French man commits suicide after failed beard transplant

Content of the article

A French student took his own life after a botched beard transplant in Istanbul by an alleged surgeon impersonator.

In March 2024, 24-year-old Mathieu Vigier Latour traveled to Istanbul for a beard transplant. At the time he was studying business in Paris.

According to the Daily Mail, the cost of the transplant was about $1,950, only a fifth of what it would have been if the procedure had been done in France.

Content of the article

He found the clinic online, which seemed reliable as it was reportedly certified by the Turkish Ministry of Health. He learned after the procedure that the man who performed the transplant was allegedly not a medical professional, but a real estate agent.

After the procedure, Latour’s beard was reportedly oddly shaped and grew at an unnatural angle, like a “hedgehog.”

Over the years, Turkey has become more popular for cosmetic procedures, including nose jobs and hair transplants. The popularity is mainly due to the cheaper cost.

According to a Turkish state healthcare agency, USHAS, over 750,000 patients traveled to Turkey to receive healthcare services in 2019. In 2023, this number increased to over 1.5 million people.

Medical professionals are encouraging people considering traveling to Turkey for procedures to thoroughly research a doctor’s qualifications as the title of “cosmetic surgeon” is not protected by law, DW reports.

Dr. Susanne Punsmann, an expert at the North Rhine-Westphalia Consumer Advice Center in Germany, told Turkiye Today that it is a good idea for patients to check whether a doctor or clinic has certifications of European standards.

Content of the article

Content of the article

Latour’s father, Jacques Vigier Latour, spoke to the French television network, BFM TV, about his son’s experience.

The plan was to remove 4,000 hair grafts from the back of his head and move them to his face. Zac said the surgery caused his son’s hair to grow and shape unnaturally.

He said Latur was suffering both mentally and physically.

“He was in pain, suffering from burns and could not sleep,” he said in French.

The family tried to find a qualified specialist in France to help fix the failed transplant. After they failed, they found Dr. Jean Devroye, a hair transplant specialist based in Belgium.

Devroye examined Latour and found that 1,000 of the 4,000 hair grafts removed from his scalp would not grow back. He also concluded that Latour would be permanently scarred.

Zak said the news worsened his son’s mental health, leading him to develop body dysmorphic disorder – a mental health condition in which a person constantly worries about their appearance.

“He got into a vicious cycle,” Jacques said of Latour’s state of mind at the time, “He couldn’t get out.”

Content of the article

Three months after his transplant, Latour died by suicide in his student accommodation in Paris.

Zach hopes that by sharing his son’s story it will raise awareness for others to be cautious when considering medical procedures. He wants to warn people about the dangers that can come from low-cost medical procedures abroad.

“If this testimony could prevent this from happening again and alert everyone,” Jacques said, “I think that would be a tribute to Mathieu.”

National Post

If you are thinking about suicide or are worried about a friend or loved one, contact the Suicide Crisis Helpline by calling or texting 9-8-8 toll-free. The service is available 24/7. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911.

Our site is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, lengthy and provocative commentary. Please bookmark nationalpost.com and subscribe to our daily newsletter, Posted, here.

Content of the article