A British man is currently in critical condition in a Turkish hospital after a routine eyelift procedure turned into a nightmare.
Ryan Taylor, 40, had traveled to Izmir last Tuesday for a blepharoplasty, a cosmetic surgery to reduce crow’s feet and wrinkles around his eyes.
While the operation seemed to go smoothly at first, things took a dangerous turn just hours later.
Unexpected Complications After Surgery
Ryan’s fiancé, Gary Jones, 44, shared the terrifying details with MailOnline, explaining that Ryan’s condition rapidly worsened after the surgery.
“He started showing signs of trouble a few hours after the procedure, but we thought it was just the anesthesia wearing off,” Gary said. Unfortunately, things spiraled quickly.
By the morning after the surgery, Ryan was rushed to Bayraklı Şehir Hospital with kidney failure, sepsis, and internal bleeding.
He was placed on dialysis and has since been in the ICU, heavily medicated and battling for his life.
Gary said, “A couple of days ago, the doctor told him if the dialysis doesn’t work, he will die.”
Ryan’s Journey and Financial Struggles
Ryan, a former Royal Navy military policeman and now a worker in the care sector, had paid £1,500 for the procedure and six nights’ accommodation.
But his travel insurance refused to cover the costs since he hadn’t informed them about the surgery.
Though the clinic is covering his medical bills, Gary has been left to raise additional funds for a medical evacuation back to the UK.
He has set up a GoFundMe page with a target of £40,000 to bring Ryan home. Meanwhile, the police have launched an investigation and have already taken Gary’s statement.
Gary’s Concerns About the Procedure
Gary, from Blackpool, admitted that he had warned Ryan against going through with the surgery but agreed to accompany him for support.
He believed the procedure would be low-risk compared to other more invasive cosmetic surgeries like Brazilian bum lifts and liposuction.
He added, “Ryan’s been worried about his eyelids for a while, but it was never a big issue for me or anyone else.
I would say to anyone thinking of having this done: your eyelids aren’t worth your life.”
The Dangers of Cosmetic Surgery Abroad
Gary’s warning echoes the tragic stories of other British nationals who have suffered from complications after undergoing cosmetic surgery abroad.
The trend of traveling to countries like Turkey for affordable beauty treatments has become increasingly popular, especially among influencers and reality TV stars.
But the risks are real. Since 2019, the UK Foreign Office has reported that 28 Britons have died after undergoing cosmetic surgery in Turkey.
Among them was Demi Agoglia, a 26-year-old mother from Salford, who tragically died just days after having a Brazilian bum lift.
Her family had tried to dissuade her from going to Turkey for the surgery, but she went ahead, and just hours before returning to Manchester, she fell ill.
Despite doctors declaring the surgery successful initially, Demi ended up in intensive care and was later pronounced dead.
Her devastated brother, Carl, 37, shared the heartbreaking news, urging others to reconsider traveling abroad for cosmetic procedures.
“If anyone is thinking of flying to Turkey for an operation, I would say don’t do it. It’s such a high risk,” Carl said. “She was only 26 and left three young children behind.”
A Growing Concern for Cosmetic Tourism
As cosmetic surgery tourism continues to grow in popularity, these tragic stories highlight the serious risks involved.
Gary’s message is clear: “I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy.”
He hopes that by sharing Ryan’s story, others will reconsider the risks of undergoing surgery in foreign countries, especially when the outcome could be so devastating.