Quebec woman's botched breast lift in Colombia highlights dangers of cosmetic surgery tourism
A Quebec woman is warning against cosmetic surgery tourism after she went to Colombia for a breast lift because it was cheaper.
She now calls it the worst decision of her life.
Five years ago, Alexandra Denis-Bérubé found out she had a benign tumour in one of her breasts, and she was put on a wait list for surgery that would have taken four to five years.
She decided to try the private system and found out the cost for removing the tumour, plus a lift, was $16,000.
A friend then recommended she consider getting the procedure done in Colombia.
'When you're at the grocery store and you have to have two different apples that look the same, you will choose automatically the cheaper one, so this is why I took this decision,' she said.
The surgery in Colombia costs just $3,000, but she quickly found out she wasn't comparing apples to apples.
botched boob job
Denis-Bérubé said her body rejected non-dissolving stitches. (Submitted by Alexandra Denis-Bérubé)
'When I arrived in Quebec, all the complications arrived at the same time,' said Denis-Bérubé.
The surgeon, it turns out, used non-dissolving stitches, which her body began rejecting. One by one, the stitches started to come out through her now-reopened wounds.
'All of my scars are open, so it took five months to close them,' said Denis-Bérubé.
At the same time, she was dealing with complications from a second procedure called a Brazilian butt lift, or BBL.
An infection caused serious bruising on her hips and stomach.
'I would say 90 per cent — nine-zero — of our patients that we see complications of plastic surgery come from abroad,' said plastic surgeon Dr. Hani Sinno.
BBL bruising
Alexandra Denis-Bérubé said her Brazilian butt lift also came with complications. (Submitted by Alexandra Denis-Bérubé)
Sinno is not involved in Denis-Bérubé's case, but said the cosmetic tourism trend has taken off on social media and he's seen an increase in the number of hospitalizations due to complications.
'This doesn't mean that complications don't occur here in Canada, in Montreal,' said Sinno. 'What it does mean is that their patients don't have adequate follow-up, and the type of complications that they're getting is not the things that we do see here in Canada.'
Denis-Bérubé said her decision to try to save money ended up costing her more, both in physical and psychological suffering.
'I deal with it,' she said. 'I just really want to tell my story to avoid some woman to have the same pain.'
Since her trip to Colombia, she has had to undergo two more surgeries and still has at least one more to come.
She estimates that the total cost has risen to more than $40,000.
'It's probably the big the biggest mistake I've done in my life really,' she said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBC
a day ago
- CBC
Environment Canada issues air quality warnings across southern Quebec
Environment Canada has issued air quality warnings across southern Quebec due to smoke from wildfires in the Canadian Prairies. IQAir, a Swiss air quality technology company, on Saturday morning ranked Montreal as the city with the worst air quality in the world. By early afternoon, it had dropped to second place behind Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. People should limit their time outdoors and reschedule sports and other outdoor events, Environment Canada says. "During heavy smoke conditions, everyone's health is at risk regardless of their age or health status," the weather agency said in an air quality warning issued Saturday. Air quality in Quebec is expected to improve Saturday evening and reach more normal levels on Sunday. The smoke will then move toward New Brunswick and the northeastern United States. A stagnant air mass contributed to the intensity of the smoke on Saturday, but improved air circulation is expected on Sunday. Environment Canada says those most vulnerable include people with existing health conditions, seniors, pregnant women, infants, and young children, and that they should avoid strenuous outdoor activities and seek medical attention if experiencing symptoms. Mild symptoms include eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches and mild coughing. More serious symptoms include wheezing, chest pains and severe coughing. Environment Canada says people should keep windows and doors closed as much as possible while indoors. Wearing N95 masks outdoors can reduce exposure to fine particles, the agency says. Heat warnings are also in effect in southern Quebec for Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, with temperatures expected to top 30 C during the day and remain above 20 C at night. The weather agency recommends checking on elderly people and those living alone, and to watch for early signs of heat exhaustion, including headache, nausea, dizziness, thirst, dark urine and intense fatigue.
CBC
2 days ago
- CBC
‘We're witnessing starvation as a weapon of war' in Gaza: Canadian doctor
Gaza health officials are reporting nine new Palestinian deaths from hunger, bringing the total to 122 since Israel began its attacks on the territory. Dr. Joanne Perry, Canadian medical team leader for Doctors Without Borders in Gaza, says the hunger situation in the region 'is truly a humanitarian disaster.'
CTV News
2 days ago
- CTV News
Air quality and extreme heat advisory in southern Quebec
Smoke from wildfires in the Canadian Prairies is causing poor air quality and reduced visibility at times. An Environment Canada advisory issued Saturday morning recommends limiting time spent outdoors. 'During periods of dense smoke, everyone is at risk, regardless of age or health,' said the advisory, which covers southern Quebec, including the Greater Montreal area, as well as the Estrie, Lanaudière, Mauricie, and Centre-du-Québec regions. Air quality could remain poor until Sunday. People with existing health conditions, seniors, pregnant women, infants, and young children should avoid strenuous outdoor activities on Saturday and Sunday. Wearing an N95 respirator mask can reduce exposure to fine particles in smoke. Consider protecting indoor air quality during episodes of poor air quality, particularly with a clean, high-quality air filter in your ventilation system. Heat warnings are also in effect in southern Quebec for Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, particularly in Montreal, Laval, parts of the Laurentians, and the Montérégie region. 'The combination of maximum temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius and high humidity will bring humidex values close to 40 degrees on Sunday afternoon. Conditions will remain hot and humid until Tuesday, with nights being particularly uncomfortable with minimum temperatures remaining above 20 degrees Celsius,' said Environment and Climate Change Canada. Extreme heat can affect your health. It is recommended that you check on people who live alone and seniors during periods of extreme heat. In particular, watch for the first signs of heat exhaustion, such as headaches and dizziness, to avoid heat stroke. 'During extreme heat and poor air quality, the priority is to stay cool,' Environment Canada reminds us. This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on July 26, 2025.
