A woman has shared her painful ordeal after ‘failing’ a breast reduction surgery at a Turkish clinic she said was a ‘slaughterhouse’.
Stephanie Briggs, 33, said she always longed to have ‘perkier’ breasts, especially in her teenage years, and as she got older her 34G cup size left her with back pain and feeling self-conscious.
The mum-of-three claims she had had enough after an ex-partner called her breasts ‘saggy’ and decided to have surgery.
She came across a procedure costing £1,950 in Turkey 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 low-cost surgery in the country after being left ‘battered’ and suffering a lifetime of scars and regrets.
The mother-of-three claims she had had enough after comments from an ex-partner and decided to undergo surgery
Stephanie said the surgery left her in “pure agony.”
After her surgery, her stitches began to leak ‘green pus’ and two holes had formed in her breasts
“It looked like a slaughterhouse,” said the stay-at-home mother from East Yorkshire.
‘When my breasts started leaking I was so worried and this went on for four weeks in such debilitating pain.
‘I was prescribed antibiotics to clear the infection, but that didn’t help and the green gunk only got worse.
‘I had to change my bra three times a day and had to remove it slowly because it was sticking 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 reaching ‘almost to her navel’ due to their size, had hoped this operation would 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 had terrible back pain.
Stephanie, from East Yorkshire, pictured at home. She said she had hoped the surgery would give her confidence
East Yorkshire woman said she was ‘absent for seven hours’ during procedure
Stephanie’s breasts were still a 34E cup size and she was afraid people would think she was ‘bodged’ abroad
“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 the surgery she chose did not match what was advertised.
Stephanie said: ‘I was wheeled down the corridor through some glass doors where I noticed all the doors were open.
‘I could see people with their bellies cut open and surgeons standing over them – it was horrifying. I thought I was going to die there.
‘I was out for seven hours and woke up in pure agony.
‘Although my breasts were smaller, they felt like heavy stones and I immediately regretted them.’
When she got home, her breasts were still a 34E cup size and she was immediately worried that people would think she had been bodged abroad.
The post-surgery ordeal left her with permanent scars and a body that she now ‘hates’ more than before.
She hopes to share her story to raise awareness and warn people not to choose the cheapest procedure available.
The mother of three hopes to share her story to raise awareness and warn people not to opt for the cheapest procedure available
Stephanie (pictured at home) said she wished she had saved money and had the procedure done in a British clinic
The mother added: ‘I find them (my breasts) absolutely disgusting and I really hate that I cut corners because I couldn’t afford anything else.
‘I needed two more rounds of antibiotics to clear the infection and now the holes have thankfully been closed.
‘I’m really not happy with my breasts; one nipple is higher than the other and I’m still numb underneath.
‘But I have to make the best of a bad situation and at least they are no longer sagging. I sometimes even walk around the house topless.
‘If I could do it all again, I would never go back to Turkey.
‘I would have waited and saved for a reputable clinic in Britain.
‘Don’t go for the cheapest option or you’ll end up like me.’