Mother of Two, 34, Was “Not Fit for Surgery” Before Tummy Tuck and BBL in Turkey and Died
An inquest has heard that a “bubbly” mother-of-two who died just two days after undergoing cosmetic surgery in Turkey may not have been medically fit for the procedures she received.
Sophie Hunt, 34, from Northampton, travelled to Istanbul in March 2022 for a tummy tuck and Brazilian Butt Lift at the private Nisantasi Hospital. She underwent the surgery on March 7, but soon after suffered catastrophic complications that ultimately led to her death.
During the inquest, Assistant Coroner Sophie Lomas read a statement from Ms Hunt’s mother, Sandra, who described alarming signs in the immediate aftermath of the operation. According to the statement, Sophie lost consciousness following surgery and experienced swelling in her hands. Hospital paperwork later revealed concerns about her heart rhythm, according to the BBC.
Sandra Hunt told the court that records showed “some of her ECG (electrocardiogram) readings indicate an abnormal heartbeat”, which her daughter was informed was not healthy. She added: “We believe she was not fit for the surgery.”
The statement also raised concerns that complications may have arisen specifically from the Brazilian Butt Lift procedure, commonly known as a BBL, particularly if too much fat was removed or injected during surgery.
The inquest heard that Ms Hunt went into multi-organ failure and suffered three cardiac arrests. She was resuscitated after the first episode but experienced a second cardiac arrest while being transferred by ambulance to another hospital with a specialist cardiac intensive care unit. She later died from respiratory and organ failure.
A report from Turkey’s Council of Forensic Medicine stated: “The individual had no known medical illnesses. She presented to hospital with dissatisfaction of the abdomen and buttocks.” The report confirmed that Ms Hunt underwent abdominoplasty and liposuction on March 7, 2022, before experiencing “sudden loss of consciousness.”
Turkish investigators concluded that Ms Hunt died “as a result of abdominoplasty and liposuction procedures and the complications that developed thereafter”.
The coroner told the court that her ability to investigate was limited. Because Ms Hunt died abroad, she said she “does not have the jurisdiction to fully investigate what happened in that hospital”, adding: “I have to reach the findings on the information I do have.”
A post-mortem examination was later carried out in the UK by consultant histopathologist Professor Kevin West after Ms Hunt’s body was repatriated. He also concluded that she died due to complications of surgery. While noting that the “exact cause of cardiopulmonary arrest is unclear”, Professor West said it was likely linked to the procedures.
The coroner recorded a narrative conclusion stating: “Sophie Hunt died due to complications of a surgical procedure carried out whilst abroad.”
In a final tribute, her mother described Sophie as “outgoing, bubbly and very kind”, adding: “She worked as a chef and enjoyed cooking and music.”
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