A British grandmother described as "full of life and joy" died after undergoing a breast augmentation and tummy tuck in Turkey, an inquest has heard. Caroline Baker, 47, from Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, traveled to Antalya with her daughter Kayden for the four-hour dual procedure in July 2025.
Fatal Complications After Surgery
Post-surgery, Baker began gasping for air and suffered a cardiac arrest. Turkish authorities initially recorded the cause of death as a heart attack, but a UK post-mortem found no evidence of heart scarring or consistent signs of a heart attack. Pathologist Dr. Adnan Al-Badri noted signs of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and fatty deposits in her lungs.
Senior Coroner Christopher Wilkinson told Winchester Coroners' Court that Baker may have died from "natural causes exacerbated by the effects of surgery." He recorded an open conclusion due to a lack of detailed information from Turkish authorities.
Daughter's Heartbreaking Account
In a statement read out by her father, Kayden recalled the terrifying moments after the surgery: "The surgery was scheduled for around four hours. The hours continued passing by, and nurses arrived to take her recovery bed into the other room. This was when I began to panic." Medical staff initially said the procedure was successful but then revealed Baker "became ill and began gasping for air when her heart stopped." They attempted resuscitation for 47 minutes but could not revive her.
Medical Findings and Toxicology
The UK post-mortem confirmed the surgeries were performed successfully with no signs of infection or sepsis. A toxicology report showed elevated levels of prescribed antidepressants alongside standard anaesthesia drugs, but toxicologist Peter Streete said it was not sufficient to conclude they contributed to her death. Coroner Wilkinson stated, "It is more than likely that COPD or lung infection has caused extra pressure on her heart."
Family's Grief
Baker's husband Graham paid tribute: "My wife was a much-loved mother, wife and grandmother. She was full of life and joy. No words can seek to comprehend the pain we go through every single day." The coroner extended condolences to the family, noting the lack of evidence to explain the exact medical cause of death or the extent surgery contributed.
