British woman, 31, died while undergoing Brazilian butt-lift surgery in Turkey 


British woman, 31, died from a blocked artery in her lung while undergoing butt-lift surgery in Turkey before her wedding, inquest hears

  • Melissa Kerr, 31, had procedure last year at city’s Medicana Haznedar Hospital 
  • Cause of death was given as pulmonary thromboembolism and fat embolism 
  • Ms Kerr worked as psychological wellbeing practitioner at mental health charity

A mental health counsellor died while undergoing cosmetic butt-lift surgery at a private hospital in Turkey, an inquest heard.

Melissa Kerr, 31, of Gorleston, Norfolk, was on holiday in Istanbul when she had the procedure, which can cost up to £3,150, on November 19 last year at the city’s Medicana Haznedar Hospital.

Norfolk coroner’s court in Norwich was told how she died during the operation, known as gluteal augmentation.

Melissa Kerr, 31, of Gorleston, Norfolk, was on holiday in Istanbul when she had the procedure on November 19 last year at the city's Medicana Haznedar Hospital

Melissa Kerr, 31, of Gorleston, Norfolk, was on holiday in Istanbul when she had the procedure on November 19 last year at the city’s Medicana Haznedar Hospital

Her medical cause of death was given as pulmonary thromboembolism (blockage in one of the pulmonary arteries in your lungs) and fat embolism (the result of a piece of fat becoming lodged within a blood vessel), as a result of elective cosmetic surgery. 

Norfolk senior coroner Jacqueline Lake opened and adjourned the inquest on Friday. A full hearing will take place on April 7.

Miss Kerr worked as a psychological wellbeing practitioner at mental health charity Mind, according to a justgiving.com page.

Her twin sister Natasha who set up the page described her a ‘a pure and beautiful soul inside and out’

Natasha added on the page: ‘Words cannot describe the pain and heartbreak we are going through, life without her will never be the same again.

‘We miss her deeply and nothing will fill the emptiness we are left with.’

Animal lover Melissa also worked as a volunteer helping domestic violence victims and supporting people through bereavement.

Her medical cause of death was given as pulmonary thromboembolism and fat embolism, as a result of elective cosmetic surgery

Her medical cause of death was given as pulmonary thromboembolism and fat embolism, as a result of elective cosmetic surgery

Her medical cause of death was given as pulmonary thromboembolism and fat embolism, as a result of elective cosmetic surgery

Natasha added: ‘She was passionate about changing the world one step at a time and lived a plant based life hoping she could save the planet and as many animals along the way.’

Melissa’s partner Skye Birch left a moving Valentine’s Day message on her Facebook page on Friday, saying: ‘I will continue to love you with all my heart until my last breath.’

An inquest last November heard how beautician Leah Cambridge, 29, of Leeds, West Yorkshire, died from a pulmonary embolism shortly after having ‘Brazilian butt lift’ surgery at a private hospital in Izmir, Turkey, in August 2018.

Wakefield senior Coroner Kevin McLoughlin recorded a conclusion that the mother-of-three had died after not being fully apprised of the risks involved in the surgery.

He also called for a UK ban on the procedure.