A woman has shared her harrowing ordeal after being “disturbed” after breast reduction surgery at a Turkish clinic she claims was like a “slaughterhouse”.
Stephanie Briggs, 33, said she had always longed for “fresher” breasts, especially during her teenage years, and as she got older, her 34G cup size left her suffering from back pain and feeling self-conscious.
The mum-of-three claims she had had enough after a former partner called her breasts “saggy” and decided to seek surgery.
She came across a procedure in Turkey costing £1,950 and booked herself in – but four weeks later her stitches started leaking ‘green pus’ and two holes had formed in her breasts.
Now she is sharing her harrowing experience to raise awareness of the dangers of getting cheap surgery in the country after being left ‘battered’ and facing a lifetime of scars and regret.
The mother-of-three claims she had had enough after comments from an ex-partner and decided to seek surgery
Stephanie said she was left in ‘pure agony’ by the operation
After her surgery, her stitches started leaking “green pus” and two holes had formed in her breasts
“It was like a slaughterhouse,” said the stay-at-home mum from East Yorkshire.
‘When my breasts started leaking I was so worried and it continued for four weeks with such debilitating pain.
‘I was prescribed antibiotics to clear the infection but it didn’t work and the green gunk only got worse.
‘I had to change my bra three times a day and had to slowly peel them off as it stuck to my wounds.
‘The pain was terrible and then I discovered two holes under my breasts which terrified me as they kept getting bigger.’
Stephanie, who initially suffered from her breasts ‘almost reaching her navel’ due to their size, had hoped this surgery would help give her the confidence to start dating again.
She said: ‘I looked like a 60-year-old woman and had problems in the bedroom but I really wanted to finally meet someone.
‘I also suffered from terrible back pain.
Stephanie, from East Yorkshire, pictured at home. She said she had hoped the operation would help give her confidence
The East Yorkshire woman said she was ‘out for seven hours’ during the procedure
Stephanie’s breasts were still a 34E cup size and she was worried that people would think she had been “boded” overseas
‘But when I discovered the operation in Turkey, I thought my prayers had been answered.’
In May 2022, she underwent the procedure in an attempt to get a body she would be ‘proud’ of.
But when she arrived, she quickly realized that her chosen surgery was not what had been advertised.
Stephanie said: ‘I was taken through some glass doors and down the corridor where I noticed all the doors were open.
‘I could see people with their stomachs cut open and surgeons standing over them – it was horrible. I thought I was going to die there.
‘I was out for seven hours and woke up in pure pain.
“While my breasts were smaller, they felt like heavy stones and I was filled with instant regret.”
When she returned home, her breasts were still a 34E cup size, and she was immediately worried that people would think she had been ‘boded’ abroad.
After her post-surgery ordeal, she was left with permanent scarring and a body she now ‘hates’ more than before.
She hopes to share her story to raise awareness and warn people not to go for the cheapest procedure available.
The mum-of-three hopes to share her story to raise awareness and warn people not to go for the cheapest procedure available
Stephanie (pictured at home) said she wished she had saved money and had the procedure at a UK clinic instead
The mum added: ‘I think they (my breasts) are absolutely disgusting and I really hate that I’m cutting off because I couldn’t afford it anywhere else.
‘I needed two more courses of antibiotics to clear the infection and now the holes are thankfully closed.
‘I’m really not happy with my breasts – one nipple is higher than the other and I’m still numb underneath.
“But I’ve got to make the most of a bad situation and at least they’re not limp anymore. I even go around the house topless sometimes.
‘If I could do it all over again, I would never go back to Turkey.
‘I would have waited and saved up for a reputable clinic in the UK.
“Don’t go for the cheapest option or you’ll end up like me.”