A mum has told how she was “struggling to breathe” after waking up from botched surgery in Turkey which her left her with only 7% of her stomach.
Donna Worthington, 36, from Birmingham, who weighed 19st 10lbs at her heaviest, wearing a UK dress size 26, said that she wanted to be healthier for her children.
And that was when she decided to fly to Turkey having splashed out £2,900 for gastric sleeve surgery but then she found herself fighting for her life after the operation.
“When I arrived home, I saw a UK surgeon immediately to tell me what was going on – and he said it was the worst procedure he had ever seen,” she said. “He explained that I only had seven per cent of my stomach left, which meant it was too small and had travelled up to my chest.
“I was in complete shock, as I didn’t even know that was possible. The whole journey has been a nightmare from start to finish. After waking up from surgery, I was struggling to breathe and had wet myself because I was in so much pain. I cried, trying to get the nurses’ attention, but they told me to keep my voice down. It was like I was in a living hell. And it’s the single biggest regret of my life.”
Donna had tried various diets before, including hiring a personal trainer, but was unable to resist indulging in Chinese takeaways and sweet treats. Whenever there was cause for celebration, if she felt upset or even just bored – she would eat.
And then she spoke to a friend who had lost weight in Turkey. “I thought she looked absolutely amazing, it was like she was a different person,” said Donna. “I marvelled at her trim figure in a pair of shorts and top. I couldn’t believe it was her. And then she told me she had been to Turkey for surgery, and as there were no complications, I was hooked on the idea.”
Donna asked for the details of the clinic and booked herself in straight away even though her husband, Adrian, 49, was “horrified” at the decision as well as other family members. She said: “They kept saying to me: ‘What if something happens to you? Think of the kids.’ But it was because I was thinking of them that I opted for the surgery, to become a better mum and enjoy life with them more.
“I became determined to be a healthier, more active person. All the problems I had been dealing with – high cholesterol, headaches and joint pain – was down to being overweight. And I had had enough.” Adrian eventually came around to the idea and supported Donna throughout her trip to Turkey.
During a consultation, it was planned that 80% of her stomach would be removed to create a smaller pouch. While she initially felt excited, then a wave of panic came over her. She said: “I worried that I might never see my kids again. I tried to put the thought to the back of my mind – how I wish now that I had listened to myself. The clinic had been described as luxurious, but it stunk of rotten eggs.
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“I had to sign loads of forms, but I couldn’t understand anything, as it was all in Turkish. I handed over the cash and then the nerves started to set in. Adrian said he would see me in two hours – as that was how long they said it would take – but I wasn’t out of theatre for four.
“I was in excruciating pain, felt bloated and I knew that something wasn’t right.” Three days after the surgery in July 2022, she returned to the UK but she was unable to hold food and drink down leading to her weight dropping drastically – with over 1st 4lbs in less than five days.
Donna was whisked to the hospital and fitted with a feeding tube, as well as hooked up to fluids, as she was severely malnourished and dehydrated. With her life on the line, and doctors unclear of the issue, she had to fork out a further £25,000 on going private.
After finding out the cause, she had to have a seven-hour surgery in September 2024 to bring her stomach back down from her chest, with the addition of medical mesh to stop it from moving. She said: “I begged for them to fix me. I spent three weeks in hospital, where it was hoped that my stomach could’ve been made bigger – but there was no luck.
“I was upset, but in all honesty, I was just thankful to be alive.” Following the ordeal, Donna is still unable to keep down any more than a few spoonfuls of baby food. She’s also been admitted twice with sepsis and pneumonia as the condition of her body continues to deteriorate, leaving the mum housebound.
Donna added: “I’ve missed out on so much with my family. I miss the days when the worst thing I had to deal with was not being able to go into the swimming pool with my kids. Now I’d gladly strip off in a bikini – regardless of my body – if I was able to. Instead, I’m unable to spend any time with my boys. They’re growing up right before my eyes and I’m not a part of any of it.
“It’s heartbreaking. Adrian doesn’t sleep anymore, as he’s constantly checking to make sure I’m breathing. My kids start banging on the door if I don’t reply right away and my family think I’m dead if I don’t answer the phone because of how badly this surgery has left me.
“If I had read a story like mine, I would never have gone through with the surgery. If you can save up, please have this done in the UK, it’s not worth the risk. And if you do go to Turkey, please do your research – don’t go by one person’s experience. I would much rather be fat and struggling, rather than spend each day wondering if it’s going to be my last.”
