Woman 'got black nipple and thought she would die' after cosmetic surgery in Turkey

A reality TV star thought she would die after undergoing traumatic cosmetic surgery abroad. Lauren Simon is best known for her role in ITV show The Real Housewives of Cheshire.

However she is now being treated at Pall Mall Medical, which has healthcare centres in Liverpool city centre, Newton-le-Willows and Manchester, after experiencing complications from breast surgery in Turkey. She and the medical centre are calling for stricter regulations on social media advertising these procedures and a national registry for overseas cosmetic complications.

Speaking to ITV Granda Reports, Lauren said she had massive regrets about undergoing the procedure. She said: “I thought I was going to die. I was really poorly. I nearly lost my nipple.

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“It was turning black. I think it's the necrosis of the nipple. I couldn’t sleep. I was crying. They kept telling me I was fine. I was fortunate that I rang home and my friend got in touch with a very top plastic surgeon who said, 'your nipple is dying.' The whole nipple was black, scabbed, with an infection. They kept telling me it was fine but it was oozing this liquid.”

Nipple necrosis occurs when there is a lack of blood supply to the nipple and can happen during breast surgery. Lauren said she would urge others not to have complex cosmetic surgery done abroad.

She said: “My left breast is rock hard. I’ve now found out that two different surgeons did work on my breast, [they] did different needle work on my left and my right breast.

“What you have to remember is that you’re on your own, in another country with people fobbing you off. Once you get back to the UK, there’s no aftercare, they’re not interested in you. If you have an infection or something is wrong, you can go back to them, but who wants to go back to a place where they’ve messed you up?”

The show also spoke to Stacey Bates. Stacey and her sister opted for cosmetic breast surgery abroad as it was around £6,500 cheaper but now regret it. She said: “On the day of the surgery, we were on the bed and the man came in and took the cash off us. Then the man doing the anesthesia put his mask on.

“He said, ‘time for sleep, bye bye’. Next thing, I woke up and I didn’t feel right. I hate looking in the mirror now. I was so self-conscious anyway, that’s why I had them done.

“It’s changed it in a different way. I’m embarrassed. I don’t want to look at them. I just wish I’d done my research here, bitten the bullet and had it done here.”

Pall Mall Medical have argued that, as the temptation of budget surgery packages rises among Brits, so do cases of botched results and serious complications, placing strain on both the NHS and private UK clinics. Dr Simon Theobalds, a GP and A&E Doctor at Pall Mall Medical, said: “Cosmetic surgery can be transformative when done properly. However, without the necessary safety measures, it can lead to tragic consequences both physically and emotionally.”

According to the latest figures, 28 Britons have lost their lives due to complications from overseas procedures since 2019, including seven deaths in 2024 alone – among them, the tragic case of mother-of-two Kaydell Brown, who passed away after travelling to Turkey for a Brazilian butt lift, tummy tuck, and breast augmentation costing £5,400.

Despite being a discretional choice, the healthcare centre argues the financial and emotional burden on patients and the NHS has been staggering. It’s estimated that the health service spends over £9,000 per patient on treating complications from overseas cosmetic surgeries, a situation Pall Mall describes as “unsustainable and preventable.”

Highlighting the risks of “too-good-to-be-true” social media advertising, Pall Mall warns that the allure of discounted procedures blinds many to the severe risks. Dr Theobalds said: “We see patients drawn in by deals for half-price tummy tucks or breast augmentations but these clinics often don’t match the safety standards required in the UK.

“Language barriers can also lead to misunderstandings, and hygiene standards are often compromised. People don’t realise they may be treated by unqualified practitioners, and unfortunately, some end up paying the ultimate price - their life.”

Key proposals include stricter social media advertising regulations, a national public awareness campaign and the creation of a national registry for overseas cosmetic complications. To highlight the risks, on Wednesday, November 20, Pall Mall staged a protest outside terminal two at Manchester Airport to encourage travellers considering overseas tweaks to know the facts before flying out for cut-price cosmetic procedures.

Specialists from the team also offered educational one-on-ones at Pall Mall clinics to discuss safety concerns, share insights from corrective surgeries, and provide guidance on choosing qualified surgeons. Lauren joined the protest.

Dr Theobalds said: “The costs of these cheap, quick-fix surgeries abroad extend far beyond the financial. Corrective surgeries can end up costing twice or three times the original procedure, and many patients return with infections, scarring, or other severe complications. Some don’t make it back at all. How many more lives must be lost before action is taken?”

“Our message is clear: we want to protect lives and ensure the highest standards of care. This is about more than aesthetics - it’s about saving lives.”