A man pretending to be a plastic surgeon performed breast implant surgery on a woman without an anaesthetist in his house where surgical sheets were draped over old armchairs, leaving the woman suffering from severe complications including an infection.

In his judgement published on Friday by the NSW district court, Judge Leonard Levy SC found that the patient, Kylie Turner, had been a victim of unprofessional and incompetent treatment at the hands of Dr Leslie Blackstock.

“I find that if the plaintiff had been told by the defendant that he was going to provide the described treatment without having suitable qualifications, training and experience, it would have been most improbable that the plaintiff would have submitted herself to any such operation at the hands of the defendant,” Levy found.

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Turner met Blackstock for the first time on the day of her procedure on 30 October 2014. On his website Blackstock falsely described himself as a plastic surgeon.

She requested her breast implants be inserted below her pectoral muscles for a more natural look and to reduce the risk of hardening. This was based on her research of the surgery.

Blackstock dissuaded her from this, and instead convinced her to have the implants inserted above the pectoral muscle, saying that technique would involve less risk. Turner was gowned for the surgery in a room of Blackstock’s house where she saw surgical sheets draped over old armchairs. She was then taken into another room, told to lie on a “bench-like table,” and was given an intravenous sedative. Blackstock began the surgery aided by someone who was not an anaesthetist.

“Soon after the procedure commenced, the plaintiff interrupted the operation and made it known to the defendant that she felt pain during the defendant’s surgical incisions,” Levy found.

“She was then further sedated. Afterwards, whilst still feeling the effects of the sedation, the plaintiff was assisted to sit up, at which time she was shown a mirror and asked if she was satisfied with the appearance of her implanted breasts. She said that at that time she felt sick at the sight of the incisions.”

An hour later she was sent home.

In the days that followed Turner felt increasing tightness in her breasts. The surgical incision in one breast split open, and she called Blackstock. He told her to leave the wound to heal by itself.

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Concerned, Turner went to her local doctor who found the left breast implant was exposed and infection had set-in. He prescribed antibiotics and medication for pain relief.

On 21 November 2014, Turner returned to Balckstock’s home, was gowned, and placed onto a metal trolley which was covered with a blue sheet without any underlying padding. She was given headphones and local anaesthetic, and could feel Blackstock open her left breast incision further, take out her left implant, then re-insert it, before stitching her closed.

After three remedial surgeries Turner consulted a plastic surgeon who considered the complications from the surgeries so complex that he referred her to a reconstructive surgeon. Turner became distraught when the surgeon told her the initial operation she had requested Blackstock perform, below her pectoral muscles, would have been more appropriate. She required total breast implant removal and replacement, but now has extensive scar tissue. She relies on frequent pain relief, is unable to carry out activities such as lifting, and suffers psychological distress and physical trauma.

Blackstock’s medical practice registration expired in September and he is currently suspended but not permanently banned from practising medicine.

Turner claimed damages for non-economic loss and out-of-pocket expenses. Levy awarded her damages of $204,607 and ordered Blackstock to pay her legal costs.