standards are often compromised.
“People don’t realise they may be treated by unqualified practitioners, and unfortunately, some end up paying the ultimate price – their life.”
According to the latest figures, 28 Britons have lost their lives due to complications from overseas procedures since 2019, including seven deaths in 2024 alone.
Stacey has since campaigned with Pall Mall to issue an urgent call on warning the public about the dangers of low-cost cosmetic procedures abroad.
