A woman has shared her brutal and agonising ordeal after being left “botched” following surgery in Turkey – and claims it was like a “slaughterhouse”.
Stephanie Briggs, 33, had always longed to have “perkier” breasts, especially in her teens, but as she got older, her 34G cup size left her feeling self-conscious – especially in the bedroom.
The mum-of-three claims she had enough of putting up with them after an ex-partner called her boobs “saggy” and decided to seek out surgery.
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She came across a breast reduction procedure in Turkey costing £1,950 and booked herself in right away – but four weeks later, her stitches began leaking “green pus” and two holes had formed in her breasts.
Now, she’s sharing her harrowing ordeal to raise awareness after being left “battered” with a lifetime of scars and regret.
“It was like a slaughterhouse,” the stay-at-home mum, from East Yorkshire, told What’s The Jam.
“When my breasts started leaking, I was so worried and this carried on for four weeks with such debilitating pain.
“I was prescribed antibiotics to clear up the infection, but this didn’t work and the green gunk only got worse.
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“I had to change my bra three times a day and would have to slowly peel them off as it stuck to my wounds.
“The pain was horrendous and then I discovered two holes underneath my breasts which left me terrified as they kept getting bigger.”
Stephanie, who initially suffered with her boobs “almost reaching her belly button” due to their size, had hoped this surgery would help her get back on the dating market.
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She said: “I looked like a 60-year-woman and had issues in the bedroom, but I really wanted to finally meet someone.
“I was suffering from terrible back pain too.
“But when I discovered the surgery in Turkey, I thought my prayers had been answered.”
In May 2022, she went through with the procedure in a bid to get a body she would be “proud” of.
But as arrived, she quickly realised that her chosen surgery wasn’t like it had been advertised.
Stephanie said: “I was wheeled through some glass doors and down the corridor, where I noticed all the doors were open.
“I could see people with their bellies cut open and surgeons standing over them – it was horrific.
“I thought I was going to die there.
“I was out for seven hours and woke up in sheer agony.
“While my boobs were smaller, they felt like heavy rocks and I was filled with instant regret.”
As she arrived home, her breasts were still a 34E cup size and she immediately worried that people would think she had been “bodged” abroad.
After her aforementioned ordeal following surgery, she was left with permanent scarring and a body that she now “hates” more than before.
She hopes to share her story to raise awareness and to warn people not to go for the cheapest procedure available as it’s not worth it.
The mum added: “I think they [my boobs] are absolutely disgusting and I really hate that I cut corners because I couldn’t afford anywhere else.
“I needed two more courses of antibiotics to clear up the infection and now, thankfully, the holes have closed up.
“I’m really not happy with my breasts – one nipple is higher than the other and I’m still numb underneath.
“But I’ve got to make the most of a bad situation and at least they’re no longer saggy.
“I even walk around the house topless sometimes.
“If I could do it all again, I wouldn’t ever go back to Turkey.
“I would have waited and saved up for a reputable clinic in the UK.
“Don’t go for the cheapest option or you’ll end up like me.”
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