Plastic surgeon 'gave woman twisted lip'

The GMC is hearing allegations against a surgeon

A businesswoman was left with a twisted mouth by a cosmetic surgeon who promised her perfect lips, a disciplinary hearing has been told.

Rosaline McGhee, of Hockley, Essex, said she wanted "a slightly fuller look", but Dr Bernard Hertzog left her with lips that were lopsided.

The allegation of serious professional misconduct is denied by Dr Hertzog, who comes from France.

Ms McGhee told a hearing of the General Medical Council (GMC) on Wednesday that her mouth still feels sore almost two years after her treatment at the French Cosmetic Medical Company in Wimpole Street, central London.

'Nothing drastic'

She now has a "permanent thickness" around her lips despite the doctor telling her the implant would be temporary, the hearing was told.

My top lip went off to the right and my bottom lip went to the left - my mouth was drooping

Rosaline McGhee

Dr Hertzog, of Old Church Street, Chelsea, London, is accused having acted unprofessionally and below the standard of care expected.

The hearing was told that when Ms McGhee was first seen by Dr Hertzog she explained she was interested in a '"minor lip enhancement", but emphasised that she wanted "nothing drastic or permanent".

During the consultation she was not warned of any side-effects or potential complications, she told the inquiry.

'Swollen'

The GMC heard that the 'Dermalive' implants injected into the woman's lips contained acrylic, which is retained indefinitely.

She said: "I asked the doctor if I would be alright for work the next day. He assured me that it would be fine."

But after the lip line injection Ms McGhee noticed her bottom lip was "obviously lopsided" and swollen.

Dr Hertzog told her the swelling was normal and would settle by the following day, the inquiry was told.

'Disgusting results'

But Ms McGhee's lips began to blister and remained visibly uneven.

"My top lip went off to the right and my bottom lip went to the left - my mouth was drooping," she said.

Almost two years on, Ms McGhee said it still feels uncomfortable when eating hard foods while she has suffered embarrassment from the "disgusting results".

The doctor is not attending the hearing, but the GMC heard he is now living in Paris working as a cosmetic surgeon.

The hearing continues.