- Debbie Douglas, now 66, underwent a mastectomy by Dr. Ian Paterson.
A woman has told how a disgraced surgeon forced her to undergo an “unnecessary” mastectomy and mutilated her and forced her to pay for it.
Debbie Douglas, now 66, from Birmingham, underwent serious surgery and reconstruction by Dr Ian Paterson just days after finding a lump in her breast in 2003.
Six weeks later, the mother of three began chemotherapy, quickly losing all her hair and spending six months feeling extremely unwell.
It was not until a decade later that Mrs Douglas discovered she only needed a lumpectomy and that she was one of 1,000 Paterson patients who had undergone unnecessary surgery.
Paterson, nicknamed ‘The Butcher Surgeon’, is now serving a 20-year prison sentence after being found guilty of 17 counts of wounding with intent in 2017.
An inquest into the deaths of 62 of his former patients began this week, believed to be one of the largest inquests ever held in the UK.
Debbie Douglas, now 66, (pictured) underwent a serious operation by Dr Ian Paterson just days after finding a lump in her breast in 2003.
Ian Paterson (pictured) is serving a 20-year prison sentence after being found guilty of 17 counts of wounding with intent in 2017.
talking to the sunMs Douglas said: “I was told he was the best consultant and I was very lucky to have him.”
‘He felt where the lump was and said this was really going to hurt. He poked him several times and it was like having a red-hot poker in his chest.
And he added: “It was very painful.”
When Mrs Douglas woke up from surgery, she said she had been cut “from hip to hip”, adding that even her belly button had disappeared as part of the reconstruction surgery.
The surgeon had used stomach fat and muscle to supply blood to her new breasts.
In 2020, survivors of the disgraced breast surgeon vowed to ensure lessons were learned from a damning report, while relatives of those who died after Paterson’s operations called for him to face manslaughter charges.
Mrs Douglas said all recommendations from Bishop Graham James’ inquiry should be implemented.
In September 2017, more than 750 patients treated by Paterson received compensation payments from a £37 million fund.
A decade later, Mrs Douglas discovered she only needed a lumpectomy and was one of 1,000 Paterson patients who had undergone unnecessary surgery.
Mrs Douglas gave a first-hand account of the research, adding: “If you were a Paterson patient, you would be 50 per cent more likely to have a recurrence of breast cancer because you would be left with breast tissue – basically a ticking time bomb.” . in your chest, ready to explode and ready to give you cancer because he didn’t take it away.’
Ms Douglas welcomed the investigation’s referral of people to authorities, including the police.
She said: ‘The fight continues until the legislation has changed. We do not want anyone from the Government to pay us lip service. It makes me sick.
‘Lessons are not learned unless legislation changes. If you look at the GMC, why, when people have reported the same consultant over and over again, does that consultant continue to work?