Regretting Gastric Sleeve: Side Effects Outweigh Weight Loss

Hannah Jade Ashton, a 34-year-old mother of two, has voiced significant regret over undergoing private gastric sleeve surgery in May 2024. The procedure, which removed 90% of her stomach for £2100, resulted in a six-stone weight loss but has left her with severe, ongoing side effects including daily nausea, vomiting, hair loss, and the lifelong need for nutrient supplements. She now considers weight loss injectables, such as Ozempic and Mounjaro, a preferable alternative.

Ashton, from Dudley, West Midlands, had a BMI of 30, requiring her to gain weight to meet the minimum threshold for surgery in Turkey, as NHS criteria were not met. She was initially convinced surgery was the answer after years of unsuccessful dieting. However, the persistent food noise, inability to tolerate many foods, and the impact on her social life have led to profound disappointment, especially as friends achieve similar weight loss with simpler injectable treatments.

The rise of weight loss injectables has seen a sharp decline in bariatric surgery globally. Ashton's experience highlights the growing 'weight loss grief' among patients who underwent irreversible surgery, only to see newer, less invasive options emerge. She now advocates for trying less permanent solutions first and thoroughly understanding the long-term consequences of gastric procedures.