Mum says £4,000 surgery in Turkey left her breasts ‘oozing and black’

A mum claims a Turkish clinic ‘rushed’ to count £4,000 in front of her before botching her breast augmentation – then disappeared when she was left with ‘leaky and black’ breasts. Talyah Reid was delighted when her family came up with the money for a breast augmentation as a birthday present before her 30th birthday in September.

The 29-year-old said it was her dream to have surgery after having three children – and started researching cosmetic clinics eight years ago. The stay-at-home mom came across a clinic in Turkey that had been recommended by social media influencers. Determined to address her biggest insecurity, the mother-of-three booked the enhancement and lift in January and flew to Turkey on February 2 for the operation.

Talyah, who lives in Huyton, Merseyside, said she was initially happy with the results but soon began to experience worrying symptoms after returning to the UK. The mother said her breasts swelled to double their size and abscesses began to develop on the incision marks under her breasts.

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Doctors confirmed that the cuts were infected and covered with “dead skin”, meaning the implants would need to be removed urgently. Happily, Talyah has made a full recovery, but feels “lucky to be alive” and urges others to steer clear of cheap plastic surgery clinics abroad.

Talyah said: “I’ve wanted (breasts) done since my son was born eight years ago. I didn’t want to get bigger, I just wanted to regain what I had lost after having three children. Never. putting on a bikini or going on spa days was my biggest insecurity.

“I researched quite a few places. I looked where they were influential. I was looking for years but I didn’t have the money to do it. It’s my 30th in September and the whole family put money into it as a present. always wanted to go to this clinic and saw her previous work on social media so I decided to book her.”

Talyah forked out £4,000 in cash for the operation and went under the knife on February 3.

Talyah said: “They were so rushed, rushed with everything. I paid cash and they counted everything in front of me. Before I knew it, I was signing papers and they said I was ready to go. Everything seemed fine when I Woke up, I asked them about certain pains I was having and they told me everything was normal.

“I saw my breasts right after and they looked like what I wanted. The problems didn’t start until I got home.”

On returning to the UK, Talyah noticed a lump in her left breast, but the clinic assured her it was ‘normal’.

However, a month later, Talyah was admitted to Whiston Hospital after her right breast suddenly swelled to double its size. Doctors prescribed pain relief and antibiotics to prevent an infection, but the same breast “exploded” just two weeks later and the area under Talyah’s breasts began to turn black with bruises.

A follow-up appointment confirmed that there were infected abscesses on the incision marks where the implants were inserted – and there was a high probability that they would be removed. Talyah said: “They kept me overnight and told me I would need surgery. They said we would do our best to keep the implants, but that was not the case.

“Abscesses appeared in the hospital and the surgeon came to look, they said we couldn’t save them. They said it was going to be impossible. I was devastated. I couldn’t look at myself. I was so angry with myself. I still have them contacted and they never replied.

“They said there was dead skin under my breast so I had to remove quite a bit of skin. I was left with a lot of scars. In Turkey, I felt scared to have surgery, but I felt in safe hands in the NHS. “

After five days in hospital, Talyah was discharged and feels lucky to be alive, however her mother is now urging other women to avoid surgery in Turkey after they almost lost their lives.

Talyah said: “I feel like I was wrong. I feel lucky to be alive. I knew as soon as I came home from Turkey that something was wrong. I was in so much pain. I couldn’t even lift a kettle or push a cart I didn’t get well for months.

“I regret this operation so much. I didn’t choose the cheapest place in Turkey, I thought I booked the best place. I would tell any woman considering this operation not to go to Turkey. It’s not worth saving the money Furthermore.”

Talyah hopes to undergo corrective surgery at some point in the future. Her mother launched a fundraising page to help pay for the operation.

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