Kathleen Morris prepares to launch legal action over facelift horror at Melbourne clinic

Kathleen Morris had dreams to work as a flight attendant for Jetstar but is now a “shell of a person” after getting a facelift at a Melbourne clinic. WARNING: Confronting

Kathleen Morris says she’s been left a shell of a person. Picture: Supplied

A woman who was left with permanent scarring and paralysis after a facelift is preparing to launch legal action against the cosmetic surgeon who operated on her.

Kathleen Morris had dreams to work as cabin crew for Jetstar but said she was now a “shell of a person” after she underwent the procedure with a surgeon at the Melbourne clinic.

“With my face now, there is no way I can ever do this job, it’s been ripped from me,” she said.

“I am withdrawn, I stay home and when I do go out, I don’t look at people, but they stare at me.”

Ms Morris booked the procedure after finding an advertisement for the facelift on Facebook.

It was promoted at the “special” reduced price of $3000 from $9000.

Kathleen Morris is issuing civil proceedings. Picture: Supplied

She was told there would be no scars but claims she has been left with visible red marks, nerve damage and paralysis in addition to psychological trauma.

The operation was a routine day surgery performed under localised anaesthetic but Ms Morris said it did little to numb the pain.

“It was the most horrific thing ever,” she said.

“I sat in the chair while he stuck needles in my face to numb it, but they didn’t work. I felt and heard the cutting of my own skin, as well as blood pouring down my face.

“I would scream that I could feel it and he would stop and jab more needles into my face.”

Ms Morris said she could smell her flesh as the surgeon tried cauterisation to quell the bleeding and the following day her face was extremely swollen.

When she went to have her stitches removed, it’s alleged an unqualified “nurse” took them out before rubbing her wounds with a rough sponge.

Ms Morris said she tried contacting the surgeon but was eventually told he was under investigation and no longer permitted to practise.

Kathleen Morris booked the procedure after a discount of $6000 was advertised. Picture: Supplied

She has since seen other surgeons who have told her there is little they can do.

Arnold Thomas Becker lawyer, Travis Fewster, whose firm is preparing a civil case against the surgeon and the clinic said he hoped they could bring closure for Ms Morris.

“We hope that by bringing these parties to account, we can send a message to any dodgy practices out there that they won’t get away with it and justice will be served, to save other people going through the same pain that Kathleen faces every day,” he said.

Ms Morris urges others to think twice before they consider cosmetic surgery.

“Try to be happy with the face you have,” she said.

“We are all unique for a reason, learn to love yourself – once you let someone touch your face with a knife, you can’t hide it if it goes horribly wrong.”

The clinic was contacted for comment.