My Story: A Warning About Medical Tourism
In November 2022, I travelled to Istanbul, Turkey, for Gastric Sleeve Surgery, hopeful for a new beginning. But from the moment I woke up, I knew something was dreadfully wrong. The pain was beyond anything I'd ever experienced, and I already live with chronic pain. I immediately told my rep and nurse, who dismissed my concerns, blaming the pain on gas from the laparoscopic procedure and urging me to walk it off. As a wheelchair user, I managed only a few agonizing steps with a walker, but my body, already frail from pre-existing conditions, surgery pain, and increasing weakness, couldn't endure more. I repeatedly told my nurse about the excruciating pain and my inability to drink water, but my pleas were ignored. They discharged me from the hospital and sent me to a hotel, where I continued to contact my rep via WhatsApp, desperate for help. Despite my constant messages about the pain, she kept advising me to drink more and assured me she would pray for me. She promised to inform my surgeon, but I never received a response or any medical advice. In fact, I never got to speak to my surgeon again. Back home, my GP's alarmed call came swiftly after my blood test results. 'You need to go to hospital immediately' In hospital i had a series of tests, including a CT scan, revealing the devastating truth: I had a leak at the gastro-oesophageal junction due to over stapling. My new stomach, poorly cut, had twisted on itself, creating unbearable pressure that kept a hole in my oesophagus open. The representative's neglect had dire consequences. Every drink I took seeped through that hole into my body cavity, leading to severe sepsis. Since the operation, I haven't eaten. An NJ feeding tube now delivers nutrients directly to my upper bowel for 12 hours a day. Since December 2022, I've battled sepsis four times, spending 88 harrowing days in the hospital. I've been nil by mouth for over an entire year. Remnants of sepsis cling to my spleen and diaphragm, pressing painfully against my left lung and causing a partial collapse. Every day is a torment. Morphine six times daily only dulls the pain, but it never truly fades. My husband is my constant caretaker, tirelessly tending to my every need, seven days a week. Hope re-emerged a few months ago when Professor Rishi Singhal reached out, confident he could help me eat again. After multiple trips to Birmingham, numerous tests, and a week as an inpatient, I finally have surgery scheduled for July 26, 2024. Professor Singhal will perform a full bypass and Hiatal Hernia repair, potentially allowing me to eat and drink once more. The surgery is fraught with risks, including possible abandonment and life-threatening complications, but I have unwavering faith in Professor Singhal and his team.

Update:
I know it’s been a while since my last update. Truthfully, I’ve been struggling—both physically and mentally.
Mentally:
I am currently seeking Tier 4 therapy to help me navigate everything I’m going through.
Physically:
I am still reliant on a PEG feeding tube, which allows all my medications and nutrients to be delivered directly into my stomach.
My pain levels have increased due to severe adhesions, misplaced organs, and a septic mass in my upper left abdomen. This mass causes intense pain, especially when I breathe in, though lying down provides some relief. As a result, I am now on even stronger pain medication to manage the visceral pain.
I’m also facing significant challenges with uncontrolled diabetes, which has worsened due to anatomical changes from my gastric bypass in July 2024. I experience multiple severe episodes of both hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia every day, making it difficult to function. I am currently on a waiting list to see an Endocrinologist who specializes in bariatric patients, but until then, my body remains extremely fatigued, and I struggle to fight off infections. Normally, I am bedridden, but right now, even staying awake or sitting upright for long periods is difficult.
On a positive note, I can finally tolerate some soft foods, which gives me hope for the future. However, swallowing remains extremely painful, and I frequently struggle to trigger the swallow reflex. I also experience persistent nausea and severe GERD symptoms.
Thank you for following my journey—I truly appreciate your support.
Immediately After Surgery:
Woke up in extreme pain, worse than anything I'd felt before (and I already live with chronic pain).
Told my concerns to nurses and rep, but I was dismissed—told it was just gas pain.
As a wheelchair user, I was told to “walk it off”—I managed only a few painful steps.
My complaints about not being able to drink water were ignored.
Discharged Too Soon:
Sent to a hotel while still in severe pain.
My only communication was with my rep over WhatsApp.
She kept saying “drink more water,” “I’ll pray for you,” and “I’ll speak to the surgeon.”
I never heard from the surgeon again...
Back Home: The Truth Revealed
My GP ordered emergency blood tests. When the results came in, I received a chilling call:
“You need to go to hospital—now.”
Scan Results:
A serious leak at the gastro-oesophageal junction due to over-stapling.
My new stomach had twisted, causing pressure that kept a hole in my oesophagus open.
Every sip of water I drank leaked into my abdominal cavity, causing sepsis.
Long-Term Consequences
Since December 2022, I’ve experienced:
- 4 episodes of life-threatening sepsis
- 89 days in hospital
- Total dependence on feeding tubes (NJ, now PEG)
- Over a year nil by mouth (not even liquids)
- Two years in total without eating
- Recurrent, lingering infections
- Septic mass pressing on my spleen and diaphragm
- Partial lung collapse
- Malnutrition and nutrient deficiencies
- A hospital acquired infection, resistant to antibiotics
- A blood clot
- Severe and negative impact on my diabetes (Type 3c)
- Anemia
- A blood disorder that delays clotting
- 18 months of twice daily anticoagulant injections
- Morphine six times daily
- Becoming completely reliant on my husband as my full-time caregiver
- Permanent nerve damage severly impacting on my GI tract, bladder and bowel
- Muscle atrophy
- Complete loss of ability to walk, in a wheelchair full time, but can stand to transfer
- Worsening of original conditions that I'd been told were weight related, but were not
However, I no longer have sleep apnea!
A Glimmer of Hope
In early 2024, Professor Rishi Singhal reached out. After hospital stays, tests, and consultations, he scheduled life-saving corrective surgery.
Surgery Date: July 26, 2024
Procedure: Full gastric bypass + Hiatal hernia repair
Risks:
Potential abandonment mid-surgery
Life-threatening complications
Death!
I had faith in Professor Singhal—and thankfully, he gave me a fighting chance
Recovery & Current Challenges
Mental Health:
I’m receiving Tier 4 therapy to cope with trauma and psychological toll.
Physical Health:
Still dependent on PEG feeding tube
Constant pain due to:
- Severe adhesions
- Misplaced organs
- A septic mass in the upper abdomen
- Pain worsens when I breathe; lying down helps slightly
- Increased pain medication needed
- I’m mostly bedridden and struggle with basic activities
Diabetes Complications:
Daily dangerous swings between hyper- and hypoglycemia
Result of surgical changes to my anatomy
Waiting to see a bariatric endocrinologist (12 months wait so far, as of April 2025)
Constant fatigue and lowered immunity
Small Victories:
I can now tolerate a few soft foods
Swallowing remains painful, and GERD is severe
Nausea is constant
But even these tiny improvements mean hope
Why I’m Sharing My Story
This website exists to:
Raise awareness about the dangers of botched medical tourism
Support other victims who feel alone and unheard
Expose negligent clinics and representatives
Create a safe space for survivors to share and heal
If you’ve had a similar experience, or know someone who has, please know: you are not alone.
Thank You
Thank you for taking the time to read my story.
Your support means more than you know.
Together, we can bring light to this dark industry—and help others avoid the same fate.
“I was considering going abroad for surgery, but after learning about the potential dangers from Pinky's Botched Surgery Nightmare, I decided to stay in the UK. Thank you for opening my eyes to the risks involved.”
[John Doe]
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About us
Pinky's Botched Surgery Nightmare is a personal organization dedicated to raising awareness of the risks associated with medical tourism. Our team of experts is committed to providing information, support, and resources to those affected by botched surgeries.
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