Sarah Dyson, a 36-year-old mother-of-one from Sandbach, Cheshire, embarked on a remarkable weight loss journey, shedding an impressive 15 stone (210 lbs) over two and a half years. Through a healthier diet, she transformed her figure from a UK size 26 to a svelte 12-14. Despite her significant achievement, Sarah found herself unable to fully appreciate her new body due to extensive folds of excess skin left behind. This aesthetic concern deeply impacted her, making her feel as though she hadn't truly lost the weight and forcing her to hide in baggy clothes, tucking the skin away daily.

Determined to address the issue, Sarah sought surgical options for skin removal. She was quoted £17,000 for the procedure in the UK, a cost she found prohibitive. Seeking a more affordable alternative, she decided to travel to Istanbul, Turkey. On September 1, she underwent a comprehensive set of procedures including a tummy tuck, an arm lift, and liposuction, all for £6,500.

The operation itself was deemed successful by Sarah. However, shortly after, she noticed swelling in her leg. Despite assurances from the doctors that this was normal, she flew back home as scheduled on September 8. The following day, she experienced sudden breathlessness. Initially, she dismissed it, having a GP appointment two days later. At this appointment, her GP immediately directed her to Leighton Hospital in Crewe, where tests revealed a dire situation: a blood clot in each lung and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in her left leg.

Her condition rapidly deteriorated after hospital admission. Sarah went into cardiac arrest, requiring resuscitation twice, and was subsequently placed into an induced coma. Recalling the terrifying experience, she shared hazy memories of struggling to breathe and waking up in intensive care with a tube down her throat. Her family was even told to come say goodbye, as the blood clot had traveled to the part of her lung responsible for oxygen production, severely impairing her body’s oxygen supply.

The root cause of these life-threatening complications, Sarah discovered, was a critical oversight by the Turkish clinic: they had forgotten to administer blood thinners. She recounted her extensive research into surgery prior to booking, highlighting the irony that her vanity almost cost her life due to a preventable medical error. DVT, a clot in a deep vein often in the legs, can become fatal if it dislodges and travels to the lungs. Symptoms include pain, tenderness, swelling, warmth, and skin discoloration.

Sarah is now recovering at home, but the ordeal has left a profound impact. She is required to take blood thinners for the rest of her life and cannot drive for two months, forcing her to take time off from her nine-year career as a carer. This has led to financial worries, including concerns about paying her mortgage. Reflecting on her experience, Sarah stated, “It’s not worth it at all. I don’t regret the surgery, but I wouldn’t recommend it to a friend. I feel like I’ve lost the 15 stone, but I also feel like I’ve been hit by a bus.” The experience has completely deterred her from any future cosmetic surgery.

Sarah emphasized the increased risk of clotting after surgery, particularly with long journeys like flying. She believes the flight home exacerbated her condition, noting that flights alone pose a risk of blood clots, but combined with surgery, the danger is amplified. She expressed immense gratitude that the incident occurred after she landed, stating, “If it would have happened on the flight I wouldn’t be here now.” Sarah also detailed her dietary changes: her previous diet included no breakfast, a sandwich meal deal for lunch, sausage rolls/pasties as snacks, chippy tea for dinner, and crunchy nut cornflakes for supper, alongside Diet Coke and coffee. Her current healthier diet includes no breakfast, a ham and lettuce sandwich on a high-protein thin with fruit salad and low-fat crisps for lunch, fridge raiders or yogurt for snacks, a low-calorie ready meal for tea, and still includes Diet Coke and coffee.

Upon her admission to A&E, Sarah claims doctors asked if she’d received blood thinners before flying, and when she confirmed she hadn’t, they allegedly said “they must have forgot.” She has since attempted to contact the Turkish clinic, but they have reportedly blocked her, leaving her without recourse. Sarah now warns others, stressing the absolute necessity of blood thinners for a period after any surgery, especially when combined with a flight home.