Top TV surgeon agrees to pay £100,000 damages to woman who had stroke during facelift

One of the world's leading plastic surgeons has agreed to pay a six-figure compensation package to a woman who had a stroke while he carried out a facelift.

Diane Newbould was left with permanent speech, emotional and psychological problems after suffering the stroke while being operated on by London-based surgeon Jan Stanek.

The doctor, who appears on the Channel 4 reality show 10 Years Younger, agreed to an out-of-court settlement at London's High Court.

His clinic is also facing legal action from BBC newsreader Kate Silverton after she was left with a bloated face when she went to have minor scars treated.

Mr Stanek was accused of failing to take into account Mrs Newbould's poor medical history before agreeing to carry out a facelift and liposculpture.

She was obese, a heavy smoker and her medical problems included bronchitis and a history of hypertension.

Lawyers for Mrs Newbould claimed she should have been told to 'undergo significant lifestyle changes' - particularly to lose weight and cut down on cigarettes - before she had the operation at a private London facility in January 2002.

Her blood pressure was said to have fluctuated widely during the operation and, when her daughter saw her afterwards, she was paralysed down her right side.

Her lawyers alleged she had suffered a 'cerebral infarction' or blocked blood vessel which caused the stroke during the operation.

Mrs Newbould sued Mr Stanek and the anaesthetist involved in the operation, claiming their negligence had wrecked her life.

The settlement was approved at a brief hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice by Mr Justice Cranston.

Lawyers for Mr Stanek, who is based in Wimpole Street and has a private clinic in Chiswick, settled the claim without admitting liability.

Six years after the operation Mrs Newbould, 53, still has problems speaking, has limited comprehension skills and finds it difficult even to read a book or watch TV.

She will need care throughout her life.

Mrs Newbould has since moved from her Sheffield home to Spain, where she and her husband, who has also suffered two strokes, are cared for by her daughter and son-in-law.

After the hearing the couple's solicitor, Janet baker, said: 'They are very happy that this has settled and Mrs Newbould has been spared the anxiety of having to come to court to go through a trial.'

The solicitor said the compensation would be invested and used to cover the costs of her client's future care.
Mr Stanek is one of the world's leading cosmetic surgeons.

The Oxford-educated fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons is a frequent lecturer on 'aesthetic surgery' and has published journal articles and books on his area of expertise.