Britons are revealing why they opt to travel to Turkey for cosmetic treatments ranging from breast enhancements to dental work.
The Mirror interviewed a group of eight friends from Bournemouth who had collectively journeyed to Istanbul after saving up for their new “Turkey teeth.”
One of the group members, Lidz Jolly, aged 52, shared her experience, stating that she only had two molars left for chewing, and they didn’t align properly. She had them removed and planned to return in a few months to complete the procedure once she had saved enough money.
During our encounter with holidaymakers, we found them in the midst of their dental treatments, waiting for the installation of new veneers or full artificial teeth onto the existing dental pegs.
Paul Moss, aged 53, had traveled for five veneers and implants, paying £4,500 for the procedure. He mentioned that he had the implants inserted the previous night, emphasizing that such treatments would have been financially out of reach for him in England.
Another individual, Jody Hall, aged 45, had paid £4,500 to finalize a full set of dental implants. Having initially visited Turkey 18 months earlier, he had to save up to complete the surgery, explaining that financial constraints had delayed his return for the procedure.
Shazza Gibbons, aged 47, decided to join the trend, expressing frustration with the challenges of accessing an NHS dentist back home in the UK.
Reports indicate that patients often struggle to find NHS dentists willing to provide post-operative care after undergoing extensive dental procedures abroad. This is due to financial concerns, as treating such cases under NHS funding can result in financial losses for dentists.
Despite known risks, a significant number of Britons continue to travel to Turkey for affordable cosmetic surgeries.
A study in 2022 highlighted that the most frequent complication post-cosmetic surgery was wound separation and infection, with a majority of patients seeking NHS treatment for surgery-related complications having undergone procedures in Turkey.
Laura Flemming, aged 29, from Dundee, shared her experience of undergoing a breast uplift and implant in Istanbul as part of a package deal costing £3,600. She mentioned her motivation for the procedure, emphasizing the willingness to take risks for desired physical changes.
The Mirror is advocating to “Ban the Cosmetic Cowboys” following instances where individuals developed sepsis and faced fatal complications after cosmetic procedures.
In a tragic incident, Kaydell Brown, aged 38, passed away during surgery in Istanbul in 2024, where she had traveled for a tummy tuck, liposuction, and a Brazilian butt lift.
Cosmetic surgery clinics in Istanbul collaborate with major hotel chains to offer comprehensive tourism packages, with patients observed being assisted back to their hotels post-surgery.
Laura recounted facing persistent pressure from Turkish clinics through online sales tactics while researching her operation, underscoring the aggressive marketing strategies employed.
Her friend Kaitlin Jackson, aged 31, expressed her aspiration for a tummy tuck, highlighting the growing accessibility and societal acceptance of cosmetic procedures like breast enhancements and tummy tucks in Turkey.
Laura emphasized the changing perspectives on body image, noting a shift towards self-acceptance and the desire to enhance one’s appearance in pursuit of body positivity and self-enjoyment.
