Last TikTok post of girl who died after £2,500 weight loss surgery in Turkey

22 January 2024 , 14:15

799     0

Morgan Ribeiro tragically passed away after surgery earlier this month

A young woman who sadly died after undergoing weight-loss surgery in Turkey wrote a harrowing post on TikTok before she passed away.

Morgan Ribeiro, 20, decided to book the procedure after enduring cruel taunts from bullies for several years. Together, with her boyfriend, Morgan travelled abroad so she could get a £2,500 gastric sleeve on January 5. She opted for the surgery overseas because she didn't want to be placed on "an NHS waiting list for years."

She told her social media followers about her venture and said: "My last post before weight loss surgery - see you on the other side." Three days after the surgery, she was told she was safe to go home. But she became severely ill on her return flight to Gatwick.

The aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing in Serbia after Morgan suffered from a septic shock. It has since been reported that she had developed an infection after her small intestine had been cut during the procedure. The 20-year-old had more than 10cm of her small intestine removed, but then suffered a heart attack on January 9. She was put into an induced coma but died four days later in a hospital in Belgrade.

Morgan spent £2500 on the surgery

Morgan's mother Erin Gibson is desperately trying to raise funds of up to £10,000 to repatriate her daughter's body. She told the Independent: "Growing up she was bullied a lot, she's always battled with her weight and been a bigger girl and she had a really rough time with it. I told her she was beautiful inside and out, she really was a beautiful girl. By the time I found out it was too late, she was already on the plane. I had that sinking feeling because I'd heard horror stories about Turkey. I never ever want this to happen to another daughter. I don't want her life to be in vain."

Teachers, civil servants and train drivers walk out in biggest strike in decade

Morgan passed away at the age of 20

It has been reported that the 20-year-old had a virtual consultation with the Turkish company in September last year, before she went ahead and booked the surgery. Her boyfriend, James Brewster claims that medics and translators failed to highlight any risks linked to the operation. He said she was "really hot and in a lot of pain" on the flight home. He described the plane journey and said: "The flight attendant gave her some ice and water and she was finding it hard to breathe so they took her to the front of the plane where there was more space, they tried to give her an oxygen mask. I could tell something was seriously wrong."

The 20-year-old was bullied for years over her weight

Morgan dropped ill during the plane journey home

He also paid tribute on GoFundMe and added: "My beautiful princess has passed away. She had been struggling with her weight all her life. She wanted to fit in. But in actual fact she was the most beautiful woman and she was my other half. Me, my family and her family are truly devastated. We must stay strong for her and give her the best possible send off that we can. Any donations will go straight to giving her that perfect send off. We will miss you Morgan you was the most beautiful person in the world and you was taken way too soon. Rest in peace my beautiful angel." To donate visit here.

Monica Charsley