Urgent warning for woman after losing 14 stone in gastric sleeve surgery in Turkey
A make-up artist has revealed she is struggling with serious health problems after losing 75kg in just 13 months.
Caitlin Horrox, 24, spent £3,000 on a gastric sleeve in Turkey after struggling with her weight for years.
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However, since the surgery, she has been in and out of hospital with serious, life-changing problems.
She says: “Unfortunately, I have been ill since the operation.
“I have been vomiting every day since the surgery and have been in and out of the hospital getting fluids because I am so dehydrated.
“I will take vitamin D and calcium for the rest of my life, because I am already on the verge of brittle bone disease. I was completely healthy before, despite my obesity.”
Caitlin has struggled with her weight since she was a teenager.
She says: “I have been going to the doctor since I was 13 because of problems with my weight.
“I begged them for bariatric surgery, but my weight never improved, so I chose to go to a private clinic.”
But since the surgery, Caitlin has gone from 350 pounds to 165 pounds in just a few months and is now suffering from it.
She says: “I actually have no pain at all, it’s mainly vomiting and nausea.
“The surgery cost me just under $3,000, including flights and support.
“The care in Istanbul at that time was excellent. The hospital was something I had never seen in my life.
“There was a Starbucks, gym, sauna and everything, but I personally think it was all for show.
“On Thursday I found out that I have a narrowing in my stomach and that I need further dilation and reversal of the gastric bypass because my surgery failed.”
A stricture is an abnormal narrowing of a body passageway, such as a tube or duct, that can make it difficult for objects to pass through the duct.
I have collapsed twice and was severely dehydrated again. I can’t get it under control.
Caitlin Horrox
Since the surgery, Caitlin has been seen regularly by doctors.
Caitlin, who is known as @caitlinhorroxx on TikTok, spoke to her followers in a video, saying, “Obviously the throwing up doesn’t stop the weight loss. I’m not underweight or anything, but it could develop into that.
“This has been going on for 14 months now and I have been to the hospital every month, last week was the last time.
“I fainted twice and became severely dehydrated again.
“I just can’t control it.
“The problem is not really with my stomach, but with my esophagus. I knew that from the beginning, because I can’t digest food, so I spit it out again.
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“My esophagus is probably too small and too narrow.”
Now she is talking to her doctors about the next stages.
She continues: “The NHS are now fantastic and have taken care of all my follow-up treatments.
“I have a great specialist.” Caitlin cautions those interested in the surgery to do research.
She says: “I just tell people to be very aware of their decisions and expect the unexpected.
“This surgery is not a quick fix. It is for life.
“There is no going back, so definitely explore all options.
“It is an absolutely amazing operation and it has saved so many lives, but I urge people to always be aware of the potential risks involved.
“I thought not waking up was my biggest fear, but that was just the beginning.”
Different Types of Weight Loss Surgery
Many overweight or obese people feel like they’ve exhausted all weight loss options and want to try something more drastic.
Weight loss surgery may be available through the NHS if they have a BMI over 40 and have a condition that may improve with weight loss, such as diabetes.
However, the availability of these procedures largely depends on where you live in the UK. People can also pay privately.
Weight loss surgery is a common and safe procedure. However, as with any surgery, there are risks, such as a blood clot, a band slipping out of place, a stomach infection, gallstones and excess skin from weight loss that in most cases are not removed by the NHS.
All of the following options reduce the space in the stomach, making a person feel fuller after eating less food. They lose weight as a result.
However, it is also necessary that they learn good eating habits and follow a healthy and balanced diet.
Gastric bypass
The stomach is split in two with a staple. The smaller part is connected to the intestines, effectively halving the space in the stomach.
The operation takes about two hours.
Gastric band
A band is tied around the top of the stomach and inflated to tighten it.
The operation takes three to four hours.
Gastric balloon
Patients swallow a deflated balloon attached to a tube.
The balloon is filled with water via the tube. This takes about 20 minutes and fills about two-thirds of the stomach space.
Sleeve gastrectomy
During surgery, approximately 80 percent of the stomach is removed, making it much smaller and shaped like a sleeve.
The operation takes between one and three hours.
