A leading clinical negligence lawyer is warning people to think twice about elective cosmetic surgery after the premature death of Denise Hendry, wife of former Scotland football captain Colin Hendry.
Denise Hendry, who was 43, suffered punctures to her bowel and colon and later, blood poisoning, after a ‘tummy tuck’ procedure at the private Broughton Park Hospital in Preston. She had the elective surgery to try to regain her figure after the birth of her fourth child in 2002.
She endured several surgical procedures to try to correct the damage and this year spent 11 weeks at Salford Royal Hospital after the latest reconstructive surgery on her abdomen. However she died on July 10th after contracting an infection.
Denise’s funeral took place on Friday (July 17th 2009).
Louise Griffiths, a Clinical Negligence Partner at North West law firm Stephensons Solicitors LLP, said: “Denise Hendry’s tragic death at just 43 highlights the very real dangers of elective cosmetic surgery. Many women make the decision to have this type of surgery after having children but it is common for them not to calculate the risk they are taking with their future well-being and in some cases, their lives.”
According to a report from America, liposuction has a mortality rate of one in just more than every 5,000 procedures. About 15,000 people undergo liposuction in Britain every year.
“Deaths from liposuction are extremely rare but there are many complications which can arise such as temporary or permanent numbness or fat getting into the blood vessels which can travel to the lungs and cause a fatal blockage. Like Denise, internal organs can be damaged which will require further surgery. In addition, red scars may take a long time to heal and a disruption of the fluid balance of the body can occur, caused by fluid being injected and sucked out, which can cause breathing problems and could be fatal.
“Denise’s early death should be a wake-up call to those considering surgery of this sort – are the aesthetic results really worth the risks?
“I see many people who have suffered at the hands of medical professionals whilst undergoing cosmetic procedures such as breast enhancements, liposuction, facelifts and dental treatments. Unfortunately, complications happen and the risks should not be underestimated or ignored.”
Denise Hendry fervently campaigned about the dangers of cosmetic surgery and urged people to check the credentials of surgeons before going under the knife. Her solicitors secured her an undisclosed substantial damages payout in 2006.
The doctor who carried out the liposuction surgery at Preston’s Broughton Park, Dr Gustaf Aniansson, no longer practices in this country after he voluntarily removed himself from the General Medical Council's register.
Stephensons has extensive experience in securing settlements for people who have suffered at the hands of medical professionals and is able to offer a range of funding methods to those who wish to pursue a claim, including access to legal aid funding or conditional fee arrangements.