I flew to Turkey for surgery and now I only have 7% of my stomach left

A mother has been left in a ‘living nightmare’ after botched surgery in Turkey left her with only seven per cent of a stomach.

Donna Worthington, 36, from Birmingham, had battled with her weight for years but knew she had to make a change after experiencing breathlessness and ‘excruciating’ pain during the school run. 

But after having £2,500 surgery in Turkey, Donna was left fighting for her life, having had 93 per cent of her stomach removed. 

Now, unable to eat more than a few mouthfuls of food, the mother has been left ‘unable to spend any time’ with her kids.

The mother-of-two weighed 19st 10lbs and wore UK dress size 26 when she was at her heaviest.

Donna had tried to diet on a number of occasions but had never managed to stick to them or see any results. Eventually, she came to a point where she ‘too embarrassed’ to play with her children.

Desperate to make a change, Donna began researching her options and eventually landed on surgery in Turkey, forking out an eye-watering £2,900 for gastric sleeve surgery.

Despite her high hopes, the surgery ended up changing her life for the worst. Donna claimed the surgeon had removed 93 per cent of her stomach which had left her fighting for her life. 

The NHS website says around 80 per cent of the stomach is removed during a gastric sleeve surgery usually. 

Donna said: ‘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.

‘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, or if she felt upset – or even just bored – she would eat.

Then one day, she spotted her friend Becky, who had also previously struggled with her weight. Donna recalled seeing Becky for the first time in a while and was shocked to find she was unrecognisable.

She said: ‘I thought she looked absolutely amazing, it was like she was a different person. 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. However, her husband, Adrian, 49, was ‘horrified’ at the decision and warned against it. 

Donna’s other family members were also against the decision.  She said: ‘They kept saying to me, “what if something happens to you? Think of the kids.”‘

However, Donna decided to go through with the surgery anyway, convinced that she was doing it for her family – despite their hesitance.

‘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,’ she insisted. ‘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 per cent of her stomach would be removed to create a smaller pouch. Initially, Donna felt excited about the surgery, hoping that it would improve her life. 

But then a wave of panic came and she feared she wouldn’t see her children 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,’ she said.

‘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 jetted back home to the UK. But it was clear that recovery wasn’t on the cards, as the mother wasn’t able to keep anything down – including soup and water.

Her weight started to drop 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 was forced to have a seven-hour surgery in September 2024 to bring her stomach back down, with the addition of medical mesh to stop it from moving.

‘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,’ the mother said.

Following the ordeal, Donna is still unable to keep down any more than a few mouthfuls of baby food.

She’s also been admitted twice with sepsis and pneumonia as the condition of her body continues to deteriorate, leaving her housebound.

In her bid to become a healthier mother, she has ended up in a situation far worse than before – and deeply longs for her old life.

‘I’ve missed out on so much with my family,’ she reflected. ‘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.’

She said: ‘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.’