Inquest hears mother died after last-minute BBL offer in Turkey

A British mother of three died after being offered a discounted Brazilian buttlift procedure with just minutes to decide before surgery at a Turkish clinic, an inquest has heard. Hayley Dowell, 38, from Eastleigh, Hampshire, died on October 3, 2023, from a fat embolism following liposuction at the BHT Clinic in Istanbul. The inquest at Winchester Coroners Court revealed she had originally traveled to Turkey for a tummy tuck and liposuction but was upsold the additional procedure shortly before going under the knife.

The inquest heard that Mrs. Dowell and her husband, Neil Dowell, arrived in Turkey on October 1, 2023, and signed paperwork for the planned procedures. The following day, about 10 minutes before her scheduled surgery, the surgeon suggested using fat from the liposuction to enhance her bottom, which he described as "a little flat." A staff member then arrived with a card machine, offering a 1,000 discount on the BBL and giving the couple five minutes to decide and pay.

Mr. Dowell testified that he did not believe his wife signed a consent form for the BBL and that the risks of the procedure were not explained. He described the decision as a "mad rush," stating, "We...