A 41-year-old woman from Telford suffered from excruciating pain and even difficulty breathing through her nose after undergoing dental implant surgery in Turkey.
Leanne Abeyance said she suffered persistent facial pain and infection, and the implants could not be removed due to the persistent infection. The dental surgery also caused a collapsed nasal septum, which the UK National Health Service (NHS) deemed cosmetic surgery and refused to repair.
Abeyance initially paid £3,000 for treatment overseas and paid £2,000 privately in the UK for pain relief. The government has repeatedly warned of the risks of undergoing cosmetic surgery abroad.
“Every day I wake up and I can’t breathe through my nose,” said Abeyance, a DJ and producer.
In April 2024, she traveled to Antalya to have four dental implants installed, having previously had veneers fitted in the country. The surgery would have cost around £50,000 in the UK, but in Türkiye, she only paid £3,000 upfront.
Before the surgery, her surgeon told her she would need a sinus lift and bone grafting, as well as veneer removal and implant placement. Abeyance said she felt sore all over during the procedure, which was performed under local anesthesia.
“During the bone grafting, I could feel a hammer hitting my cheek. After the sinus lift, my entire face felt like it was being lifted. It was bruised and swollen,” she recalled.
She had difficulty eating and sleeping for two days and was fitted with temporary dentures over the implants. Although she had planned to return in four months for permanent teeth, fear kept her from going back. After returning to the UK, her condition worsened.
She developed a sinus infection and was prescribed antibiotics, but they were ineffective. NHS dentists said they couldn’t help due to warnings against treating complications from overseas surgery.
A private dentist later confirmed through X-rays that her nose had been pierced by the implants. Although she had her temporary dentures replaced, the infection persisted.
Eventually, she was referred to the ENT department at the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford, where surgeons said the facial infection was too severe to remove the implants.
Nearly 18 months later, Abeyance still suffers from nasal infections and relies on daily medication. She is searching for a surgeon who can help.
“The implants held my face in place, but the infection spread throughout my body,” she said.
National Health Service (NHS) guidelines advise patients considering treatment abroad to weigh the risks against the lower costs and to consult an NHS dentist first.
Abeyance believes social media is a major factor driving people to seek cosmetic surgery abroad. Last month, the government partnered with TikTok influencers to warn people against undergoing cosmetic surgery abroad.
Health Secretary Carine Smith said: “Too many people return home with life-changing injuries after cosmetic surgery abroad, without proper guidance or support.”
Abeyance hopes sharing her experience will prevent others from making the same mistake.
