Woman Left Unable to Close Her Eyes After Botched Cosmetic Surgery Ordered to Pay Surgeon for Defamation

 

China – A Chinese woman who says she was left with severe and lasting eye damage following a cosmetic procedure has spent years living with complications that prevent her from fully closing her eyes. In a further legal twist, she has also been ordered to pay compensation to the surgeon involved after a court ruling on defamation-related claims.

The case, which has drawn widespread attention on Chinese social media, spans both medical malpractice allegations and a complex legal dispute over public statements made after the surgery.

Cosmetic Procedure Allegedly Goes Wrong

The woman, identified in local reports as Wang, underwent a double eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) in June 2020 at a clinic in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province. The procedure is a common cosmetic operation intended to create or enhance an upper eyelid crease.

Wang reportedly paid around 12,000 yuan (approximately $1,800) for the procedure, which was carried out by an individual identified as Meng, who allegedly presented herself as both a surgeon and marketing director at the clinic.

According to Wang’s account, she was discharged on the same day, but began experiencing severe pain that night. She claims she was reassured that the symptoms would resolve within days.

However, the situation reportedly worsened over time.

Long-Term Medical Complications

Wang says she later developed serious complications, including:

• Persistent eye pain
• Outward turning of the eyelids
• Continuous fluid discharge from the eyes
• Difficulty fully closing her eyes, even during sleep

She later sought treatment at a major hospital, where doctors allegedly determined that her tear ducts had been damaged and that the original surgery had been performed incorrectly.

Medical staff reportedly recommended corrective surgery, which she underwent. However, Wang says the procedure did not fully resolve her condition.

In 2022, a local assessment reportedly classified her condition as a level 9 disability on a 10-point scale, indicating severe impairment.

Wang has also described emotional and psychological impacts, including depression, insomnia, and social withdrawal due to her condition.

Licensing Allegations and Legal Action

Wang later filed a legal complaint after investigators reportedly found that the individual who performed the surgery did not hold a valid medical license and that the clinic itself lacked proper licensing to operate.

The case escalated into a legal dispute involving both malpractice allegations and reputational claims.

Before a final court ruling, both parties reportedly entered into a settlement agreement. Under the terms, the surgeon agreed to pay Wang approximately 850,000 yuan (around $125,000) in compensation.

In return, Wang agreed to:

• Delete social media posts about the case
• Refrain from further public discussion or media interviews
• Avoid initiating additional legal action related to the incident

The agreement also included a penalty clause stating that if Wang violated the terms, she would be required to pay 400,000 yuan (about $59,000).

Dispute Over Online Statements

Following the agreement, tensions reportedly continued between the two sides. Wang later claimed that the surgeon posted videos online making accusations against her and her family.

In response, Wang and her relatives reportedly shared documents online alleging illegal medical practice and continued to speak publicly about her experience.

However, by doing so, Wang was found to have breached the settlement agreement.

Court Ruling on Defamation Agreement

A court later ruled in favor of enforcing the penalty clause, ordering Wang to repay 400,000 yuan to the surgeon in accordance with the settlement terms.

Her request for a higher-level review of the decision was reportedly rejected in May 2026, leaving the ruling in place.

A Case That Sparked Online Debate

The case has sparked discussion on Chinese social media around patient rights, medical regulation, and the risks of non-licensed cosmetic procedures.

It has also raised broader concerns about the legal consequences of settlement agreements that restrict public discussion of disputed medical outcomes.

Wang has since spoken publicly about her experience, warning others to carefully consider cosmetic surgery decisions and the potential long-term consequences.

“Protecting my rights is really difficult,” she said in a recent post. “Think carefully before undergoing cosmetic surgery, because it could lead to lifelong regret.”

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Authorities generally advise patients to verify licensing and accreditation before undergoing any cosmetic or medical procedures, and to seek treatment only from certified healthcare providers.