A woman who weighed 16 stone before travelling to Turkey for gastric bypass surgery says she now "can't stop losing weight" - and is worried about her health. Tracey Hutchinson, 52, went under the knife in January 2022 and was initially happy with the results.
But she says she now can't stop shedding the pounds - and is dangerously underweight. Tracey currently tips the scales at just six-and-a-half stone. She is speaking out as she is running out of ideas and says she needs help.
Tracey, a mum-of-two, said: "I lost so much weight in the beginning. I couldn't believe it. But after reaching my perfect size I couldn't stop. And I've now gone from one extreme to the other."
Tracey had originally planned to have a gastric bypass in the UK. But, after spending three years on the waiting list, it was decided she would only qualify for a gastric balloon on the NHS.
She had that procedure but it didn't help her lose weight as she had hoped, she claims. Frustrated, Tracey then decided to have a gastric bypass abroad and travelled to Turkey early last year.
She says she was happy with the surgery, the aftercare she received - and the price. Tracey, who owns her own business, said: "I'd been waiting for three years for the NHS to approve gastric bypass surgery.
"My weight meant dangerous pressure was building up around my brain, but all they offered me was this gastric balloon. I gave it a go and lost two stone. But as soon as the balloon was taken out, I put all the weight back on again. So, I went to Turkey instead.
"The surgery went smoothly and I was put up in a nice hotel afterwards. When I did get back, I immediately started seeing results.
"And I got married in June last year at a dream weight of 10.5 stone - I was so happy."
But, after her marriage, Tracey started to get concerned as she continued to lose weight. And, since her wedding night, she's gradually been getting thinner and thinner - now describing herself as all "skin and bones". Her surgeon in Turkey suggested she takes Imodium to stop her going to the toilet so she can gain weight, she claims.
But Tracey says so far it's made little difference - and she is "really scared". She said: "I'm at the point now where I'm not sure how much more weight I can physically lose. I'm hoping someone can help me who reads my story, as I'm out of ideas on how to stop this. It's terrifying."
It's understood a detailed assessment of Tracey's case was made by the NHS and it was decided gastric bypass surgery was not in her best interests. She was offered an alternative procedure, which she accepted.
Dr Neil Jennings, Clinical Director of Surgery at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Any form of weight loss surgery is a major operation. It has to be very carefully considered by a team of health professionals in line with national guidance.
"Patients have to go through a series of checks to make sure that surgery is the right option for them. This includes a full health check, counselling and support and commitment to lose weight before any procedure can take place.
“For some people surgery will not be in their best interests. This is usually the case where the risks of the operation outweigh the potential benefits. Many people will be offered alternative treatments, but this may not always be effective.
"We have seen a rise in the number of patients who have had complications from surgery abroad. We would strongly recommend that anyone considering travelling overseas for private care researches their options carefully and understands the risks involved.”
