Cosmetic Surgery dark side: Kate Szepanowsk reveals free procedures traded for online endorsements

Instagram influencer Kate Szepanowski (pictured) says she has received complimentary treatments to promote cosmetic clinics and brands online

Cosmetic surgeons have been accused of offering free procedures to social media stars in exchange for online endorsements.

Instagram influencer Kate Szepanowski, 23, told Four Corners she’d received complimentary treatments to promote cosmetic clinics and brands to her 45,000 followers, claiming the practice was ‘normal’. 

‘I had some cosmetic fillers, had all my laser treatments and everything like that free, facial treatments free, for like a whole year,’ Ms Szepanowski said.

‘Everyone as soon as they turn 18, they’re getting something done. And if they can get something done before they turn 18, they get their parents’ consent.

‘Instead of hiding it – like they would a few years ago – most people are flaunting it either to get discounted rates [or] doing collaborations with cosmetic surgeons.’ 

Some cosmetic surgeons have become social media stars in their own right, re-posting racy bedroom photos which their clients had sent to them

Some cosmetic surgeons have become social media stars in their own right, re-posting racy bedroom photos which their clients had sent to them

'I had some cosmetic fillers, had all my laser treatments and everything like that free, facial treatments free, for like a whole year,' Ms Szepanowski (pictured) said

‘I had some cosmetic fillers, had all my laser treatments and everything like that free, facial treatments free, for like a whole year,’ Ms Szepanowski (pictured) said

Ms Szepanowski said a surgeon offered her a half-price Brazilian butt lift, but she ‘got scared’ and refused to undergo the dangerous procedure.  

Specialist plastic surgeon Dr Pouria Moradi said exchanging free surgery for online promotion was ‘unethical and illegal’ and said he had been approached by social media stars who wanted to collaborate.

‘They write to you and it’s pretty much a standard text… saying, ”look, here’s my Insta page, I’ve got this many loyal followers. If you perform surgery for me, I will promote you on my page”,’ Dr Moradi said.

‘[It] is totality illegal, immoral and unethical… I would say no to them.’

Specialist plastic surgeon Dr Pouria Moradi (pictured) said exchanging free procedures for online promotion was 'unethical and illegal'

Specialist plastic surgeon Dr Pouria Moradi (pictured) said exchanging free procedures for online promotion was ‘unethical and illegal’

'Everyone as soon as they turn 18, they're getting something done,' Ms Szepanowski said

‘Everyone as soon as they turn 18, they’re getting something done,’ Ms Szepanowski said

Some cosmetic surgeons have become social media stars in their own right, two who call themselves ‘The King of Boobs’ and ‘The Breastmaster’.

The doctors regularly re-post racy bedroom photos which their clients had sent to them. It is not suggested either surgeon has offered to exchange social media endorsement for free or discounted procedures. 

Meanwhile, the Four Corners investigation revealed how doctors are performing low-cost procedures on women in what has been described as a ‘boob factory’ business model.

One cosmetic clinic reportedly offered implants at a heavily discounted price and on a $5-a-day payment plan. 

This photo was shared on a social media page of a cosmetic surgeon who his clients call 'the king of boobs'

This photo was shared on a social media page of a cosmetic surgeon who his clients call ‘the king of boobs’

'[It] is totality illegal, immoral and unethical... I would say no to them,' Dr Moradi said. His team are seen performing an operation

‘[It] is totality illegal, immoral and unethical… I would say no to them,’ Dr Moradi said. His team are seen performing an operation

The implants usually cost upward of $10,000, but the payment plans made the procedure drastically cheaper at $5,990. 

A former nursing unit manager claimed to the program a number of patients who had breast implants at the surgery were on Centrelink benefits. 

Another ex-employee described the company as a ‘boob factory’ and that the business model was run like ‘McDonald’s’.

Ms Szepanowski said a surgeon offered her a half-price Brazilian butt lift, but she 'got scared' and refused to undergo the dangerous procedure

Ms Szepanowski said a surgeon offered her a half-price Brazilian butt lift, but she ‘got scared’ and refused to undergo the dangerous procedure

One cosmetic clinic reportedly offered breast implants on a $5-a-day payment plan - and it's completely legal (stock)

One cosmetic clinic reportedly offered breast implants on a $5-a-day payment plan – and it’s completely legal (stock)

The former operations manager said: ‘We worked on high volume, lots of people coming through the doors and doing it at a low cost.

‘The whole system was set up just to make money. It was a boob factory.’ 

After going under the knife, patients can experience infections and pain caused by contracture of the implant, as well as deformity.  

Ms Szepanowski concluded: ‘It’s kind of just this generation I guess, it’s just kind of normal.’       

In an investigation by ABC's Four Corners, a former nursing unit manager claimed to the program a number of patients who had breast implants at the surgery were on Centrelink benefits (stock)

In an investigation by ABC’s Four Corners, a former nursing unit manager claimed to the program a number of patients who had breast implants at the surgery were on Centrelink benefits (stock)

Surgeons and influencers are believed to be teaming up with each other for discounted or free procedures exchanged for advertising (stock)

Surgeons and influencers are believed to be teaming up with each other for discounted or free procedures exchanged for advertising (stock)



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