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The Sun
04-07-2025
- Health
- The Sun
My rotting nipples went black and a chunk of one fell off after Turkey boob op – don't make my mistake
WITH her self-esteem at rock bottom, mum-of-four Chloe Roiser decided there was only one way to take back control of her body - a breast op. But the 31-year-old's journey to regain her confidence turned into a living nightmare, after surgery abroad left her with rotting nipples and in "indescribable" pain. 6 6 Chloe, from Wymondham, Norfolk found her self-worth at an all-time low following years of being in an abusive relationship at a young age. While she now lives with a loving partner and four children, in 2014 she sadly lost her son, who was only 13 days old, to Group B strep, and was launched into the throes of grief - one of the hardest parts of her life. Before her surgery, Chloe was an ample 34F cup size. But after pregnancy and breastfeeding, she found that her breasts had sagged and changed shape. She tells Sun Health: "I felt deeply uncomfortable in my own body. "Being in an abusive relationship at a young age took a huge toll on my self-worth. "The surgery felt like a way to rebuild myself." Turkey to access what seemed like a well-reviewed and affordable procedure. But she wasn't prepared for what followed. She explains: "In the UK, it would have been far more expensive. I was left with wonky nipples after 'botched' Turkey boob job - the doctor totally freaked me out just before I went to sleep "The procedure cost me £3,500. I found the clinic, HappyYouHealth, through Instagram, where they posted lots of 'before and after' results. "It looked professional and reassuring." Chloe flew out in April of this year for the surgery, and while she was nervous, she was also hopeful. She decided to travel alone for the first trip. Chloe recalls: "The doctors seemed friendly and confident. The surgery was a breast uplift with implants. "It lasted a few hours and I was changed from a 34F to a 34D - although that wasn't the outcome I expected. "I didn't feel I was properly consulted about sizing or options. "But I was told it had gone well and was discharged quickly with minimal aftercare advice." 'I knew something was badly wrong' Chloe headed back to the UK to recover, but within a couple of weeks, she noticed the skin around her nipples was turning black - a sign of necrosis when body tissue dies from lack of blood flow. Chloe explains: "The area became infected, painful, and began to break down. "I messaged the clinic and sent photos, but felt I wasn't being taken seriously. "They said it looked fine and to just keep using antibiotic cream. "But I knew something was badly wrong." She contacted the NHS for help, but they were limited in what they could do, as it was a private overseas procedure. Necrosis is considered a potential complication of breast surgery, though the overall risk is relatively low. Chloe had no choice but to return to Turkey. She says: "I flew back on June 3, less than six weeks after the first surgery, this time with my partner and daughter who has autism, as she didn't want to leave my side. "I needed support, and I was also scared to go alone after what had already gone wrong. "I went back to the same clinic and they cleaned the wound under local anaesthetic, removed dead tissue, gave me antibiotics, and restitched the area. "But the damage was already done - I lost most of my nipple. "It was very serious. If left untreated, it could have spread. "I caught it just in time, but the result is permanent damage. "It was a real battle, physically and emotionally. "I cried when I spoke to my children on the phone, and I carried an unbearable amount of guilt being away from them." 'Deeply traumatised' Chloe returned to the UK after 10 days. While she's undergone basic treatment to manage the infection, she'll likely need further corrective surgery in the UK due to the loss of part of her nipple, the scarring, and the damage from the necrosis. She says: "While I wasn't charged directly for the second procedure, I paid over £3,000 for flights, accommodation and medication. "The corrective surgery in the UK will come at even more of a cost to me. "The infection has been treated and the wound is now healing, but the physical and emotional damage is far from over. "I'm relieved to be home, but I've been left deeply traumatised by everything that's happened." 6 6 Chloe adds: "I know I'm not the only one who has gone through something like this. "Sharing my story might just help someone else think twice or ask more questions before making a decision like this - and with any luck, it might also get me the support I so desperately need right now." "I absolutely regret going abroad for treatment. I wish I'd saved and had the surgery in the UK, even if it meant waiting longer. "No discount is worth this kind of trauma." Chloe's message to others is not to risk your health to save money. "Research thoroughly and don't just rely on Instagram photos," she says. "If I could go back, I'd have waited and had it done in the UK. "No amount of money saved is worth risking your life or your children's well-being. I have huge regrets." Haydar Dogruoz, general manager at HappyYou Health, tells Sun Health: "Following her recent breast surgery, she experienced a postoperative complication known as tissue necrosis. "As with any surgical procedure, such complications, although rare, can occur and require close medical attention. "We would like to emphasise that Ms. Roiser has been under our continuous care. The affected area has been carefully treated — including debridement of the necrotic tissue, followed by a new round of suturing and regular wound care. "We are committed to our patients' safety and well-being and are doing everything necessary to support Ms Roiser's recovery." Going abroad for medical treatment IF you're thinking about having medical treatment in another country, it's important to understand how it works and the risks involved. Going for medical treatment abroad is not easy and a GP or NHS England can only do so much to help you. You'll have to make the arrangements yourself, including finding a healthcare provider and making all the travel arrangements. This means it's important to do some research and gather enough information to make an informed choice. You should consider: any language barriers whether you know enough about the people who'll treat you and the facilities available communication between medical staff abroad and in the UK, such as exchanging medical records and arranging aftercare back home how to make a complaint if things go wrong – the NHS is not liable for negligence or failure of treatment You'll need to be aware of how your aftercare will be provided when you return home and understand the conditions under which you'll be treated abroad. You should also ensure you have adequate insurance. Most travel insurance policies will not cover you for planned treatment abroad, so you may need specialist cover. Follow the treatment abroad checklist from the NHS: Think about your reasons for going abroad: Make sure your decision is based on the quality of the medical care you would like to receive and not on how appealing the destination seems for a holiday. Know the warning signs: Think carefully before booking any treatment abroad if there is a hard sell, lack of information, pressure to make a quick decision, no discussion of possible complications, and no mention of aftercare. Get a second opinion: A doctor can give you a valuable second opinion as well as advice about treatment options and whether it's necessary. Do your research: Have you checked the qualifications of the medical team treating you? Have you been able to ask them questions about your treatment? Are you satisfied with the facilities and standards at the clinic or hospital where you'll be treated? Check if you can get funding for treatment abroad: Before considering paying for treatment abroad yourself, find out if you're eligible to receive funding for planned treatment in Europe. Aftercare and possible side effects or complications: Make sure you understand the possible complications and side effects that could arise from your treatment. Do the maths: If your main reason for going abroad is to save money, make sure you've factored in fluctuating exchange rates, the possibility of extending your stay if necessary and the cost of possible return trips. Check you're sufficiently insured: Before travelling abroad for treatment make sure you have appropriate travel insurance and tell your insurer about your plans to have treatment abroad. Source: NHS
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Protest at housing association after baby death
The death of a 15-week-old baby who lived in a Camden flat, managed by housing association Notting Hill Genesis, led to a protest outside its headquarters on Friday. Akram Mohammed died in February and his parents believe damp and mould contributed to their son's death. They said "no one helped" from the housing association, after repeated requests for repairs. Patrick Franco from the organisation said: "We know this is a complex situation and will continue working with the relevant authorities as they conduct their investigations." An inquest, opened by St Pancras Coroner's Court, into the baby's death has been adjourned and is due to conclude later this year. Akram's mother, Aiat Mohammed, described her son as a "happy, playful baby". His father, Abdushafi, says he hoped for him to become a doctor. In late February, their baby son started struggling to breathe. His father took him in his arms and ran to hospital. Mrs Mohammed said: "I was trying to tell myself everything is going to be OK. I was trying to calm myself. "There were more than eight doctors and more than five nurses around him." Akram's parents believe "longstanding mould and damp" in their flat contributed to their son's death. Akram's father said: "The house was mouldy and damp and I tried to explain to them many times but nobody helped." The coroner has yet to conclude the cause of death. Paperwork seen by the BBC shows repeated requests from the family, and the charity the Pillion Trust, to address damp and mould in the flat. After the family launched a complaint in 2024 to the housing association, Notting Hill Genesis admitted their "standards have fallen for not being more responsive" and offered £175 in compensation for a late response, lack of communication and for being chased on damp and mould repairs. Photos taken by the family's legal team a week after Akram's death show mould and damp present in the one-bedroom home. Mrs Mohammed said Akram struggled with the conditions. "If they just fixed those issues maybe he had a chance to live," she said. "When he was just months old I started to notice he had difficulty breathing. He could (would) breathe very, very loudly. But eventually the problems got bigger and bigger." She added: "Nobody would stay there. Even for a minute. You couldn't breathe there. You would feel it in the air. The air was mouldy." The family lawyer Mark McGhee said they have been told by the coroner's officer the pathology report stated the medical cause of death was acute pneumonia due to a late-onset Group B Strep infection and dilated cardiomyopathy, a type of heart muscle disease. The BBC has not independently seen the document. Akram's mother said: "We all know a person with pneumonia can't live in a mouldy house." The family's solicitors launched a disrepair claim against Notting Hill Genesis, and an independent survey of the flat, carried out by TLB Services found the housing association failed in its duty to ensure the property was "fit for human habitation". It found mould in every room and "defective" extractor fans in the kitchen and bathroom were "causing excessive airborne moisture". The survey advised £3,055 of repairs to be carried out, including washing the mould and fixing the extractor fans. Notting Hill Genesis said they conducted a thorough mould wash following reports of damp and mould in April 2024, which removed mould from the home. It added, in October 2024, the month prior to Akram's birth, Mr and Mrs Mohammed reported further issues of damp and mould, which the housing association was working to resolve. Mrs Mohammed said: "I would say my baby's death was avoidable. "All we wanted was a healthy environment to live [in]." Akram's parents said they have been supported by the school, of their two other children, and charities since their son's death. Mr Franco, the chief executive of Notting Hill Genesis, added: "We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Akram Mohammed. "We will continue to support the family in any way we can during this difficult time. "No determination has been made by HM Coroner as to the cause of Akram's death, and it would therefore be inappropriate to comment further or to speculate at this time." A Camden Council spokesperson said: "Akram's death is a tragedy and our thoughts are with his family at what is a very sad time. "We have been in regular contact with Notting Hill Genesis who assure us they are working to identify a suitable home for the family." Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to
Sky News
29-05-2025
- Health
- Sky News
Heartbroken parents fear mouldy house contributed to death of 15-week-old son
Aiat Mohammed still clutches one of the last babygrows her son wore. Exhausted by grief, she holds the tiny blue and green outfit tight. Occasionally, when everything becomes too much, she lifts it to her face and breathes in deeply. "I didn't wash it," she tells me, "because it's got his scent". Her son, Akram, was just 15 weeks old when he died in hospital in London on 21 February. His parents took him to hospital a day after raising concerns about his breathing. Doctors attempted CPR in front of them - but the little boy couldn't be saved. Aiat remembers the moment she saw the monitor flatline, and the medical team stepped away from his tiny body: "They said to me, 'You can come and touch his head now'. I was saying, 'Please, can you try again? Please, do the CPR again?' And they said, 'Sorry, we can't. We can't do anything anymore. We need to stop'." An inquest to determine the circumstances of how and why Akram died will be held in the summer. The family lawyer, Mark McGhee, says a pathology report suggested he died of acute pneumonia due to a late-onset Group B Strep infection. But he fears the state of their crowded and mouldy housing association flat played a part. Home riddled with damp Photos make it clear their one-bedroom Camden home was riddled with damp, long before Akram - the couple's third child - was born at the end of last year. Black mould pushed the wallpaper from the walls, stains and damp kept coming back no matter how much they scrubbed and cleaned with harsh chemicals, and no matter how much they begged the housing association - Notting Hill Genesis - for help. An independent inspection before the baby's birth in December found the landlord "in breach of its duty to ensure the property is and will remain fit for human habitation". Mould was found on either the walls or ceiling in the single bedroom, living room, bathroom and kitchen. To make things even worse, the family say that after complaining about broken windows, a contractor arrived to seal them shut - making ventilation almost impossible. Akram's father Abdushafi Mohammed, a car mechanic from Sudan, told Sky News: "You felt it in the air, in your chest as soon as you walked into the flat." Aiat remembers the "very, very rotten smell, very strange smell. You don't want to be in there for more than a minute". Their baby began to rasp at night, and then they could hear a rattle in his chest during the day. But his worried parents were told he would "grow out of it". 'Drowning in fluids' Savvas Panas, the chief executive of the Pillion Trust Charity, who has supported the family for years, told Sky News: "The child was strong, he was big and very healthy, but he was drowning, you could hear it, he was drowning in fluids." He claims to have spent months escalating concerns through the housing association, and Camden Council. Abdushafi puts it simply: "No one helped us." The cause of death is unknown, an inquest has been set up, and a coroner is expected to rule on how and why he died later in the year. Patrick Franco, chief executive of Notting Hill Genesis, said: "We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Akram Mohammed and extend our sincere condolences to his family, their friends and neighbours. We will continue to support the family in any way we can during this difficult time. "We know that this is a complex situation and will continue working with the relevant authorities as they conduct their investigations. "No determination has been made by HM Coroner as to the cause of Akram's death, and it would therefore be inappropriate to comment further or to speculate at this time." A Camden Council spokesperson said: "The council has been chasing Notting Hill Genesis on a regular basis to identify a new home for the family, and to ensure that they continue to get the right support. "Akram's death is a tragedy, and our thoughts are with his family at what is a very sad time. "As with any unexpected death, there will be an inquest to determine any contributory factors and learnings for local agencies." Richard Blakeway, housing ombudsman, said: "This is a tragic case and our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time. "Whilst the complaint was still within the landlord's complaints process when Akram passed away, and therefore we were unable to take it on as a formal investigation, we have offered support and advice to the family, including progressing their complaint with the landlord. We will continue to liaise with the family as this case progresses "Landlords should take a zero tolerant approach to damp and mould. The introduction of Awaab's Law is a positive step. However, landlords should not wait for its introduction to take further action, including proactively identifying damp and mould in homes rather than waiting for residents to report it." Complaints about conditions have risen sharply Akram's death comes as the housing ombudsman's office reveals complaints about substandard living conditions in social housing are more than five times higher than they were five years ago. The ombudsman deals with disputes between residents and social housing landlords in England, and found there were 6,380 complaints investigated in the year to March 2025, up from 1,111 in the year to March 2020. Reasons for complaints included asbestos, electrical and fire safety issues, pest control, leaks, damp and mould. 'I would have ripped that family out of there' Mr Panas said that despite their long-standing battles with the mould, he advised the family to stay in the sub-standard flat, knowing that if they left, they would lose social housing support by making themselves "intentionally homeless".
ITV News
29-05-2025
- Health
- ITV News
Family say mould contributed to baby's death as housing complaints soar in England
The family of a 15-week-old baby who died after living in a damp, mould-ridden housing association flat say they believe the conditions contributed to his death. Akram Mohammed was less than four months old when he died in February 2025, after spending his short life in a north London flat owned by Notting Hill Genesis. The walls and ceiling were covered in black mould and the property smelled of damp, and Akram's parents told ITV News they believe their landlord did not sufficiently deal with their multiple complaints about the conditions in their home. "We complained, and complained, but nothing happened," Akram's father Abdushafi told ITV News. Abdushafi and Akram's mother Aita Mohammed say they also complained to the Housing Ombudsman in the months before Akram's death, as a new report finds complaints about social housing providers across England have soared in the last five years. "We were crying out for help, but nobody hears" said Aita. When he was born, Akram was a "blessing," his mother said. "He was playful. He was a happy, happy, happy boy," Aita told ITV News. But Aita says her son was just a month old when he began showing signs of having difficulty breathing. "We started to hear him breathe loudly, especially at night... He was struggling to breathe," she said. She sought medical help, including the day before Akram died, but she does not believe his condition was taken seriously. After finding Akram in his cot struggling to breathe and frothing at the mouth, his parents rushed him to hospital but he died at the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead on February 21. The family's solicitor told ITV News that a pathology report indicated the little boy died of acute pneumonia due to late-onset Group B Strep infection. Akram, as well as Abdushafi, Aita and their other two young children were living in a severely overcrowded one-bedroom apartment. Abdushafi moved into the flat in 2013, and was later joined by his wife, and subsequently their three children. In a statement, Patrick Franco, chief executive of Notting Hill Genesis, said: 'We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Akram Mohammed and extend our sincere condolences to his family, their friends and neighbours. We will continue to support the family in any way we can during this difficult time. "We know that this is a complex situation and will continue working with the relevant authorities as they conduct their investigations. "No determination has been made by HM Coroner as to the cause of Akram's death, and it would therefore be inappropriate to comment further or to speculate at this time.' In relation to reports of damp and mould in April 2024, Notting Hill Genesis said it investigated matters and subsequently conducted a thorough mould wash. In October 2024, the month prior to Akram's birth, Mr and Mrs Mohammed reported further issues of damp and mould, which Notting Hill Genesis was working to resolve. An inquest will take place in August to determine the circumstances surrounding Akram's death. In 2022 a coroner ruled that two-year-old Awaab Ishak died as a result of breathing problems caused by mould in his family's housing association flat in Rochdale. The government is yet to fully implement 'Awaab's Law', created in his name, which would force social housing landlords to fix problems like mould, damp, and other hazards within a strict time limit. In a new report, the Housing Ombudsman has warned "simmering anger" at poor housing conditions could lead to "social disquiet". Complaints to the ombudsman about substandard housing are now almost five times higher than they were five years ago. The ombudsman, which deals with disputes between residents and social housing landlords in England, said there were 6,380 complaints investigated in the year to March 2025, up from 1,111 in the year to March 2020. Reasons for complaints included asbestos, electrical and fire safety issues, pest control and leaks, damp and mould. The ombudsman Richard Blakeway said the rise in complaints was in part down to an ITV News long-running investigation into social housing conditions, which he says has raised awareness of the issue nationally. 'We have seen how reports such as those run on ITV News have increased the number of residents who know their rights on complaints', he said. 'It has also given them confidence that their concerns will be acted upon, and this is reflected in some of our casework where repairs that were previously stalled have now been investigated by us and resolved. 'Without change we effectively risk the managed decline of one of the largest provisions of social housing in Europe, especially in areas of lowest affordability.'
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Parents warn others after baby died from Strep B
The parents of a baby boy who died from a treatable bacterial infection say they are working to help others avoid a similar tragedy. Tim and Hannah Taylor-Smith lost Zachary in November 2022 from a condition called Group B Strep (GBS) just 14 hours after his birth at the Royal Derby Hospital. An inquest last year heard neglect had contributed to his death, and the trust which runs the hospital said it was "deeply sorry". Now Mr and Mrs Taylor-Smith, from Lichfield in Staffordshire, are working with the hospital trust to improve how it works with families as well as fundraising for a related charity. GBS is a bacterial infection found in the vagina, rectum and bowel in 20 to 40% of women. GBS only presents a risk when passed to a baby around the time of labour, but as carriers have no symptoms, it can be difficult to spot. Chesterfield Coroner's Court was told Zachary was born at 36 weeks after his mother was induced because of recurrent asthma attacks. The inquest had heard he was initially healthy, but deteriorated. Midwives previously told the inquest "incorrect" actions were taken and that it was an error that Zachary was not reviewed by the neo-natal team. University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust (UHDB), which runs the hospital, admitted that had antibiotics been given to his mum before his birth, or if Zachary had been treated for infection after birth, his death from Group B Strep could have been prevented. Hospital trust 'deeply sorry' over baby deaths 'Total failures' in care of baby who lived 14 hours Midwives apologise at baby boy's inquest 'Strep B infection nearly killed me and my daughter' Mr Taylor-Smith told the Local Democracy Reporting Service more needed to be done within the healthcare sector to increase knowledge of the infection. He said: "There is quite a lot [of information] out there, but for me personally, the issue surrounding it is those in the hospital profession seem not to think it is a viable thing to bring to the attention of those who are pregnant. "We were not told about the risk of Group B Strep, and knowing about it could have been a different story. "There are so many things in the pipeline which will help raise more awareness. From raising our story, we've had so many people reach out to thank us because it has helped them." Mr Taylor-Smith took part in the London Landmarks Half Marathon earlier this month with the Group B Strep Support charity, raising about £16,000. Sarah Noble, director of midwifery at UHDB, said: "As part of our commitment to improving maternity services, we want to ensure we continue to involve families and our communities in the changes we are making. "We remain deeply sorry for what happened to Zachary, and we truly appreciate Hannah and Tim's openness, bravery and support in choosing to work closely alongside our teams – including sharing ideas for potential staff training and how we can best use the experience of families – as part of our improvement programme." Follow BBC Derby on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@ or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210. Group B Strep Support University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust Local Democracy Reporting Service
