KUALA LUMPUR: A hairstylist is now RM13,616 poorer after a botched cosmetic operation left their face disfigured.
The victim, who identifies as a transgender by the name of Loo, said they opted for the operation after coming across an advertisement on social media earlier in the year.
The advertisement was for a Kepong-based beauty centre and Loo said they did not do any checks on the centre itself.
A fee of RM6,666 was paid, together with a RM150 booking fee, to the clinic on March 22.
The procedure was for a cartilage graft rhinoplasty and the beauty centre demanded an additional RM6,800 after the surgery.
Loo’s nose was swollen following the procedure and became progressively worse over time.
After 16 days, Loo found that their nose was crooked, bending to the right, and returned to the centre demanding that the damage be fixed.
However, the surgeon refused, only offering to remove the graft and half of the paid sum back.
A follow-up to a specialist in Hospital Kuala Lumpur was made and Loo was told that the damage had also led to an infection.
Other disgruntled patients have also been airing their grievances on the beauty centre’s social media page, according to Loo.
Talking to the media yesterday, Loo said that efforts to contact the surgeon and the beauty centre had failed since the last call made on April 24.
MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Seri Michael Chong, at the press conference yesterday at Wisma MCA, is considering legal aid for Loo, and that a report against the beauty centre would be filed with the Malaysian Medical Association.
Chong said Loo’s surgeon is from China and the clinic is likely not authorised to perform such procedures.
“I will contact the clinic once this conference is over. So far, I’ve had five cases of botched cosmetic surgeries, including this one.
“I advised all to do their due diligence and only go to authorised clinics, doctors and hospitals. Sometimes they are also cheaper than those so-called doctors you find on Facebook,” he added.
