We’ve all heard the horror stories of botched surgeries aboard. Women nipping to Europe for a half price boob job, a cheap face-lift and reduced liposuction procedures.
We’ve all looked at celebs and wondered what’s their secret? From their trim tums, plumped bums and perfect boobs- we aspire to have a bodies just like theirs.
But, for Heidi Faulkner, 32, the drive to look flawless was a bigger challenge than she could have ever imagined.
After struggling with her weight throughout her teenage and adult life, Estate Agent Heidi opted to have a gastric band fitted by surgeons in London, setting her back £8,000 in 2007.
She used to weigh in at 16 stone and sport a size 22 in clothes. And after years of failed dieting, she managed to loose seven stone over the course of three years.
However, her drastic weight loss had implications on her tummy and bottom – they became saggy, wrinkly and unflattering.
In April 2013, Heidi flew to Prague for a half price tummy tuck, setting her back just £2,000 instead of nearly £5,000 quoted in the UK.
After the successful two hour long procedure and fantastic after care, Heidi finally had the flat tum she would dream of, she ignored the horror stories of botched bodies abroad and adored her half price procedure.
But, little did she know, her next surgery would ruin her life.
Flying to the same clinic in Prague for her second surgery – nine months later in December 2013, Heidi was desperate to be rid of her ‘old ladies bum.’ She ordered a bum lift and plump for just £2,000.
Getting put under and drifting off to sleep, Heidi couldn’t wait to see her new bottom. But, waking up in severe pain, and finally unravelling the bandages to reveal her perfect bottom, her screams were uncontrollable.
Heidi has been butchered.
“When I had my first surgery in Prague in early 2013, I was very dubious to start with. But, I was so pleased with the results. The clinic was amazing, the surgeon was out of this world, and the aftercare was spot on. I would have recommend surgery in the Prague clinic to anyone.
“I have always struggled with my weight since I was teenager, and into my late twenties. I wore a size 22 and weighed 16 stone. I looked really big and hated the fact I couldn’t stick to a diet. I opted for a gastric band in 2007, it helped me shed seven stone and I felt fab. But it made my bum and tum flop, I felt as if I was trapped in a 70-year-old’s body.”
When Essex mum-of-one Heidi decided to book her second operation in late 2013, a bottom lift and plump at the same clinic, she had no reservations about it. She knew they were more than capable of giving her the dream bottom she deserved.
“I was really surprised when a male surgeon came out to grab me. I just assumed that I would have the top surgeon again. I thought I was her client. This surgeon seemed nice enough and he took me into a small room and marked onto my bottom where he’ll be making the incisions.
“He drew two large thick diagonal marks across each bum cheek, I thought this was strange, as I assumed he’ll cut across the bum cheeks horizontal, like my tummy tuck – but, he was the professional at the end of the day.”
After the two hour operation. Heidi was taken to recovery where she slept for nearly 12 hours and waited for the drugs to wear off.
“As I came around from the anaesthetic, I was longing to see my bottom. The pain I was experiencing was absolutely excruciating, but I didn’t think it was anything out of the ordinary. The nurse helped me stand after nearly 24 hours as I made my way to the toilet cubical to unravel my bandages.
“As I unwound them from my waist, I heard screaming, terrible frightening screaming. It was only moments later, that I realised the screams were coming from me.”
“After nearly two-years of suffering the effects of my botched surgery and trying to find the right person to talk to I was left in the dark. I contacted the British embassy, solicitors in the UK, solicitors in Prague, I even tried writing letter to the government, but there was nowhere to turn too.
“The clinic where no help, and couldn’t accept responsibility for the botched surgery.
“I even went back to Prague four months later to meet with the head surgeon who operated on my tummy, she told me there was absolutely nothing she could do. She said sorry and sent me on my way.”
“I had no option left but to go on the television series botched bodies on channel 4. In a two-hour operation last year, a UK surgeon based in London used equipment to suck fat from my knees, thighs and hips and inject it back into my buttocks, lift the cheeks and then erase my old scars.
“It gave my bottom a fuller shape with more buttock definition. I was thrilled that the surgeon could put my bottom back to the way it was.
“I want to warn people to think very carefully about having surgery abroad. I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy. If it seems to be good to be true, it probably is.”
