
A New Zealand woman who traveled to Turkey to have surgery has now had her entire stomach removed, according to Radio New Zealand. The Turkish healthcare group that operated says she didn’t follow the post-op procedure, causing the issue.
According to reports, Helen Watson traveled to Istanbul, Turkey, in Sept. 2025 as a medical tourist for a gastric sleeve. This weight-loss surgery involves removing a large portion of the stomach to create a tube that helps with obesity and related health issues. Istanbul’s Medicana Health Group conducted the procedure.