First statement from the husband of Neşe Özkan, who died after cosmetic surgery: 'Negligence that could lead to death'

Neşe Özkan, a mother of two, first made a name for herself through a television competition program. After the program, she became a social media influencer through her posts. Özkan underwent a tummy tuck and breast reduction surgery at a private hospital in Gaziosmanpaşa, Istanbul. Following the 5-hour operation, Neşe Özkan was taken to the recovery room, but was later transferred to the intensive care unit due to complaints of shortness of breath. According to allegations, Özkan's heart stopped, and she could not be saved despite medical intervention.

The full statement from İskender Özkan is as follows:

"First and foremost, Vita Estetik and Özel Bilge Hospital are responsible for my wife's death. We had the surgery at Özel Bilge Hospital. The doctor who performed the surgery and the anesthesiologist at the hospital spoke with my wife. They asked about her condition.

They asked about her previous surgeries. They asked my wife the questions that are always asked. My wife stated that she had a heart surgery at age 17 to close a hole in her heart, and that her doctor had told her afterwards that she had recovered. She told the anesthesiologist there. The anesthesiologist stated to my wife that enough time had passed and that it would not be a problem. If a doctor tells us this, there is no higher authority I can trust.

I was convinced. My wife was convinced by this answer as well. However, when I examined the documents I received from the hospital, I realized that no examination regarding her heart had been performed. I know that an ultrasound and an X-ray were taken while they were drawing my wife's blood or while she was in other rooms, but I do not know if an EKG was performed. I believe this should have been done.

When I had nose surgery, an EKG was performed, but despite my wife having a heart condition, no EKG was performed on her.

However, I can see that there was negligence here that could lead to death. Because I know that this is not a surgery that many people undergo and easily get through, and that people do not think about death at the end of it," he said.

Stating that his wife would never have taken this risk if she had known such a risk existed, Özkan said, "I think my wife was killed by an incorrect procedure, inadequate equipment, and people during the surgery. I am not saying this here. I am not saying it was an intentional act.

I am not making such an allegation. However, I can see that there was negligence here that could lead to death. My wife was a person who loved her children and her life very much. If she had known there was such a risk, my wife would not have taken it; I know her very well. In other words, I think my wife died due to the inadequacy and deficiencies of the Vita Estetik firm and Bilge Hospital. The hospital has a statement claiming that my wife became ill after waking up and talking.

Afterwards, as far as I can see in the documents, they called the anesthesiologist from their home. So, what I understand from this is: during my wife's surgery, the anesthesiologist was either not in the operating room or entered the operating room later.

They entered at the beginning, put her to sleep, and then left. They did not follow the surgery. They were not present for the recovery. The camera recordings, the operating room camera recordings, are available to the police. I have requested that they be examined regarding the hours during which the anesthesiologist was inside the operating room."