Mum-of-two bleeds to death after trip to Turkey for weight loss surgery

A tragic incident unfolded as a mother of two bled to death following a journey to Turkey for weight loss surgery. Janet Lynne Savage, a 54-year-old driving instructor, underwent a gastric sleeve surgery in Antalya, where she suffered a slashed artery during the procedure, leading to cardiac arrest. Despite efforts to save her, Janet passed away on August 6, 2023, at Ozel Rich Hospital’s intensive care unit.

The inquest revealed that Janet had contacted Regenesis Health Travel, a health travel firm, in July 2023 for the surgery. She travelled to Turkey within a month of booking the procedure. Janet’s goal was to lose weight after expressing concerns about gaining weight rapidly and losing access to Ozempic medication. With a BMI of 30.7, Janet fell into the obese category according to guidelines.

Upon the start of the operation, a 3-4mm defect in the aorta artery led to bleeding, which the surgical team attempted to repair before cancelling the gastric sleeve surgery due to complications. Despite efforts in the intensive care unit, Janet’s heart stopped beating, resulting in her untimely death. A post-mortem examination conducted at Glan Clwyd Hospital determined acute bleeding from the abdominal aorta as the cause of death.

Following Janet’s passing, tributes poured in, with Caernarfon Driving School expressing condolences to her family. The incident also serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with undergoing surgery abroad, urging caution and thorough research before opting for such procedures.

The NHS advises individuals to exercise caution when considering surgery abroad, emphasizing the importance of consulting with the surgeon, avoiding payments for unseen hospitals or surgeons, and allowing ample time for post-surgery rest and recovery. Heightened awareness and diligence can help prevent tragic incidents such as Janet’s from reoccurring.