Kiwi woman's $5,500 Turkey surgery leaves her needing major reconstruction
A Manawatū woman is facing a major stomach reconstruction after a weight-loss operation in Turkey left her with severe complications. Helen Watson, who travelled abroad for affordable surgery, now requires extensive medical care five months later. Her case highlights the risks of overseas news when things go wrong.
Helen Watson paid around $5,500 for a gastric sleeve operation at Istanbul's Medicana clinic last year. The cost of private surgery in New Zealand had been too high, and public waiting lists were long. But shortly after the procedure, she suffered complications that kept her in hospital for nearly two months.
Since returning home, Watson has undergone half a dozen smaller operations to address ongoing issues. She denies Medicana's claim that she only reported problems after visiting another facility abroad. The clinic insists the surgery was performed correctly and that no leaks were detected when she left.
Medicana has also threatened legal action against Watson for speaking publicly about her experience. Despite this, she remains determined to seek answers. Representatives from the clinic are due in New Zealand next month, and Watson hopes to meet them to discuss compensation.
Her upcoming reconstruction surgery marks what she hopes will be the start of her recovery. But the ordeal has left her scared and nervous about the procedure. Meanwhile, Auckland surgeon Dr. Richard Babor notes that Middlemore Hospital frequently treats patients with post-operation complications from overseas news.
Watson's case raises questions about the growing number of New Zealanders seeking cheaper medical procedures abroad. While no official records show overseas surgery complications being treated in public hospitals, specialists confirm such cases exist. Her reconstruction surgery will be fully covered by New Zealand's healthcare system—highlighting the hidden costs when overseas treatments fail.
