Kiwi Woman Suffers Severe Complications After Surgery in Turkey

A New Zealand woman is facing life-altering complications following a weight-loss surgery in Turkey. This incident highlights a troubling trend of Kiwis seeking more affordable medical procedures abroad. The unnamed woman, referred to as Sheri, underwent a gastric sleeve operation in early August 2023, which has since led to a series of severe health issues.

Sheri has spent the past twelve weeks in hospital, relying on a nasal feeding tube for nutrition as her stomach continues to heal. In an interview with RNZ’s Checkpoint, she described the harrowing experience, stating, “I felt myself going into shock… it was a terrible amount of pain.” After initially feeling better upon returning home, she experienced a resurgence of pain, which prompted medical intervention.

The decision to travel to Turkey stemmed from Sheri’s struggles to access affordable bariatric surgery in New Zealand, where costs can exceed $30,000. “It’s not user-friendly for people who have to work full time,” she explained. Her surgery was postponed due to high blood pressure, leaving her in a precarious situation just days before her flight back to New Zealand. In hindsight, she admitted, “If I was thinking rationally, I would’ve put safety first and not rushed the surgery. But I’d already spent so much money.”

Shortly after boarding her flight home, Sheri began to suffer extreme pain, which led to a diagnosis of a gastric sleeve leak. This complication has resulted in her experiencing limited mobility and a dependence on family for support.

Surgeon’s Warning on Overseas Surgeries

Waikato bariatric surgeon Dr. Rowan French commented that Sheri’s case is not isolated. He reported a concerning increase in New Zealanders returning from overseas surgeries with serious complications, some of which have been life-threatening. “We’re seeing things like staple line leaks and bowel obstructions from operations done incorrectly,” Dr. French stated. “Last week, two patients came straight off the plane into the hospital. One was close to death.”

Dr. French noted that complications such as sepsis and other post-surgical infections are becoming common, often necessitating extensive treatment and multiple corrective surgeries that can cost New Zealand’s public health system over $100,000 per patient. He also mentioned instances where patients received incorrect surgeries, such as a woman who requested a gastric bypass but instead had a loop of bowel incorrectly attached to her sleeve.

Since the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) does not cover procedures performed overseas, the responsibility of treating these complications falls on New Zealand’s already stretched public healthcare system. Dr. French highlighted that many patients seeking these surgeries are low-income individuals with limited health literacy. “They’re being drawn in by cheap deals on social media, but it’s unsafe and unsustainable,” he cautioned.

Dr. French believes the growing issue could be mitigated if more bariatric surgeries were publicly funded in New Zealand. He currently performs only 50 surgeries a year, despite the high demand. “At the end of the day, it’s a failure of the system,” he said. “People are being forced to take dangerous risks overseas because they can’t get the care they need here.”

This case serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers associated with overseas medical procedures and the urgent need for systemic changes in New Zealand’s healthcare options. Sheri’s story underscores the importance of prioritizing safety and accessibility in medical care, particularly for those struggling with weight-related health issues.