Estonian woman suffers severe health complications after cosmetic surgery in Turkey

An Estonian woman named Kati traveled to Turkey for a tummy tuck procedure hoping to boost her confidence, but the surgery instead left her with severe health problems.

The surgery and its aftermath

In autumn 2025, Kati underwent abdominoplasty surgery in Turkey, during which excess fat and skin were removed from her abdomen, her navel was reconstructed, and sagging skin was removed from her upper arms. After returning home, the surgical wounds failed to heal for months and developed serious complications.

Kati says the procedure damaged her lymphatic system, which will continue to affect her health going forward. She reveals there were moments when she felt close to death, but decided to share her experience publicly as a warning to others.

Why she chose the surgery

Kati became a mother at a very young age, and after giving birth she was left with a noticeable cesarean scar on her abdomen. This scar bothered her for a long time and was one of the main reasons she quietly wanted the tummy tuck. She emphasizes that the decision was entirely her own — her husband told her the surgery wasn't necessary for his sake, but supported her choice.

A warning to others

Kati notes that cosmetic surgery has become almost mainstream, as many people want to look more beautiful, younger and slimmer. However, she says that when something goes wrong, it's rarely discussed openly, because people feel ashamed and suffer in silence. Looking back, Kati says that if she had known then what she knows now, she would never have taken the risk.