Sun, Sea, Surgery and Sepsis? Britons Warned Over Cosmetic Surgery Abroad as Major Study Reveals Serious Complications

Anyone considering travelling overseas for cosmetic surgery is being urged to think carefully after a major UK study revealed that complications from procedures carried out abroad are placing a growing burden on both patients and the NHS.

The research, conducted by the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS), is the largest UK study of its kind and analysed 198 cases of people who required treatment after returning home from cosmetic surgery overseas. 

The findings highlight the potentially serious consequences of chasing lower-cost procedures without fully understanding the risks involved.

According to the study, nearly three-quarters of patients required further medical treatment or surgery once back in the UK, while almost half needed corrective operations under general anaesthetic. The complications ranged from severe infections and wounds reopening to tissue death and fluid build-up requiring repeated treatment. Tragically, one patient died after suffering a pulmonary embolism.

The majority of complications followed procedures carried out in Turkey, accounting for 76% of the cases studied. Women represented 93% of patients, with an average age of just 39. Tummy tucks (abdominoplasty) were the most common procedure associated with complications, while many patients had undergone several major cosmetic operations during the same trip abroad.

The study found 37% of patients experienced wounds that failed to heal properly, 28% developed infections, 24% suffered fluid collections known as seromas, and 20% experienced tissue necrosis, where skin or fat dies due to poor blood supply.

BAAPS believes several factors are contributing to the growing problem. These include the popularity of social media advertising, influencer endorsements and all-inclusive cosmetic surgery holiday packages, which often focus on low prices while paying less attention to the realities of recovery and aftercare.

Surgeons treating returning patients reported concerns including inadequate follow-up care, patients being accepted for surgery despite significant health risks, multiple complex procedures being performed during one operation, and people flying home before it was medically advisable.

The financial impact is also significant. BAAPS estimates that treating these complications has already cost the NHS between £1.2 million and £1.8 million, although the true figure is likely to be much higher because many cases are treated by emergency departments, GPs and other hospital specialties without being included in the association's database.

BAAPS President Nora Nugent warned that cosmetic surgery should never be viewed as a holiday activity.

She told That's Health that while overseas clinics often promote luxury hotels, attractive prices and impressive before-and-after photographs, they rarely show the patients who return home with serious infections, open wounds or life-threatening complications.

The association stresses that many overseas surgeons provide excellent care and that millions of cosmetic procedures are performed safely around the world each year. 

However, anyone considering travelling abroad should thoroughly research their surgeon, verify professional accreditation, understand exactly what aftercare will be available, ensure they are medically fit for surgery and avoid making decisions based on price alone.

BAAPS is calling for greater public awareness, tighter regulation of overseas cosmetic surgery advertising, improved monitoring of complications within the NHS and consideration of compulsory complication insurance for patients travelling abroad for cosmetic procedures.

As the study concludes, what appears to be a bargain operation can quickly become a very costly complication, both for the patient and for the health service.

To learn more visit baaps.org.uk

That's Health will also be covering the risks of travelling overseas for dental work in the near future.

National Recognition for Kentown Support’s Collaborative Approach to Children’s Palliative Care

Kentown Support has been recognised for its pioneering approach to children's palliative care after winning the Partnership Working Across Health and Social Care Award at the 2026 Palliative and End of Life Care Awards.

The national honour celebrates the organisation's commitment to bringing together health and social care services to provide coordinated, family-centred support for seriously ill children and young people. It recognises teams that demonstrate outstanding collaboration across multiple organisations, creating lasting improvements that extend beyond individual services.

The award highlights the success of the Kentown programme model, which aims to ensure every child with a life-limiting condition and their family can access integrated, round-the-clock community palliative care wherever they live in the UK.

Judges were particularly impressed by Kentown Support's work in Greater Manchester, praising the programme for bringing together ten commissioners alongside a range of charitable organisations under a single, joined-up framework.

In their citation, the judging panel said the Greater Manchester programme: "Delivers an exceptional entry that demonstrates outstanding cross-system integration by uniting ten commissioners and multiple charities under one framework. The unique single point of access creates a true multidisciplinary team."

The comments reflect the organisation's belief that the best outcomes for families come when healthcare professionals, charities and social care providers work seamlessly together rather than in isolation.

By creating a single point of access and encouraging genuine collaboration between partners, Kentown Support has helped bridge gaps that can often exist between services. This integrated approach makes it easier for families to access the support they need while ensuring children receive the right care, from the right professionals, at the right time.

For families already coping with the emotional and practical challenges of caring for a seriously ill child, reducing the complexity of navigating multiple services can make a significant difference. A coordinated approach also helps professionals share expertise and resources more effectively, leading to better continuity of care.

The award also recognises the commitment of Kentown Support's many partners across Greater Manchester, whose willingness to work together has helped create a more connected and responsive support network for local families.

Dr Helena Dunbar, Chief Executive of Kentown Support, said she was immensely proud of the achievement. She told That's Health: "I'm incredibly proud to receive this recognition and would like to thank everyone who has contributed to making this model a success.

"This achievement belongs to all those who share our ambition to transform children's palliative care through partnership, innovation and integrated working. Together, we are making a real difference to the lives of seriously ill children, young people and their families."

The award underlines how effective partnership working can transform children's palliative care, ensuring families receive compassionate, coordinated support when they need it most.

www.kentownsupport.org.uk

Discover Your Ability 2026 Inspires Hundreds and Raised £20,000 for Disability Charity

Able2B's Discover Your Ability 2026 brought together more than 250 participants to celebrate inclusion, raise over £20,000 and prove that disability does not define potential.

Over 250 people from across the UK and Europe came together in Norwich for Able2B's flagship Discover Your Ability 2026 event, raising more than £20,000 so far while delivering an inspiring reminder that disability should never define a person's potential.

Rather than focusing on competition, the annual event celebrates determination, inclusion and personal achievement. 

Children, young people and adults living with disabilities, neurological conditions and long-term health conditions tackled a series of physical challenges side by side, encouraging one another every step of the way.

For the team at Able2B, the day represents much more than a fundraising event. It demonstrates the charity's belief that with the right support, encouragement and opportunities, people can achieve far more than they or others may once have believed possible.

Throughout the day there were countless inspirational moments.

Tommy, who suffered a global brain injury following an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, had once been told he was unlikely to survive and would never walk or communicate again. This year he independently completed the course in his powered wheelchair before walking the final 30 to 40 metres with support.

Twenty-four-year-old Holly, who had been unable to stand just four months ago after spending around three years in a wheelchair, thrilled supporters by running approximately 200 metres across the finish line.

Participants also travelled from Ireland, Germany and across Britain. Among them was Anke, who lives with cerebral palsy. After previously being told she required a hip replacement because of severe pain, she completed the course using hiking poles, pain free, following support from Able2B.

Eight-year-old Harry also captured hearts. Just three years ago he relied on a K-walker and lacked the confidence to join in with other children. This year he spent the day running lap after lap with his teammates as his proud parents watched from the sidelines.

Co-founder and consultant orthopaedic surgeon Rachael Hutchinson said the most powerful part of the day was seeing strangers become teammates, supporting one another regardless of their individual challenges.

Former British and European boxing champion and Able2B co-founder Jon Thaxton added that success is measured not simply by crossing a finish line, but by the confidence gained, friendships formed and perceptions changed.

With planning already underway for Discover Your Ability 2027, the charity continues to prove that when barriers are removed and opportunities are created, extraordinary things really can happen.

Those wishing to support Able2B's life-changing work can still donate through the Discover Your Ability 2026 JustGiving page, https://www.justgiving.com/page/able2b-directors-23?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL

https://www.able2b.co.uk

Free Online Ayurveda for Sleep Masterclass Offers Natural Tips for Better Rest

Discover how Ayurveda could help improve your sleep with a free online masterclass from the British Wheel of Yoga. 

Learn practical bedtime routines and natural wellbeing tips.

If you've ever climbed into bed feeling exhausted only to wake up the next morning still feeling tired, you're certainly not alone. 

Millions of people across the UK struggle to get a good night's sleep, and many regularly get less than the recommended seven hours.

The good news is that help could be just a click away.

The British Wheel of Yoga is inviting everyone to take part in a completely free online masterclass, Ayurveda for Sleep, on Wednesday 8 July from 5.00pm to 6.15pm. 

The session will be led by respected Ayurvedic practitioner and British Wheel of Yoga Teacher Trainer Tarik Dervish (PICTURED) and is open to everyone, whether you already practise yoga or are simply looking for natural ways to improve your sleep.

Rather than focusing solely on what happens once your head hits the pillow, Ayurveda takes a much broader view of health and wellbeing. 

This traditional system of medicine, which originated in India thousands of years ago, looks at how our daily routines, diet, stress levels, environment and relationship with nature all influence the quality of our sleep.

According to Tarik Dervish, sleep should never be viewed in isolation.

He explains to That's Health that Ayurveda encourages us to reconnect with the natural rhythms of the day and the world around us, helping to restore balance to both body and mind. Many of us spend our days indoors under artificial lighting, staring at screens and rushing from one task to another. 

The masterclass explores how small changes to our evening routines can help us unwind more naturally before bedtime.

During the session, participants will discover practical techniques that can be put into practice immediately. These include simple evening rituals, lifestyle adjustments and information about traditional herbs and remedies that Ayurveda associates with better sleep. There will also be a live question-and-answer session, giving attendees the opportunity to ask their own questions directly to Tarik.

Here at That's Health, we're always interested in sensible, evidence-informed ways to improve wellbeing. While Ayurveda should not be seen as a replacement for professional medical advice or treatment for persistent sleep disorders, many people find that healthy bedtime routines, reducing stress and reconnecting with natural daily rhythms can make a real difference.

If you've been finding it difficult to switch off at night or simply want to learn more about a holistic approach to better sleep, this free event could be well worth an hour of your time.

You can reserve your free place here: https://portal.bwy.org.uk/user/events/1172?

Ayurveda for Sleep – Free Online Masterclass

Spaces are limited, but the event is free for both members and non-members of the British Wheel of Yoga.

The That's Health Right and Wrong Ways to Stay Safe During the Next Heatwave

Learn the safest ways to cope with the next UK heatwave. 

Discover common mistakes to avoid and practical tips to prevent dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

When temperatures soar, it's tempting to reach for quick fixes to stay cool. Unfortunately, some of the most common ways people try to beat the heat can actually make things worse – or even put their health at risk.

With another heatwave likely to arrive this summer, now is the perfect time to separate the myths from the facts and make sure you, your family and your neighbours stay safe.

❌ Wrong: Waiting Until You're Thirsty to Drink

By the time you feel thirsty, you're already beginning to become dehydrated.

✅ Right:

Drink water regularly throughout the day, even if you don't feel thirsty. If you're sweating heavily, drinks containing electrolytes may also help replace lost salts. Limit alcohol, as it increases dehydration.

❌ Wrong: Throwing Open Every Window

Many people automatically open every window in the house.

✅ Right:

If it's hotter outside than indoors, keep windows and curtains closed during the hottest part of the day. Open them early in the morning and later in the evening when temperatures drop to let cooler air circulate.

❌ Wrong: Sitting in Front of a Powerful Fan All Day

Fans can help, but they're not a miracle cure.

✅ Right:

Electric fans work best when temperatures are below about 35°C. If they're simply blowing extremely hot air around, they may not cool you effectively. For people with allergies or respiratory conditions, consider using air purifiers or fans fitted with HEPA filtration to reduce airborne dust and pollen.

❌ Wrong: Leaving Pets or Children in Cars

Even for "just a minute".

✅ Right:

Never, ever leave children, older adults or pets in parked vehicles. Temperatures inside can rise to dangerous levels within minutes, even if the windows are slightly open.

❌ Wrong: Eating Heavy Meals

Large, hot meals can increase your body's temperature.

✅ Right:

Choose lighter meals such as salads, fruit, yoghurt and cold pasta dishes. Foods with a high water content, including watermelon, cucumber and strawberries, can also help keep you hydrated.

❌ Wrong: Ignoring Vulnerable People

Heat affects everyone differently.

✅ Right:

Older people, babies, pregnant women and those with heart, lung or kidney conditions are especially vulnerable. Check in on elderly relatives, neighbours and friends, particularly if they live alone.

❌ Wrong: Exercising During the Hottest Part of the Day

A midday jog might seem like dedication, but it can be dangerous.

✅ Right:

If you need to exercise, do it early in the morning or later in the evening. Wear loose, light-coloured clothing and drink plenty of fluids before, during and after activity.

❌ Wrong: Believing Sunburn Is the Only Risk

Heat-related illnesses can develop before your skin burns.

✅ Right:

Watch for symptoms including:

Dizziness

Headache

Muscle cramps

Excessive sweating

Nausea

Confusion

Rapid heartbeat

If someone becomes confused, stops sweating despite the heat, loses consciousness or develops a very high body temperature, seek emergency medical help immediately.

Stay One Step Ahead

Preparing for a heatwave doesn't have to be complicated. A few simple changes to your daily routine can dramatically reduce the risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

Keep a bottle of water nearby, stay out of the strongest sunshine between 11am and 3pm where possible, wear a hat and sunscreen outdoors, and don't forget to check on vulnerable neighbours.

The next heatwave may be just around the corner, but with a little planning and some common sense, you can stay cool, comfortable and healthy whatever the thermometer says.

The Asda Mobility Scooter issue. What are the facts?

A model accessibility sign 

You might have seen reports on the refusal of Asda to lend an instore mobility scooter to a disabled man, because he declined to offer them his name and address and his allegation that several security guards escorted him from the shop.

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/uk-news/asda-mobility-scooter-row-after-34201210.amp

Based on the reporting available so far, this appears to be a situation where both sides have understandable positions, but there are also legitimate questions about consistency and customer service.

What Asda's policy appears to be

Asda has publicly confirmed that it is company policy to ask customers borrowing an in-store mobility scooter to provide "a few details" (including name and address) before using one. The company says this is done for the safety of colleagues and customers and that the policy applies across all stores. It has also written to Mr Daniels explaining the policy and offered to discuss the incident further.

The Widnes store advertises that mobility scooters are available as part of its accessibility services, alongside wheelchairs and disabled facilities.

Why Asda may ask for details

Although Asda has not published a detailed public policy explaining every reason, retailers commonly request personal details because:

They are lending valuable equipment.

They need to know who is using a scooter if there is an accident or medical emergency.

Scooters occasionally leave the store or car park.

It provides accountability if equipment is damaged or abandoned.

It allows staff to identify who is using the scooter if assistance is needed.

Those are all reasonable operational and health and safety considerations.

Mr Daniels' position

Mr Daniels also raises understandable concerns.

According to the reports:

he is 73,

uses two walking sticks,

has recently been diagnosed with cancer,

says he regularly uses a scooter at another Asda branch without being asked for personal details,

refused to give his address "on principle",

says he felt humiliated after being surrounded by several security guards and asked to leave.

If his account is accurate, the differing approach between stores is significant because it creates confusion about what customers should expect.

The bigger issue may be consistency

Perhaps the most interesting health and accessibility story isn't whether Asda has the right to ask for details, it almost certainly does on private property.

Instead, the questions are:

Are all Asda stores applying the same policy?

Have staff been trained to explain why the information is needed?

Could customers be reassured about how their personal data will be used?

Does requesting this information comply with all relevant data protection laws?

Was there a more compassionate way of handling a disabled customer who was already distressed?

Many disagreements can be avoided simply by saying:

"I'm sorry, but it's company policy. We only use your details for safety while you're using the scooter."

That explanation may have prevented the situation from escalating.

A balanced conclusion

On the information currently available:

Asda appears to have been within its rights to require personal details before lending one of its mobility scooters, provided this genuinely is company policy.

Mr Daniels was equally entitled to refuse to provide those details.

Once he refused, Asda was entitled not to lend the scooter.

The unresolved question is whether the interaction could have been handled with greater empathy and consistency, particularly given Mr Daniels' age and health.

For a That's Health audience, there is a broader issue worth exploring: accessibility is about much more than ramps and mobility scooters. It is also about ensuring disabled customers are treated with dignity, that policies are applied consistently, and that staff communicate those policies clearly and compassionately.

We have looked an Asda's website and it has no information that we could easily find as to their rules regarding borrowing mobility scooters. That's an important point in itself.

We searched for Asda's published policy and, despite Asda telling the media that requesting a customer's name and address is "company policy", we could not find any publicly available page on Asda's website explaining:

who may use the scooters,

whether providing personal details is mandatory,

exactly what information is collected,

why it is collected,

how long it is retained,

or what happens if a customer refuses.

That lack of transparency is newsworthy.

For comparison, many town-centre Shopmobility schemes openly explain their borrowing conditions online. Some require users to register and present proof of identity and address before borrowing equipment, together with information about data protection and terms of use.

Asda, however, appears simply to say after incidents such as this that the requirement is "company policy", without making that policy readily accessible to customers.

"If Asda requires disabled customers to hand over personal information before using a mobility scooter, why isn't that policy clearly published on its website or displayed prominently in stores?"

That raises several perfectly reasonable questions:

Is the policy applied consistently across all Asda stores?

What information is required, just a name and address, or something more?

Is photographic ID ever required?

Under what legal basis is the personal data processed?

How long is the information retained?

Are customers given a privacy notice before providing it?

Why do some customers report using scooters without being asked for any details?

Those are questions about transparency rather than criticism.

If shops do claim to abide by various protocols and offer to help people with disabilities, then it would seem logical to have signs in the shop outlining in easy-to-read notices in a prominent position stating what disabled people can expect from the shop and, conversely, what the shop can expect from the disabled person in return.

To learn about Shop Mobility Schemes visit their website

https://www.shopmobilityuk.org/find-a-centre

New Pain Relief Research Offers Hope for Millions, Reports That's Health

Millions of people around the world live with pain every day, whether recovering from surgery, managing an injury or coping with a long-term condition. 

Now, encouraging new research from pharmaceutical company Grünenthal suggests that a completely new type of pain treatment could one day offer an effective alternative to traditional opioid medications.

The company has announced the successful completion of a Phase I clinical trial for an investigational medicine that works in an entirely different way from existing opioid painkillers. The study involved 113 healthy volunteers and found the compound to be safe and well tolerated, with no dose-related pattern of adverse effects observed during the trial.

While the treatment is still in development and has not yet been approved for patient use, the results represent an important milestone.

Grünenthal plans to begin a larger Phase II clinical trial later this year, involving around 400 patients in the United States who are undergoing bunion surgery. Bunionectomy is widely recognised by researchers as an effective way to evaluate how well new pain medicines perform after surgery. Results from this next stage of the research are expected during the second half of 2027.

A Different Way to Treat Pain

What makes this investigational medicine particularly exciting is that it targets the body's nociceptin (NOP) receptor rather than the opioid receptors affected by conventional opioid drugs.

Researchers believe this unique mechanism of action could provide meaningful pain relief while avoiding many of the side effects that have long been associated with opioid medicines, including drowsiness, constipation and respiratory depression. Importantly, no signs suggesting abuse potential were observed during the Phase I study, although much larger trials will be needed to confirm these early findings.

Dr Uli Brödl, Chief Scientific Officer at Grünenthal, said the company hopes selective activation of the nociceptin receptor could introduce an entirely new option for treating both acute and chronic pain.

Why This Matters

Pain management remains one of the biggest challenges in modern healthcare. While opioid medicines play an important role for many patients, concerns about side effects, dependence and misuse have driven researchers worldwide to search for safer alternatives.

Every successful step in developing new pain therapies brings fresh optimism for people living with painful conditions. Although there is still a long road ahead before this investigational medicine could become widely available, the completion of a successful Phase I trial is an encouraging sign.

As further clinical trials continue over the coming years, researchers will be looking to confirm whether this innovative treatment can provide the effective, long-lasting pain relief that so many patients need while maintaining a favourable safety profile.

For anyone affected by chronic pain or facing future surgery, developments like these offer genuine hope that the next generation of pain treatments could be both safer and more effective than many of today's options.

grunenthal.com