Former Mamelodi Sundowns defender-cum-midfielder, Rivaldo Coetzee, is a free agent. Two Betway Premiership clubs have noticed.
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NEET PG Choose Exam City 2025 Author: Sarkari Exam Team Tag: PG Admission Form Short Information : National Board Of Examinations In Medical Sciences (NBE) has released the Choose Exam City Link for the NEET MD/MS/PG Diploma Admission Test 2025. Applications for the NEET PG Admission Online Form 2025 were accepted from 17 April 2025, to ... Read more
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I used ChatGPT as FREE nutritionist to rate my diet & turbocharge my health – it found TWO hidden dangers in my meals
CHATGPT is more than just my pocket therapist – it’s now my in-house dietician, too.
Armed with photos of my lunches and dinners, the no-nonsense AI chatbot found two risky mistakes I was making with all my meals, which no doubt means thousands of others will be too.
So how does it work?
Just upload a simple snap of the plate in front of you (I use the ChatGPT smartphone app for ease), which it then scans to figure out what you’re eating, and breaks it down to its nutritional contents.
Even without a description, it uses its clever machine mind to work out exactly what’s on your plate, forecast how many calories it has – and explain what the meal is missing, or has too much of.
Here’s what I uploaded – and ChatGPT’s analysis…
Meal #1: Noodle time
While not the healthiest meal in the world, a packet of Shin instant ramen is a go-to for me.
With no description from myself, ChatGPT managed to spot all the ingredients, from the shredded cabbage that was going floppy in my fridge to the dehydrated vegetables that came with the noodles.
It highlighted what was good about the meal, for example, how it was high in protein from the frozen prawns I’d added, and convenient due to the instant noodles.
Then, it explained exactly how I could make my go-to grub healthier – for example, I could have added more vegetables for fibre, sesame oil for healthy fats and tofu for calcium.
It also suggested I use a low-sodium broth or seasoning, and swap out the instant noodles for soba, udon or rice noodles – which definitely would have squashed the ‘convenience’ part of this meal.
If you tell ChatGPT your actual recipe or quantities, it can give you a more precise breakdown, too.
Meal #2: The Italian job
With this bowl of pasta, ChatGPT visually dissected the meal into two separate components: the pasta, and the bread.
However, it made a slight calculation error: there were actually three small slices of bread, not two as it said.
If you notice ChatGPT make an error like this, simply correct it and it will give you an adjusted breakdown.
The AI bot then gave me another set of strengths from the meal, such as that it was rich in healthy fats from the olive oil and nuts in pesto.
It also contained antioxidants from the basil blended into the pesto, and the olives in the fancy bread I treated myself to.
But what I thought was a fairly healthy meal – made with homemade pesto, for goodness sakes – wasn’t so much…
ChatGPT revealed that it was “moderate to high” in sodium (salt) from the Parmesan, high in refined carbs and low in protein.
What you should ask ChatGPT:
So you can get the same results, copy and paste my prompt into ChatGPT alongside a picture of your own meal:
“Analyse this meal and provide a nutritional breakdown, including calories, macronutrients, and other key nutrients.
“Then give me recommendations on what the meal is missing. Ie, not enough protein or too much sodium. Thank you!”
If you upload several meals at once, everything you eat in one day for example, you can then ask ChatGPT to spot any common problems.
Try this prompt: “Considering all of the meals above – please list all the positives and negatives they have in common.”
Image Credit: Alamy
Meal #3: Chickening out
ChatGPT’s clever AI brain can calculate the calories and nutritional content of each component of your plate.
Take this plate of roast chicken, for example, which has sides of homemade fries, broccoli and a butter tarragon sauce.
ChatGPT is able to estimate how much cholesterol is in the roast chicken and the quantity of sodium in the sauce
It then provides a breakdown of the meal with all components combined.
ChatGPT gave me a minor applause for my admittedly small portion of healthy greens and home-prepared fries, which have lower trans fats than processed ones.
It even noted that there was likely less sodium if the sauce was homemade.
The brutal verdict… and 2 hidden dangers
Taking a holistic look at three of my dinners over the past week, the AI bot warned me that my meals were all moderate to high in sodium – or salt, which can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.
It said sodium was “likely elevated across all meals (from broth, pesto cheese, olives, sauces)” and recommended I use low-sodium broth alternatives and less Parmesan cheese.
The advice ChatGPT gave me
Protein
Rating: Adequate
Notes: Well done – maintain or slightly increase if active.
Fibre
Rating: Low
Notes: Add legumes, more veg, whole grains.
Sodium
Rating: Moderate–High
Notes: Use low-sodium broths and sauces.
Fat
Rating: Balanced, but some meals high in saturated fat
Notes: Be mindful of frequency, balance with leaner meals.
Vegetable Variety
Rating: Limited (Present, but in a narrow range, minimal variety, or not in optimal balance)
Notes: Add diversity – aim for 3–4 colours per plate if possible.
Whole Grains
Rating: Lacking (Significantly below recommended levels or nearly absent)
Notes: Swap in whole wheat pasta, brown rice, grainy bread.
The AI bot also recommended I taste my food before salting it – which I certainly don’t do enough.
ChatGPT also cautioned that my fibre intake was low, which can cause constipation, which no one wants.
It worked out that most of my meals have roughly 5g to 8g of fibre in them, below the ideal 10g to 15g per meal, and I was encouraged to eat more whole grains, legumes, and more varied portions of vegetables.
ChatGPT even offered to design a meal to avert these mistakes – something lighter, higher in fibre, and low in sodium to “help round out [my] week’s eating pattern”.
It’s worth noting that the more information you give the bot, the more accurate its calculations will be.
But if like me, you’re time-poor and looking for simple, actionable snippets of advice, it’s a great free tool.
Dangerous mistakes
Let's take a look at what could happen if my diet doesn't change...
A low-fibre diet – one without enough whole grains, beans, nuts, and seeds – can lead to several health problems.
That includes constipation, digestive issues, and increased risk of chronic diseases.
Without enough fibre, the digestive process slows down.
The gut’s microbiome can be disrupted by killing off all the good bacteria, which could weaken my immune system.
A high-fibre diet can also decrease my risk of bowel and colon cancer.
Meanwhile, a high-sodium intake can lead to high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, kidney problems, and in extreme cases – brain damage.
Over time, a sodium-heavy diet can potentially lead to an increased risk of dementia and stroke.
Excess salt might also disrupt blood flow to the brain, damage blood vessels, and alter brainstem function – which can all lead to cognitive impairment.
Image Credit: Getty
One of the UK’s oldest theme parks to open first water ride in 25 years
A BEACHFRONT theme park is set to open a new log flume ride for the first time in decades.
Dreamland in Margate is one of the UK’s oldest theme parks, dating back to the 1880s.
Becoming the current Dreamland in 1920, it was forced to close a number a number of times, only to be shut for good in 2005.
Yet it reopened in 2015 after a huge £25million renovations which has seen a number of new rides and attractions.
And one of the newest rides opening this year is the Log Flume.
The theme park once had the water ride more than 25 years ago, only to close the ride and sell it off.
However, it is set to reopen at the theme park.
The park’s operation manager Jack King said: “Anyone that works in the attractions industry or is an avid fan of all things Theme Park will appreciate the dying breed that is a UK based classic Log Flume.
“It is with absolute pride to see the installation of our new classic Reverchon Log Flume.
“It is so exciting to actually say Dreamland Margate will be opening its first Log Flume in about 25 years.”
An official opening date for the ride is yet to be confirmed.
In the mean time, you can also ride the Scenic Railway, one of the oldest wooden rollercoasters in the UK.
The Big Wheel, Pirate Ship, Dodgems and Rock ‘N’ Roller roller coaster are some other rides at the park.
Inside there is a huge roller rick and arcade as well.
And the theme park also runs a number of live music events, with big name acts this year include Haim, Tom Jones, McFly, Dizzee Rascal and Billy Ocean.
The theme park is free to visit, although they introduced new rider wristbands this year.
The £24.99 all-day wristbands give guests unlimited access to the rides.
Some even said Dreamland once rivalled Disneyland.
Chris Britcher, who grew up in Kent, told local media: “The early eighties was a time when the ultimate holiday seemed to be a mortgage-busting ticket to Florida and the Disney parks.
“But to me, as enticing as some of the rides across the pond seemed, Disney’s saccharine brand was enough to make Dreamland, the theme park formerly known, temporarily, as Bembom Brothers, appear to have their beating at every level.
“This was British charm, soaked in temperamental British sunshine and with good old British grit and grime thrown in.
Here is another major attraction opening at a UK theme park.
And a brand new theme park is opening in Europe – here is everything we know so far.
Ex EastEnders actress has ‘breakdown’ as she spots her ribs in picture after illness led to dramatic weight loss
MELISSA Suffield has shared an emotional post on social media after she unintentionally lost weight because of an illness.
Melissa, 32, was diagnosed with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) after experiencing “horrible nausea” in 2023.
Since battling SIBO, the former Lucy Beale star has shed weight unintentionally, with the results of this now visible.
Sharing a snap from inside a fitting room, Melissa could be seen donning a bright green plunging dress.
“I had a bit of a breakdown today,” Melissa began her post.
She said: “Today has been not a very good day.
“I had a bit of a menty b in the changing rooms while I was filming some bits.
“I’m sure light didn’t help, but I could see my ribs visible in the middle of my chest,” she explained, referring to her chest area visible because of the plunging neckline.
Melissa added: “And I just totally lost it. Like, cartoon floods of tears, unable to catch breath, that sort of thing.
“You can see it on my face, like I am seconds away from breaking the f*ck down. And that is indeed what then happened.”
Getting even more emotional, Melissa went on: “It’s just such a visible reminder of how much SIBO has taken from me. How much else I’ve lost along with the weight.
‘I HATE IT’
“And that doesn’t even begin to cover the mental/emotional impact.
“The fact that we glorify weight loss so much much is weighing so heavy on me, especially when I look in the mirror and see this. I hate it.
“I know there are people who would be overjoyed to see this, but when you lose the weight like this, trust me, it’s not a nice feeling. There is no accomplishment. Just a reminder of everything you have lost.
“And no matter how often I talk about it, I’m going through it alone. Nobody will ever truly understand, even if they’re going through it themselves.
“Nobody else will know what I’m thinking when my legs feel so heavy I can barely manage the stairs. Or how lonely it is when you’re still awake at 3am because the nausea won’t let you lay down.”
What is SIBO?
SIBO is also known as Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth.
Melissa experiences nausea, reflux, constipation, and other symptoms like her hair falling out and suffering from dry skin.
According to the Mayo Clinic, the condition occurs “when there is an abnormal increase in the overall bacterial population in the small intestine — particularly types of bacteria not commonly found in that part of the digestive tract.”
Symptoms are listed as a loss of appetite, abdominal pain, nausea, bloating, an uncomfortable feeling of fullness after eating, diarrhea, unintentional weight loss, and malnutrition.
Melissa then spoke about how she often talks about body confidence and embracing change, but noted how “this feels different” because there is “nothing to embrace”.
ANGRY BECAUSE OF SIBO
She added how the impact her long term illness has had on her body image is “wild” before saying her body is “broken”.
The former soap star then said how she has to be a mother, an attentive partner, a cleaner, a cook and everything else in between, but when she was in the changing room, it was just her.
“But in that changing room, nobody else, I’m just me. There aren’t any responsibilities or asks.
“So she puts it all down and she breaks in half.
“And then she dries her eyes, and she cracks on. Again,” she said.
Melissa then revealed the “two good things” to come out of the “breakdown”.
“I got angry,” she penned, revealing the first “good thing”.
“Yet again, another renewed fire for talking about SIBO. For educating as many people as possible. For helping people understand the symptoms, for forcing healthcare professionals to sit up and listen, for changing the perception, and for advocating for treatment.
“A fight I will always show up for, no matter what.”
She then revealed the second “good thing”, saying: “I bought the dress anyway. Because I love the colour, the cut, and of course, the pockets.
“I’m not going to let SIBO take anything else from me.”
‘THERE’S NO JOY’
Last year, Melissa opened up about her unintentional weight loss exclusively to The Sun.
“Obviously, I’ve lost quite a lot of weight this year,” Melissa began, adding: “But absolutely none of that has been through choice. None of it. Like I’m back in my pre-pregnancy jeans.”
‘She added: “But there’s no joy,” noting: “I don’t enjoy the fact that that’s happened at all in the way that you know, that’s like a goal for a lot of people.
“A) It was never a goal for me. But B) this is the complete antithesis of whatever I’ve ever wanted with my body.
“So that’s been tricky for sure. And then also, just on top of that, like my skin and my hair has been like affected.
“Now I’m dealing with feelings of, you know, not enjoying the way that I look, which is frustrating because I’ve done such a lot of work to get me to a place where.”
Normal-looking 3-bed house leaves people horrified by what’s hiding in the back garden – as people cry ‘it must stink’
FROM the outside, this semi-detached house for sale in County Durham doesn’t look too out of the ordinary.
However, people have been left grossed out at the photo of the back garden of this £130,000 property.
While the three-bedroom pad has a walled garden with turf, it’s the upkeep that has left internet viewers scratching their heads.
The photo, which was featured on the listing page, showed the garden appearing to be completely covered in dog poo.
The pooch in question was also in the shot, and it seemed like a lot of cleaning would need to take place to restore the faux grass.
According to the listing: “The well-kept home features 3 bedrooms, three-piece bathroom, spacious lounge, kitchen and rear garden space.”
The image has since been deleted from the site, but not before TikTok users had screenshotted it and shared their amazement.
The @housinghorrors account wrote on a video which has nearly 970,000 views: “I’ve never seen so much dog poop in my life.”
Zooming in on the dog, he wrote: “There is the culprit.
“He’s actually pretty cute, it’s not his fault. The owners have obviously not cleaned up after him.”
Many people were shocked at the sight, with one saying: “It’s plastic grass too, that will absolutely stink.”
Another added: “Poor neighbours.”
And a third commented: “The estate agent probably gave them fair warning to clean it up before going to take pictures.”
And one joked: “The dog showcasing his artwork.”
Aside from the poop, the home is said to have “valuable amenities in close proximity” and offers “rewarding rental returns.”
INCREASE YOUR HOME’S VALUE
The Sun spoke to Jonathan Rolande, property expert from the National Association of Property Buyers, who offered his top tip for selling your home – and it involves buying flowers and plants.
Sourcing up your space with some greenery will not only make it look better, but can also increase the value of your home by thousands of pounds.
Jonathan said: “You can spend about £200 on plants, and they can change the look of a room and make it feel fresh and bright.
“And you can take them with you afterwards.
“It increases the saleability. You buy some nice plants, clean the rooms and the estate agent photos will look a lot better.
“This means you get more people looking around, more competition, and you can barter the price more.”
Employing Jonathan’s tip could see you see you boost your sale price by roughly £2,800, all for minimal investment.
Jonathan added: “People buy into the dream of a house, the idea that you could move yourself in there.
“You can’t put a price on that. That’s what sells the property.”
Home upgrades that add the most value to a house
The best renovation to add value totally depends on your property, the local market and your potential buyers.
Zoopla shared a list of upgrades that will instantly add value to your home.
- Loft conversion – increase of 15%
- Off-street parking – adds £50,000 to property price
- New kitchen – increase of 15%
- Garage conversion – increase of 15%
- Cellar or basement conversion – increase of 10-15%
- Open plan living space – increase of 3-5%
- New bathroom – increase of 3-5%
Glastonbury warning over ‘highly infectious’ disease as health officials urge festival-goers to take precautions
PEOPLE heading to Glastonbury and other festivals this year have been warned of about a “circulating” infection amid ongoing outbreaks across Europe.
With thousands set to head to Worthy Farm for the UK’s biggest music festival, from June 25 to June 2, health officials are urging those attending to take precautions.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has warned measles is “circulating across the country” – with case numbers particularly high in the South West.
In its latest report, the UKHSA confirmed 109 cases of the Victorian-era disease were recorded in April and 86 in May.
And unvaccinated children aged 10 years and under have been the worst hit.
Families going abroad for their summer holidays this year, and people mixing in large crowds at festivals, has raised fears of another surge of measles cases across the country.
Dr Alasdair Wood, consultant in Health Protection at UKHSA South West, told ITV News: “We want festival-goers to enjoy their time at Glastonbury and other festivals this year.
“Being aware of the current health risks will help those attending enjoy their time, as much as possible.
“Measles is circulating across the country, and festivals are the perfect place for measles to spread.
“If you’re not fully vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella, please contact your GP to see if you can get an appointment before coming to the festival.
“If you feel unwell or have been advised isolate as a result of measles or another infection, please continue to do so.”
Measles is a serious illness that can cause complications in some people, particularly younger children, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems.
Most people with measles see it resolve on its own.
But serious complications include pneumonia, encephalitis (brain inflammation), or even death.
The virus is spread when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes, says the NHS.
And you’re infectious from when you first have symptoms (around four days before the rash appears) until four days after you get the rash.
Measles usually starts with cold-like symptoms, such as a high temperature, runny nose, sneezing, and a cough, followed by a rash a few days later.
Some people may also get small spots in their mouth.
A few days after the cold-like symptoms, a rash usually appears.
The rash starts on the face and behind the ears before spreading to the rest of the body.
Spots are sometimes raised and join together, and aren’t usually itchy.
The most effective way to protect yourself and others from measles is through vaccination with the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine.
Two doses of the MMR vaccine offer lifelong protection.
In the UK, children are typically offered the first dose at 12 months old and the second at three years and four months.
If you get measles, it’s crucial to rest, drink plenty of fluids, and take over-the-counter pain relievers like paracetamol or ibuprofen to manage symptoms.
You should also stay home to prevent spreading the infection, as measles is highly contagious.
Seek immediate medical attention if you or your child experience difficulty breathing, seizures, confusion, decreased alertness, or signs of severe dehydration.
Other warning signs include severe vomiting or diarrhoea, chest pain, neck stiffness, or a rash that doesn’t fade when pressed.
Expert answers MMR questions
TO help deal with parental concerns, Professor Helen Bedford, a specialist in child public health at University College London, tells you all you need to know about the MMR vaccine.
When is the vaccine given?
The MMR vaccine is part of the NHS Routine Childhood Immunisation Programme.
It’s typically given via a single shot into the muscle of the thigh or the upper arm.
The first dose is offered to children at the age of one (babies younger than this may have some protection from antibodies passed on from their mother, which start to wear off at about 12 months.)
The second dose is then offered to children aged three years and four months before they start school.
To check to see if you or your child have had the recommended two doses of MMR, you can look at their/your Personal Child Health Record, also known as the red book.
If you can’t find the red book, call your GP and ask them for your vaccine records.
You are never too old to catch up with your MMR vaccine.
If you see from your vaccination records that you did not receive two doses as a child, you can book a vaccination appointment.
Is the vaccine safe?
The MMR vaccine is safe and effective at preventing measles, mumps and rubella.
In the UK, we started using the jab in 1988, so we have decades of experience using it.
The jab is made from much-weakened live versions of the three viruses.
This triggers the immune system to produce antibodies that are protective in the face of future exposure.
It takes up to three weeks after having the vaccine to be fully protected.
Like any vaccine, the MMR jab can cause side-effects, which are usually mild and go away very quickly.
This includes rash, high temperature, loss of appetite and a general feeling of being unwell for about two or three days.
There is also a very small chance children can have a severe allergic reaction.
But compared to the complications of measles, there is no contest that vaccination is by far the safest and most effective route to take.
Why was it linked with autism?
In 1998, Andrew Wakefield and his colleagues published a now-discredited paper in medical journal The Lancet.
The paper suggested that the MMR vaccine might be associated with autism and a form of bowel disease.
It led to a sharp decline in vaccination rates.
Even at the time, the research was considered poor.
The Lancet retracted the story in 2010 after Wakefield’s article was found “dishonest” by the General Medical Council.
He was later struck off and subsequently, in 2011, the British Medical Journal declared the story fraudulent.
Does it contain ingredients from pigs?
There are two types of MMR jabs: One with gelatin (animal/pig collagen), and one without it.
For some religious groups, the inclusion of pig products is not acceptable.
Those people should ask for the vaccine without gelatin.
Moment multiple cars & 30-tonne HGV collide in terrifying high-speed motorway pile-up… but is everything as it seems?
THIS is the moment a huge pile-up takes place on a motorway, involving multiple cars, a caravan and a huge 30-tonne heavy goods vehicle.
But while the destruction and terror brought about by the incident are all very real, not all is as it seems.
Indeed, the high-speed crash was all part of a carefully planned experiment conducted as part of a Channel 4 documentary titled Pile Up – The World’s Biggest Crash Test.
Carried out at a former RAF base in Scotland, the experiment involved recreating a high-speed motorway pile-up with eight vehicles and a 30-tonne lorry.
The cars involved were a Toyota Prius, Porsche Boxster, Volkswagen Golf GTI, Ford F-150, Audi A8, Dodge Grand Caravan, Mercedes ML and a Vauxhall Vivaro van.
The team used an almost 2-mile-long stretch of road, which was presumably an aircraft runway, and included white lines, a hard shoulder and motorway-grade varioguard barriers to make everything as realistic as possible.
Professor James Brighton and his team from Cranfield University’s Advanced Vehicle Engineering Centre led the study, which thankfully utilised cars that were remote-controlled from ‘pods’ but driven at motorway speeds.
Four members of the public took part, each selected to represent a cross-section of road users.
To make the pile-up as realistic as possible and to capture genuine reactions, the four selected drivers had no knowledge of the true nature of the experiment.
They were revealed as 19-year-old Caitlyn, who represents inexperienced drivers aged 17 to 24; Luke, 26, a “boy racer,” reflecting young male drivers who account for 65% of serious injuries or deaths; 66-year-old Lynn, representing older drivers aged 60+; and Tito, 57, a surfer and international driver familiar with UK and US road differences.
All four believed they were taking part in an experiment to improve motorway safety and advance their driving skills and were unaware they would be involved in a high-speed multi-car pile-up.
As they drove along at speed, a lorry swerved into their lanes to simulate a pile-up.
Over 90 cameras, drones and black boxes were used to capture the moment of impact, recording crash dynamics, vehicle data and driver reactions.
The experiment provides valuable insights into crash dynamics, safety systems and human behaviour during multi-vehicle accidents, while also highlighting areas for improvement in vehicle design and accident analysis.
The aftermath of the crash replicated several intricate details, such as a car sliding under the lorry and also demonstrated crumple zones, which are effective at absorbing impacts and saving lives.
Statistics on road safety
- Multi-vehicle crashes: Account for nearly 20% of all fatal road accidents in the UK (2020 data)
- Frequency of accidents: Someone is killed or injured on British roads every 16 minutes
- Injury and death rates: In 2022, almost 75,000 car occupants were injured, and nearly 800 died
- Speeding: 45% of UK drivers exceed motorway speed limits; speeding is a factor in 24% of fatal crashes
- Seatbelt use: 24% of drivers killed weren’t wearing seatbelts
For example, despite a massive rear shunt from a van, the Prius’ electric battery remained intact.
Afterwards, Marcus Rowe, a crash investigator, was sent to the scene of the accident – having not witnessed the crash – to figure out what happened using crash forensics.
One concerning finding was that airbags might not always deploy and largely depend on where the vehicle is hit, showing that safety systems can struggle with multiple impacts.
One thing that can’t be determined is a driver’s reaction in the heat of the moment, as one panicked motorist accelerated into the lorry, despite having come to a stop safely.
Lastly, it found that the hard shoulder is a dangerous place to be, as any drivers or passengers in the cars on the mock-up hard shoulder would most likely have lost their lives.
Speaking on the experiment, David Twohig, an Automotive Engineering Consultant, said: “The beauty of a lab-based crash test is everything is controlled.
“Everything is repeatable, but unfortunately, the real world is not a laboratory, and there are many, many variables.
“It might be the weather conditions, it might be the friction of the road surface, it might be temperature, humidity, the state of the driver, the mood of the driver – so I think that’s the limitation of the lab, it’s almost too good.”
Pile Up – World’s Biggest Crash Test airs Sunday 15 June at 9pm on Channel 4.
‘Traumatic’ clinics, ghost doctors killing patients… the new surgery hotspot Brits are rushing to despite stark warnings
IT’S time for Turkey to move over, there’s a new country taking over as the hotspot for surgery, and it’s an even longer flight.
The destination has become so popular that the country’s Tourist Organisation now offers ‘plastic surgery certificates’ for patients returning home with their brand new, unrecognisable faces.
In South Korea’s capital Seoul, the streets of Gangnam are lit up with posters promising a full makeover with little down time.
And with 457 plastic surgery clinics to choose from in the 15-mile area, you have more than enough options to pick from.
Whether you’re going for a nose job, chin implants, or a concoction of laser treatments, the surge in beauty treatments for a while left surgery tourists stuck in the airport, facing questions about why their passport photos didn’t look like them.
It’s no secret South Korea has had global domination in recent years thanks to the rising popularity of K pop, but it’s also their beauty scene that has tourists swarming there.
In fact, skincare from the country is now so popular that Boots reveal one Korean beauty product sells almost every 15 seconds and K Beauty represents over a tenth of everyday skincare sales at the British retailer.
And surgery in the country is one of the cheapest in the world, while a boob job would set you back £6,000 in England and £3,500 in Turkey, it will costs just £3,300 here.
UK tourism to the country has skyrocketed in recent years, going from 44,000 in 2022 to 147,000 last year.
It’s also the country that performs the most plastic surgery in the world per capita, with an industry worth £7.9 billion, mainly down to tourists.
‘Assembly Lines’
A quick look at TikTok shows many Brits heading there for a quick makeovers at a cheap price, and it seems convenient too.
Thuy, from the UK, jets to the country every single year for beauty treatments at Lamiche, a popular clinic for tourists.
On her most recent trip, Thuy got 12 skincare treatments in a single go and while she admitted they were not for the ‘weak-hearted’, she did say the pain was ultimately worth it.
Reviews online were not as keen on the practice, claiming it was like being in a factory, rushing people through to make a quick buck.
One wrote: “Factory-like experience, non-personal at all. They flood you with several treatment recommendations in one go, we were four people we all heard the same ‘issues’ with our face.”
Another said: “In one word: traumatic. You’re moved around floors quickly and without time to make decisions about what is happening.
“The treatment room is kind of spooky and the laser people come in and begin the treatments without warning or telling you what each treatment is.
“Once the treatment began someone came in and halted it to make me sign consent forms and share side effects that hadn’t been mentioned during the consultation.
“I had a panic attack because one person started doing a treatment I had declined without warning.
“None of the people doing the treatments spoke English, so while I was crying there was no way I could communicate with them.”
“The consultation with the doctor was 3-5 minutes. Felt like on an assembly line. They didn’t allow me to take pictures of my scanned skin. Better safe your money,” penned a third.
What are the risks of getting surgery abroad?
IT'S important to do your research if you're thinking about having cosmetic surgery abroad.
It can cost less than in the UK, but you need to weigh up potential savings against the potential risks.
Safety standards in different countries may not be as high.
No surgery is risk-free. Complications can happen after surgery in the UK or abroad.
If you have complications after an operation in the UK, the surgeon is responsible for providing follow-up treatment.
Overseas clinics may not provide follow-up treatment, or they may not provide it to the same standard as in the UK.
Also, they may not have a healthcare professional in the UK you can visit if you have any problems.
Source: NHS
One of the larger problems with getting surgery in South Korea is the language barrier, as noted by some reviewers.
The lack of communication during treatment is not okay.
Lamiche Patient
Many claim professionals couldn’t explain what procedures they were having done or the pain they would experience.
Another wrote: “After you pay for the service, the interpreter leaves you in the hands of the nurses and doctors.
“This is where things need to be improved. The lack of communication during treatment is not okay.
“I was put in the worst pain I’ve ever felt and at no point during the first part of my treatment did the nurse stop to check if I was okay.”
The lack of transparency means it can be hard to decipher what clients are genuinely experiencing and what is biased reviews.
Fabulous has reached out to Lamiche Dermatology for comment.
Ghost Doctors
But assembly line laser treatments aren’t the worst beauty dangers in the country.
The rise of beauty tourism in the country has put such a strain on the industry that it has led to ‘ghost doctors’ operating on unknowing patients.
While many will have consultations with certified doctors, they disappear once the patient has gone under, swapping them for less qualified surgeons to complete the operation.
It is, of course, illegal, but it was a common occurrence in South Korea for years until one mum refused to back down after her son died during a relatively simple plastic surgery.
On 8 September 2016, Kwon Dae-hee, a university student, went to a plastic surgery clinic called Center A in Seoul to get his jaw ‘fixed’.
Kwon had been bullied since his school years because of his prominent chin, so he decided to spend £4,000 to get it slimmed down.
The 24-year-old trusted the clinic, which boasted it was “14 Years In Business Without A Single Medical Accident.”
The surgery is relatively easy and quick to perform, taking around one to two hours, but Dae-hee was on the operating table for hours before slipping into a 49-day coma and ultimately dying from his injuries.
I immediately felt that I needed that evidence.
Lee Na-geum
The plastic surgeon called for an ambulance at 11:30pm that night, reports Rotten Mango, claiming Kwon was conscious but had low blood pressure and may need a transfusion.
But when Kwon arrived, doctors were frantically trying to save his life as his heart had stopped for two minutes and he had lost two-thirds of the blood in his body.
The day after the surgery, the plastic surgeon went to the hospital, claiming the procedure went on as normal and offered CCTV footage of the operating room to prove it
It is not a requirement nationwide, but some clinics do so to increase trust. “I immediately felt that I needed that evidence,” said Kwon’s mother, Lee Na-geum.
He was declared brain dead the next day, and while Kwon lay in a coma, his mother watched the footage over 500 times, trying to piece together what went wrong.
‘Blood Mopped 13 Times’
In the footage, the surgery starts at 12:56 p.m. when the plastic surgeon begins to cut Kwon’s jawbone.
There were also three nursing assistants in the room.
After an hour, the first plastic surgeon left, and another doctor entered the operating room.
The two surgeons entered and left the room, but for almost 30 minutes, there was no doctor in the operating room at all, although nursing assistants were present.
The clinic advertised that the head doctor would operate from start to finish, but the CCTV showed that was not the case.
While he did cut Kwon’s jaw bones, the rest of the surgery was completed by a doctor with no plastic surgery license and who had just graduated from medical school.
The surgery finally finished at 4:17 p.m., more than three hours after it started, according to the footage.
According to Kim Seon-woong, the former law director of the Korean Association of Plastic Surgeons, who has run a plastic surgery clinic for 25 years, jaw surgery like the one Kwon had should take an hour and a half or less for an experienced doctor, reports CNN.
When the surgery was over, both of the doctors went home, leaving nurses in charge of Kwon.
Kwon’s mother looked on as blood poured out of his body onto the floor while nurses did nothing to stop it.
Instead, they corrected their makeup or looked at their cellphones. In total, they mopped the bloody floor 13 times.
When medical professionals evaluated the footage, they found he had likely lost three times as much blood as what the doctors had said when they called the emergency services.
“I don’t think this ghost doctor checked how much blood my son shed,” she added. “I was so angry at that fact. Had just one of the three doctors checked how much he bled,” she said, “but no one did.”
Despite Kwon’s death, the clinic stayed open and continued to advertise that it had gone 14 years without a patient experiencing any accident. The clinic closed in 2020. It is unclear why.
His mother and father moved to Seoul to protest outside parliament daily for CCTV to be in every operating room since Kwon died.
In 2021, the law was passed, and the plastic surgeon was sentenced to involuntary manslaughter and imprisoned for three years.
However, not everyone is pleased with CCTV in surgery rooms.
The bill had faced criticism by doctors, hospitals and several medical groups in the country, including the 140,000-member Korean Medical Association (KMA).
They claim the move will violate patient privacy and discourage doctors from taking risks to save lives.
While those in the industry are not a fan, the wider public is.
Jeong Seoung-eun, who had attended Kwon’s court case to support his family, said: “I want to show my support so my country can become a better one by correcting faults in the (medical) system.”