Nip tuck TV
It’s cheap and life-changing, but NZ surgeons offer a stark warning on cut-price cosmetic surgery: just don’t do it. John Weekes reports.
A Kiwi medical tourism company is set to debut on New Zealand television this month, promoting its success stories – despite a string of botched operations.
Gorgeous Getaways’ service has been investigated by coroners and subjected to unwanted media attention after the deaths of two clients and surgery gone wrong.
But a new series set to screen on TVNZ, Beauty and the Beach, promises to show the ‘‘nip, tuck and tan’’ success stories of its Kiwi customers.
Amanda Reid, 56, was one of those happy to take part, flying to Thailand for a breast augmentation and lift at Bangkok Hospital.
She wanted to change her appearance ‘‘after having three babies and a husband that called my breasts spaniel’s ears’’.
The husband is long gone – and so too, are her saggy breasts.
‘‘I’ve got a new man now and you know what, I wear tops that I would never have looked at.
‘‘I would certainly send both my daughters up there who also have large breasts.’’
She was confident everyone involved explained the risks and procedures clearly.
The operation cost about $10,000, a fraction of the price in New Zealand, she said.
But New Zealand surgeons have a warning to anyone considering heading to southeast Asia for cutprice surgery.
‘‘Don’t go. Don’t do it,’’ said Dr Sally Langley from the New Zealand Association of Plastic Surgeons.
She said local surgeons left to clean up the mess were familiar with horrendous complications some patients had from botched operations abroad.
‘‘We’ve all seen a few cases of broken-down wounds, infections,
I’ve got a new man now and you know what, I wear tops that I would never have looked at. I would certainly send both my daughters up there, who also have large breasts.
infected breast implants.’’
She said major concerns existed around accreditation of surgeons in some countries abroad, and any perceived financial savings could be illusory.
In 2014, Gorgeous Getaways customer Leigh Aiple died after a marathon tummy tuck, liposuction, an upper eye lift, a chin tuck, lip filler, thigh lift and chest sculpting in Malaysia.
And in 2007, Wainuiomata mother Krysia Zagrobelna died after her surgery, also organised by Gorgeous Getaways, went wrong.
At the time, Gorgeous Getaways said Zagrobelna went to a resort on an island which was not part of the pre-arranged trip, and had not contacted the company for help.
The company was not held responsible in either case.
Others have taken to the internet to voice concerns over their surgical outcomes.
But for Reid, it was a trouble-free experience.
‘‘I know everyone hears bad stories but I seem to only ever hear good.’’
Reid said the surgeons and staff in Thailand were very thorough and cautious, carrying out multiple tests before approving her surgery.
‘‘It’s elective surgery. You have to be aware there’s going to be risks.’’
Langley said local surgeons weren’t basing their concerns around a desire simply to protect their lucrative business.
‘‘We want safety for our New Zealand people.’’
She said local surgeons had a ‘‘cool-down’’ period which followed initial consultations, to protect patients from making impulsive decisions.
Dr Langley said surgery within a ‘‘couple of weeks’’ of long-distance overseas travel was unwise.
Amanda Reid