The NHS “should not be left to pick up the pieces of botched Brazilian facelifts”, England’s top doctor has warned.

Professor Sir Stephen Powis, national medical director of the NHS, has issued a stark warning to Britons considering flying abroad for surgeries following a series of tragedies.

Foreign Office data shows 28 Britons have died in Türkiye after traveling abroad for procedures since 2019.

It is estimated that the NHS spends more than £1 million a year treating complications caused by overseas cosmetic procedures.

The Brazilian butt lift (BBL) is the fastest growing cosmetic surgery procedure, but it is also one of the most dangerous.

Professor Powis said: “The NHS will always be there for those who need it, but should not be left to pick up the pieces of botched BBLs.

“Not only are they potentially fatal, with the highest mortality rate of all cosmetic procedures, but dodgy adjustments and surgeries leave the NHS repairing the damage and taxpayers footing the bill.”

“I urge anyone considering a BBL to think twice before accepting an offer that seems too good to be true.”

Hayley Dowel, 38, suffered medical complications at a private clinic and died after undergoing a Brazilian butt lift, tummy tuck and liposuction in October last year.

Kaydell Brown, 38, from Sheffield, signed up for several surgeries in Türkiye but died after going to theater on March 26 this year.

The NHS “should not be left to pick up the pieces of botched Brazilian facelifts”, Professor Stephen Powis (pictured) has said.

Earlier this week, a coroner heard that a British woman had died in Türkiye after a surgeon left midway through the procedure.

A recent inquest revealed how Hayley Dowel, 38, suffered medical complications at a private clinic and died after undergoing a Brazilian butt lift, tummy tuck and liposuction in October last year.

And a coroner said Janet Lynne Savage, 54, of Bangor, died from major arterial trauma during a gastric sleeve weight loss procedure in Turkey in 2023.

Another patient, Isabella Crawford, told how she thought she would die after returning home with blood pouring from her open wounds.

The 20-year-old flew to Turkey in February after a surgeon recommended she undergo a “mummy makeover”, which included a tummy tuck, breast lift, liposuction and Brazilian butt lift .

And Kaydell Brown, 38, from Sheffield, signed up for several surgeries in Turkey but died after going to theater on March 26 this year.

In an interview with ITV News, her sister Leanne said: “She had the operation at around 9.30am and that was the last time I saw her.”

Last year, a coroner also concluded that Melissa Kerr, 31, who died during an operation in Turkey, was not given enough information to make a safe decision.

Melissa Kerr, 31, who died during an operation in Turkey, was not given enough information to make a safe decision, a coroner ruled last year.

Janet Savage, 54 (pictured), who had traveled to Antalya, Turkey, for gastric sleeve surgery, died on the operating table, a recent inquest heard.

Foreign Office data shows at least six Britons died in Türkiye in 2023 after traveling abroad for medical procedures.

A total of 28 British nationals have died in the country following planned surgery since 2019, data shows.

A UK Government spokesperson said: “We urge anyone considering a medical procedure abroad to consult our travel advice and relevant guidance from the NHS and other professional bodies. »

The Royal College of Surgeons said it would hold a meeting early next month to find solutions to unacceptable standards of treatment.

Participants include NHS England, the Competition and Markets Authority, the Advertising Standards Authority and surgical associations covering cosmetic and bariatric surgery.

Other guests include the Ministry of Health, the General Medical Council, the General Dental Council, the Care Quality Commission and the embassies of Turkey and Lithuania.

Vice-President of the Royal College of Surgeons, Professor Vivien Lees, said: “It is incredibly sad that lives are being lost to cheap surgeries abroad. Patients deserve better protection through stricter regulation and education.

“After years of inaction from officials, we are now convening an urgent meeting with experts from health, advertising and commerce authorities, as well as foreign governments, to address this growing crisis.

“We are calling for a comprehensive approach to protect those considering surgery abroad.

“In the UK, our Cosmetic Surgery Board Certification program provides a vital benchmark to help patients choose certified cosmetic surgeons who meet high standards of care and professionalism.

“This is a voluntary scheme which the UK Government now has the option of making compulsory.”

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website, “the quality of medical facilities and treatments available can vary significantly globally and also within countries.”

In addition to deaths among Britons, the report said “some British nationals also experienced complications and required further treatment or surgery following their procedure.”

It says anyone considering traveling to Turkey for treatment should discuss this with their own doctor or dentist, adding that “private companies have a financial interest in booking your treatment and their documentation should not be your only source information”.

The website says the Foreign Office “generally cannot help you if you have traveled abroad for medical treatment, for example if you have any problems with the care received or the costs involved”.

“Planned medical treatment is considered a business agreement. »

Health Secretary Wes Streeting also said he would work to improve the safety of Britons traveling abroad for cosmetic procedures.

He said: “I think we need to take this issue of overseas medical negligence and malpractice very seriously.

“My advice to British travelers is that if the deal seems too good to be true, I suspect it is too good to be true, and think twice before taking a flight abroad, paying what looks like sort of an attractive lowest price because you may end up paying the consequences for years following injuries that, in the worst cases, can be life-changing.

“I am committed to working with international partners to try to improve the security of British people abroad.

“But we also need to send a strong message to the British public to manage risks, do their homework and think very carefully before accepting offers that are too good to be true.”

Asked if the NHS should pick up the pieces when things go wrong, he said: “We’re never going to turn away people who need care, but that’s another pressure the NHS doesn’t have.” doesn’t need it.

“I therefore urge Britons – before traveling abroad – to think very carefully before accessing these cosmetic treatments which are currently being marketed at rock-bottom prices.”