Importance Score: 52 / 100 🔵
Woman Paralysed After Weight Loss Surgery in Turkey
A British woman experienced paralysis from the neck down following weight loss surgery in Turkey. Danielle Peebles, 42, sought a gastric sleeve procedure abroad to address her weight of 28 stone and improve her fitness for her soon-to-be-born grandson. However, the medical tourism trip, intended to enhance her health, led to severe complications and a lengthy hospital stay.
Desire for Surgery and Subsequent Complications
Ms. Peebles opted for the £2,995 surgery in Turkey in 2023, frustrated with waiting times for the procedure on the NHS. Upon returning to the UK, she began to suffer from adverse health issues. Her condition deteriorated, culminating in a collapse last year. Medical professionals diagnosed her with nutritional neuropathy, a rare and serious condition resulting from severe vitamin deficiency, linked to her weight loss procedure.
Hospitalisation and Gruelling Recovery
The diagnosis necessitated an extensive five-month period of hospital treatment at Salford Royal Hospital in Greater Manchester. Despite initial fears from doctors that the paralysis might be permanent, Ms. Peebles eventually regained her ability to walk following intense rehabilitation.
Recalling her ordeal, she described it as ‘the worst time’ of her life, explaining, ‘I was paralysed from the neck down, experiencing excruciating pain in my feet, aggravated by the slightest touch.’
Understanding the Risks of Medical Tourism
Ms. Peebles later discovered the full extent of the nerve damage and the potential long-term consequences. She noted that while the surgical aspect of her gastric sleeve was successful, her body’s reaction led to unforeseen complications.
‘You aren’t informed about the risk of nutritional neuropathy from inadequate food intake,’ she stated. ‘These side effects are not highlighted because of their rarity.’
Rising Popularity of Turkish Weight Loss Clinics
- Approximately 50,000 Britons annually travel to Turkey for weight loss surgery, a significant rise from around 10,000 five years prior.
- Cost is a major factor, with procedures costing up to 70% less than in the UK.
- Gastric sleeve operations in Turkey range from £3,000 to £5,000, versus £8,000 to £12,000 in the UK.
- Reports of complications and concerns about the standard of care are increasing.
- The Private Healthcare Information Network indicated roughly 1,000 patients encountered issues after overseas treatment, leading many to seek legal counsel.
Family Support and Road to Recovery
The ordeal caused considerable anguish for Ms. Peebles’ family, including her husband Stephen, throughout her prolonged hospitalisation. ‘We were uncertain of what the future held,’ she admitted.
After five months of treatment, Ms. Peebles began to experience a return of sensation in her limbs. She expressed gratitude towards the hospital staff, acknowledging the crucial role of physiotherapists, support staff, and dieticians in her recovery.
Praise for Medical Team
She specifically commended neurologist Dr. Dan Whittam for his exceptional care and dedication. Ms. Peebles was recently reunited with the healthcare professionals who were instrumental in her transformative recovery.
Expressing her appreciation, she thanked ‘Dr. Dan’ for guiding her through the experience and facilitating her recovery, along with all the nurses involved in her care.
Dr. Whittam reflected on her progress, remarking, ‘Witnessing her walk unaided truly surpassed my expectations, and her resolve has been inspiring.’
Stephen, Danielle’s husband, commented on her recuperation: ‘Danielle has shown incredible resilience, and I am immensely proud of her. She is still in the initial phases of her recovery journey but is determined to resume a normal life as much as possible.’
Contact our news desk by emailing us at [email protected].
For similar stories, visit our news section.
MORE: I’m a former model — the whole body positivity movement was a sham
MORE: Virgin Atlantic passengers stranded at military base after woman became unwell
MORE: Fenerbahce break silence on Jose Mourinho clash with Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk