GEORGE TOWN: After four stem cell injections, acid attack survivor Tan Hui Linn is ready to come home at the end of the month and continue her studies.

The last stem cell injection was carried out in a seven-hour operation that included fat grafting from around her abdomen which was injected into the uneven parts of her face.

Jelutong MP Jeff Ooi, who coordinated her trips to Seoul's JK Plastic Surgery Centre, said Tan was responding well to the procedures.

Say cheers: Tan smiling as she has a photograph taken with her attending physician Dr Bae Joon-sung.

“The last operation was conducted today (yesterday) while Tan was half-sedated and the procedure was carried out by her attending physician Dr Bae Joon-sung,” Ooi said in an e-mail yesterday.

Tan had her first stem cell injection on Aug 2 after arriving in Seoul on June 30. The second injection was carried out on Aug 17 while doctors conducted a CO2 laser surgery along with the third stem cell injection on Aug 31.

The stem cell injections were carried out in collaboration with stem cell company Pharmicell.

Ooi said doctors are scheduled to check on Tan's progress again on Sept 22. As her progress has been good, she would likely be flying home before her visa ends on Sept 28, he added.

Tan's face, body and limbs were severely scarred after her father splashed acid on her and her mother while they were sleeping at their home on Oct 24, 2009.

Her mother died after the attack.

Tan had first gone to Seoul for the first round of treatment in December last year.

Her next trip, the third one, is scheduled for the middle of next year where doctors will carry out corrective surgeries on her nose, especially her nostrils that had shrunk.

The third treatment is estimated to take about two months.

As for her right eye which is blind, Ooi said current technology could not restore her eyesight and doctors would only decide on the next course of action after her third round of treatment.

Ooi said her treatment and expenses in Seoul was estimated to cost over RM1mil.

“JK has agreed to waive all operation costs and her accommodation here that has come to about US$250,000 (RM761,000) while Pharmicell has spent US$80,000 (RM243,000).

“Some good Samaritans donated RM120,000 while I have also spent some RM40,000,” he said.

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