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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Kara O'Neill

British woman, 31, dies while having cosmetic butt-lift surgery in Turkey

A British woman died while undergoing cosmetic butt-lift surgery at a private hospital in Turkey, an inquest heard.

Melissa Kerr, 31, of Gorleston, Norfolk, was on holiday in Istanbul when she had the procedure on November 19 last year at the city's Medicana Haznedar Hospital.

Norfolk coroner's court in Norwich was told how the mental health counsellor died during the operation, known as gluteal augmentation.

Her medical cause of death was given as pulmonary thromboembolism and fat embolism, as a result of elective cosmetic surgery.

Norfolk senior coroner Jacqueline Lake opened and adjourned the inquest on Friday. A full hearing will take place on April 7.

Miss Kerr worked as a psychological wellbeing practitioner at mental health charity Mind, according to a Just Giving page.

Melissa was on holiday in Istanbul when she underwent the procedure (East Anglia News Service)

 

Her twin sister Natasha who set up the page described her as "a pure and beautiful soul inside and out".

Natasha added on the page: "Words cannot describe the pain and heartbreak we are going through, life without her will never be the same again.

"We miss her deeply and nothing will fill the emptiness we are left with."

Animal lover Melissa also worked as a volunteer helping domestic violence victims and supporting people through bereavement.

Melissa passed away after the procedure last November (Facebook)

Natasha added: "She was passionate about changing the world one step at a time and lived a plant based life hoping she could save the planet and as many animals along the way."

Melissa's partner Skye Birch left a moving Valentine's Day message on her Facebook page on Friday, saying:

"My body is weak and my soul is empty, a deep pain inside I try so hard to keep from dragging me down the darkest of paths.

The Medicana Haznedar Hospital in Istanbul where Melissa had the op (East Anglia News Service)
Friends and family, including Melissa's partner Skye Birch, paid tribute to Melissa (Facebook)

 

"So much heartache & loneliness, i wake to relive the pain you are no longer with us everyday.

"To feel your loving arms around me, to come home to your beautiful energy and smile.

"People ask me if I am doing OK but I never will be without you. I will always be lost searching for you in everything I do.

"I will continue to love you with all my heart until my last breath."

An inquest last November heard how beautician Leah Cambridge, 29, of Leeds, West Yorkshire, died from a pulmonary embolism shortly after having "Brazilian butt lift" surgery at a private hospital in Izmir, Turkey, in August 2018.

Wakefield senior Coroner Kevin McLoughlin recorded a conclusion that the mother-of-three had died after not being fully apprised of the risks involved in the surgery.

He also called for a UK ban on the procedure.

Visit Melissa's Just Giving page here.

 
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