A recent inquest has revealed the devastating circumstances surrounding the death of Janet Lynne Savage, a mother of two from Bangor, Gwynedd. After traveling to Turkey for a weight-loss operation, she suffered fatal complications during the procedure. This incident underscores the risks associated with health tourism, particularly for elective surgeries performed abroad.
The inquest revealed that Mrs. Savage experienced severe damage to a major artery during her gastric sleeve surgery, leading to cardiac arrest. Despite the efforts of medical teams at the Antalya hospital, she succumbed to her injuries on August 6, 2023.
In early July 2023, Mrs. Savage reached out to Regenesis Health Travel, a firm specializing in health tourism. Within just 24 hours, she had arranged for surgery scheduled for the following month. She expressed concerns about rapidly gaining weight after losing access to the weight-loss drug Ozempic, stating her desire to shed approximately 19 kg (or three stone).
According to information from the NHS, her body mass index (BMI) was measured at 30.7, placing her at the very beginning of the obese category, which ranges from 30 to 30.9.
During the surgery, complications arose shortly after it began. Alison Ergun, a client service officer for Regenesis, reported that Mrs. Savage stopped breathing within minutes of the procedure’s start.
The senior coroner for North West Wales, Kate Robertson, detailed that surgical notes indicated a 3-4 mm “defect” in Mrs. Savage’s aorta when the operation commenced. Although surgical teams attempted to repair the artery and ultimately canceled the gastric sleeve operation due to these complications, they were unable to restore a pulse in intensive care.
A post-mortem examination performed at Glan Clwyd Hospital confirmed that Mrs. Savage died from acute bleeding related to the repaired abdominal aorta. The coroner extended condolences to Mrs. Savage’s family during this difficult time.
As discussions about health tourism continue in light of such incidents, many are left questioning safety protocols and regulatory measures for overseas medical procedures. This tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers associated with seeking affordable healthcare options abroad and calls for greater scrutiny and support for individuals considering such pathways.
Tragic Outcome of Weight-Loss Surgery in Turkey A recent inquest has revealed the heartbreaking details surrounding the death of Janet Lynne Savage, a mother of two from Bangor, Gwynedd, who died following a weight-loss surgery in Turkey.
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