Dr Charlie Teo saved my life: Miracle patient jumps to the maverick surgeon's ... trends now

Dr Charlie Teo saved my life: Miracle patient jumps to the maverick surgeon's ... trends now
Dr Charlie Teo saved my life: Miracle patient jumps to the maverick surgeon's ... trends now

Dr Charlie Teo saved my life: Miracle patient jumps to the maverick surgeon's ... trends now

One of Dr Charlie Teo's miracle patients has jumped to the brain surgeon's defence as he faces a medical disciplinary hearing about two surgeries he performed that left two patients with catastrophic brain injuries.

A Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC) inquiry is investigating the circumstances surrounding the operations, including concerns patients were offered false hope regarding their chance of survival.

But Monica Lopresti, 24, says the idea of Dr Teo being cold, calculating, reckless and money hungry does not resemble her encounters with the surgeon, and credits the maverick for saving her life.

'We were told by other neurosurgeons that they could not help me. But Dr Teo gave my family and me a chance at life that nobody else could give me.'

In July 2021, she was diagnosed with a benign cystic brain tumour which, because of its location, was likely to lead to brain damage or death.

Surgeons told her that the tumour would be inoperable in Australia.

Young brain tumour survivor Monica Lopresti has revealed the heartbreaking reason she is determined to support maverick 'last chance' surgeon Dr Charlie Teo despite troubling allegations against him

Young brain tumour survivor Monica Lopresti has revealed the heartbreaking reason she is determined to support maverick 'last chance' surgeon Dr Charlie Teo despite troubling allegations against him

Sadly Monica Lopresti's dad Andrew was too sick to seek out the brilliant but controversial surgeon's help by the time the family knew he was an option (Pictured, Christina, Andrew and Monica Lopresti)

Sadly Monica Lopresti's dad Andrew was too sick to seek out the brilliant but controversial surgeon's help by the time the family knew he was an option (Pictured, Christina, Andrew and Monica Lopresti)

'By the time the neurosurgeons my mum had contacted - seven of them - told me they couldn't operate, I was already losing my eyesight.'

The family contacted Dr Teo, who agreed to operate for an undisclosed fee - but in Spain, as he isn't permitted to work here.

'I've heard the claims that Dr Teo demands $50,000 before a surgery. 'That never happened in our situation. He never even mentioned money in any consultation.

'Of course, nothing is for free in life, but this idea that Dr Teo gets a chunk of the money is just false.

'They can't take someone into hospitals before making payment, so we did make payment prior to surgery. We don't want to talk about the specifics of what it cost our family, other than to say it was worth it.

'People pay thousands of dollars for cosmetic surgery and cars and no one questions that. When a patient spends thousands on life-saving surgery - how can you put a price on it?

'But the money wasn't important to Dr Teo, what was important to him was that we knew the risks of the surgery.'

The operation was completed in August 2022, and the surgery was successful giving Ms Lopresti has been given a second chance at life.

'After my surgery was done, I had quite a few surgeons and nurses approach my mum and I, commenting on how they have never seen such delicate and neat work.

'Dr Teo needed access to the middle of my brain and did that with minimal stitches and a scar that was very neat.

'It just goes to show how he thinks outside the box constantly and is always thinking of the patient.

'It's a scar that I am incredibly proud to have and shows the incredible work of what he does.'

She is able to enjoy the same activities as any other normal young person.

'My weekends look like coffee and walks with friends, or movie nights, and like anyone, I spend my days at the beach and love swimming at Bondi beach.

'I live a pretty normal life, and I have Dr Teo to thank for that. I am convinced he was born to save lives.

Ms Lopresti told Daily Mail Australia that she believes anyone with a potentially life-threatening condition who wants to choose a radical approach should have that opportunity.

'Will future doctors and scientists not be innovative because they are afraid of being shunned by their peers?' Ms Lopresti asked.

'It's hard to understand why patients are being denied the right to choose their surgeon.'

'If it's for your life, or the life of your child, what would you do?'

Two months after being diagnosed with a benign but life-threatening tumour in mid 2022 Ms Lopresti was having surgery performed by Charlie Teo in Spain

Two months after being diagnosed with a benign but life-threatening tumour in mid 2022 Ms Lopresti was having surgery performed by Charlie Teo in Spain 

Ms Lopresti's own father died of a brain tumour in 2014, but was too sick to seek out Dr Teo's help by the time the family knew he was an option.

He died in 2014, two months short of his 46th birthday, after being diagnosed with a glioblastoma, a fast-growing and aggressive type of brain cancer, only ten months earlier.

'Where my dad's tumour was, it took everything away from him,' Ms Lopresti said.

'He had surgery and six months of chemotherapy and radiation. These treatments caused my dad to gain over 40 kilograms. He was not allowed to work, drive or be unsupervised.'

Six months into the treatment, doctors discovered his tumour had grown and explained to the family that it was time to 'make memories' and keep Mr Lopresti comfortable.

'Our family asked my dad if he wanted to seek another opinion, which would be to enquire about seeing Dr Teo, but he was tired, and his wish was just to spend what time he had left with us.'

Today she believes anyone who wants to choose the controversial surgeon should be allowed to.

'I think it should always be up to the individual person and that the decision should ultimately always be theirs.'

Ms Lopresti said she isn't 'hurt or angry' that her father didn't have the energy to pursue Dr Teo's services.

A relieved Ms Lopresti several days after Dr Teo performed brain surgery on her in a Madrid hospital

A relieved Ms Lopresti several days after Dr Teo performed brain surgery on her in a Madrid hospital

A five year old Monica Lopresti is pictured with her dad Andrew 11 tyears before he was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour

Monica Lopresti, then 14, is pictured with her dad Andrew three years before he died

Andrew Lopresti (pictured above with Monica) died in 2014, two months short of his 46th birthday, after being diagnosed with a glioblastoma, a fast-growing and aggressive type of brain cancer, only 10 months earlier

Ms Lopresti believes no matter how risky Dr Teo's methods are perceived to be, people with brain tumours should have the right to choose whether or not to have surgery with him

Ms Lopresti believes no matter how risky Dr Teo's methods are perceived to be, people with brain tumours should have the right to choose whether or not to have surgery with him

Monica was told a tumour blocking the flow of brain fluid in her brain (the scan at right) could give her brain damage or kill her. By the time she was told by seven neurosurgeons nothing could be done she was already losing her sight

Monica was told a tumour blocking the flow of brain fluid in her brain (the scan at right) could give her brain damage or kill her. By the time she was told by seven neurosurgeons nothing could be done she was already losing her sight

'It was really hard seeing my dad fight this horrible disease and in the end my only wish was for him to be out of pain.

'I miss him, and he will always be a part of my life, but I couldn't be more supportive of the decision that he made, because it is what he wanted, and I will always respect that and will always be proud of how courageous he was during his ten months of battling this disease.'

Dr Teo is set to appear before the HCCC hearing again this month.

'The Dr Teo me and my family know is humble, down-to-earth, empathetic, and sweet - a man who listened far more than most doctors I've come across.

'When I met Dr Charlie Teo, we walked into his room,

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