British Woman Who Died After Weight Loss Surgery in Turkey Suffered from Three Severe Health Issues, Including Organ Failure and Bowel Perforation, Coroner Confirms

A British woman who traveled to Turkey for weight loss surgery tragically passed away after developing multiple severe complications.

Hayley Butler, a 40-year-old dog groomer from Norwich, went abroad for a gastric sleeve operation in September.

However, just weeks later, she succumbed to a series of life-threatening health issues.

Health Complications After Returning to the UK

Despite undergoing a challenging surgery, Hayley was given clearance to fly back to the UK only 48 hours after the procedure.

Upon her return, she started experiencing severe abdominal pain and vomiting, leading to her immediate admission to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital.

A CT scan revealed that she had suffered a perforation in her oesophagus, a condition that can be fatal.

She was subsequently transferred to a specialized bariatric center in Luton and Dunstable on October 11.

There, doctors discovered additional complications: a bowel perforation and an anastomotic leak.

These conditions required urgent surgery, but Hayley’s health continued to decline, and she passed away on October 24.

The Risks of Surgical Complications

The complications Hayley faced are known to carry high mortality rates.

Studies show that oesophageal perforations have a mortality rate of 30% after 30 days, rising to nearly 40% after 90 days.

Similarly, bowel perforations carry a fatality rate ranging from 30% to 50%, with a risk of escalating to 70% if sepsis develops.

Anastomotic leaks, which occur when there is a failure in the surgical connection between the stomach and intestines, can also lead to severe infections and sepsis, compounding the risks.

Remembering Hayley

Before her death, Hayley shared a final message with her friends on Facebook, telling them she would be unavailable until mid-October.

Her mother, Gillian Moore, expressed her grief following the loss of her daughter.

She shared with MailOnline that while there was much more she could say, her priority was to mourn her daughter and seek justice.

In a heartfelt tribute, Gillian described Hayley as a joyful and caring person who always put others before herself.

“She was my soul mate, my friend, and my rock,” she said, expressing the immense void left by her passing.

Hayley was the owner of Diva Dogs, a grooming business she opened in 2017.

Her friend and colleague, Jessica Carter, shared fond memories of Hayley, describing her as an inspiring professional and a vibrant personality who brought laughter to everyone around her.

Customers also paid tribute to Hayley, remembering her infectious smile and the care she showed both to their pets and to them personally.

One customer remarked, “Hayley made everything seem better. It was a privilege to have known such a lovely person.”

The Risks of Overseas Weight Loss Surgery

Hayley’s death highlights the potential dangers of seeking affordable weight loss surgery abroad.

While procedures like the gastric sleeve are often cheaper in countries like Turkey, experts caution that lower costs can come with higher risks.

Surgical complications and a lack of follow-up care can lead to devastating outcomes, as seen in Hayley’s case.

As her family and friends continue to mourn, a full inquest into her death will take place in March 2025, with more details about the circumstances of her surgery and recovery expected to emerge.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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