Gina Heslop
Yulia Tarasevich, a former runner-up in the Miss Russia beauty contest, decided to undergo plastic surgery in hopes of maintaining her youthful appearance. At 43 years old, Yulia felt that it was time to address some signs of aging.
She chose what she believed was the best clinic in Krasnodar, Russia, and selected a highly recommended surgeon for the job. The procedure cost her $4,000, and she expected it to go smoothly, especially since she had successfully undergone rhinoplasty in the past.
Unfortunately, this surgery turned into a nightmare for Yulia. Instead of enhancing her looks, the procedure left her with severe and life-altering complications. Yulia spoke out about her experience on Channel 1, where she described how her “beautiful, healthy face” was disfigured.
She had undergone a facelift, blepharoplasty (removal of excess eyelid skin), and cheek fat reduction. However, these procedures resulted in serious problems. Yulia couldn’t close her eyes, smile, or even lift her upper lip. Part of her face became paralyzed, and she was left with scars on her cheeks where tissue had been removed.
The situation worsened as Yulia needed emergency follow-up surgeries to prevent necrosis, a condition where cells in the body’s tissues die. Despite these efforts, she continued to suffer from the damage caused by the initial surgery.
Yulia also developed scleroderma, a rare condition that causes skin hardening, which she believes was triggered by the surgery. She blamed the surgeons, Dr. Andrey Komarov and Dr. Omar Khaled, for her condition and took them to court.
Yulia accused the doctors of not taking responsibility for the botched surgery, and she decided to seek justice through legal action. The follow-up procedures alone cost her $27,000. Dr. Omar Khaled dismissed Yulia’s claims as exaggerated, but the Russian Investigative Committee launched an investigation into the matter. The investigation aimed to determine the severity of the harm done to Yulia and to identify any other patients who might have suffered from poor-quality services at the clinic.
The Prosecutor’s Office of the Krasnodar Territory eventually charged Dr. Andrey Komarov, stating that he provided services that did not meet the necessary health and safety standards.
If found guilty, he could face up to six years in prison and be required to pay $5,000. Yulia also sued the doctor in a civil case for the emotional and physical pain she endured, including depression and the inability to close her eyes or smile properly due to facial asymmetry.
