NSW woman can’t afford corrective surgery after botched operation

A mum-of-two who fell victim to a “rogue cosmetic surgeon” she describes as a “monster” claims the surgery has ruined her life.

For almost two decades, Rachael Archer dreamt of having breast surgery to boost her confidence after having kids.

And finally, around two years ago, she thought she’d found the perfect solution.

She discovered Dr Les Blackstock, a doctor with rave reviews who ran a cut-price clinic in western Sydney.

After researching the clinic and Dr Blackstock and reading multiple glowing reviews, Ms Archer decided on a $6990 breast augmentation.

The NSW South Coast mum-of-two says she was convinced Dr Blackstock was a qualified and experienced surgeon — but it turns out he was nothing more than a general practitioner, and he was also unlicensed at the time of her surgery.

Rachael Archer wants better protections for patients. Picture: Supplied

She said the operation was “horrendous” — but it was only the beginning of her nightmare.

“I was semiconscious, blindfolded and screaming in pain as I felt him ripping apart my breast tissue,” she told news.com.au.

“He also sat me up in front of a mirror with extenders in my breast asking me if I was happy with the size.

“I was half-conscious but could see my breast cut open and tubes hanging out of the incision with blood and everything else.”

Two weeks after her “excruciating” surgery, Ms Archer was rushed to hospital where it was revealed she had two haematomas — or internal bleeding — in both breasts.

She was prescribed painkillers and antibiotics to prevent infection and told news.com.au she had been “butchered”.

“This monster has ruined my life — I had wanted this for almost 20 years, and as my children were older I was finally able to do something for me,” she said.

“I wanted them to give me more self-confidence, instead I’ve ended up with extremely painful saggy breasts that are positioned wrong.”

Ms Archer contacted the clinic shortly after the surgery to report she was “still in a lot of pain … my left breast is the worst with constant sharp stabbing pains”.

However, an email sent to Ms Archer by the clinic reveals she was denied post-operative care.

“Please keep in contact with your regular GP as Dr Blackstock is unable to provide any medical consults at this stage,” the email reads.

She’s also been left with a suspected ruptured implant but said she couldn’t afford an MRI to investigate properly, let alone further surgery to have the implants replaced.

Dr Blackstock’s licence was finally suspended in 2017 following an investigation by The Daily Telegraph.

However, Ms Archer said the NSW government had received complaints about his conduct as far back as 2014, but he had been allowed to continue practising.

She said if the government had acted on those complaints, she and many other women would not have fallen victim.

Ms Archer was one of a group of former patients of Dr Blackstock who went public with their story in an April episode of Sunday Night.

At the time, reporter Angela Cox revealed Dr Blackstock was suspended by the Medical Council of New South Wales but had not yet been deregistered.

Sunday Night also tracked him down to the Gold Coast hinterland, where he lives in a $3 million hilltop property bought in his wife’s name, although he refused to comment on the allegations against him.

Ms Archer told news.com.au she had an ongoing civil case against Dr Blackstock, but it seemed like she “wouldn’t get a cent”.

A group of former patients of Dr Blackstock appeared on Sunday Night earlier this year. Source: Channel 7

“I’m not greedy — I just want my breast fixed and my health back,” she said.

“I’m absolutely broken. I’m disgusted beyond belief.”

She said there was a “good possibility” Dr Blackstock’s insurance would be null and void as he was uninsured and unlicensed at the time, and a “pathetic” $255,000 fine he was slapped with after facing court on criminal charges in July wouldn’t go to his former patients.

“I have approached certified plastic surgeons to have their prices reduced but none will help me,” Ms Archer said.

“I’m trying desperately to get a meeting with the health minister to ask him to help lower costs for victims of malpractice so that we can afford to have the reconstruction surgery we desperately need.”

Ms Archer said she couldn’t afford to pay the more than $60,000 needed for corrective surgery.

“It’s devastating, I feel violated — I put my trust in someone I thought was professional and qualified … but he wasn’t,” she said.

“It’s absolutely crazy. Sometimes I just burst into tears. It has affected my relationship with my partner because even though he’s very supportive, it can be draining.

Dr Les Blackstock in a YouTube video talking about breast implants. Picture: YouTube

“I don’t look like a 40-year-old woman who has had a breast augmentation, I look like a 60-year-old with saggy boobs. It’s done a lot of damage and brought my confidence down further.”

She said the current system was “broken” and there needed to be more public awareness of differing qualifications.

According to Nicole Montgomery — the founder of Trusted Surgeons, an online platform that helps patients choose a qualified, well-recommended plastic surgeon — there was a great deal of confusion over the terms “cosmetic” and “plastic” surgery.

Plastic surgeons must complete years of specialist surgical training on top of their initial medical degree — but medical practitioners don’t need surgical training to practise under the title of cosmetic surgeon.

Outside Dr Blackstock's former medical practice. Source: Channel 7

She said when choosing a surgeon, patients should look for a professional who was qualified by a recognised surgical program and who had completed the Royal College of Surgeons program in plastic surgery within the country they studied.

She said membership of trusted organisations such as the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), Australian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS), International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ISAPS), New Zealand Society of Plastic Surgeons (NZAPS), British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS), American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) or Fellows of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) was also a good sign.

She said patients should also ask how many of the procedures the doctor had performed in the past 12 months, how they managed complications as well as the revision policy of the clinic.

News.com.au attempted to reach Dr Blackstock for comment.