Tributes have been paid to a Scottish woman who died during a gastric band operation after flying to Turkey for the procedure.
Shannon Bowe, 28, died during the operation to insert a band which reduces the size of the stomach on April 1.
A spokesman for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said they were supporting the family of a British national who died in Turkey.
Her boyfriend, Ross Stirling, wrote on Facebook: “Sleep tight my angel, love you forever and always.”
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A gastric band operation is a weight loss surgical procedure that helps people who are severely overweight or obese to lose weight by placing a silicone band around the upper part of the stomach to create a small pouch which can be adjusted to control the amount of food that can pass through the stomach.
Turkey has become a popular destination for medical tourism and weight loss surgery.
Turkey is promoted as a destination for weight loss surgery across platforms such as TikTok.
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However, undergoing surgery in a foreign country isn’t without its risks. Challenges include language barriers, struggling to communicate with medical staff and not fully understanding the risks and benefits of the surgery.
The death comes as experts raise awareness of the dangers of online pharmacies and social influencers promoting medicines.
There are often differences in medical practices and standards between countries which can lead to complications or unsatisfactory outcomes.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said: “We are supporting the family of a British national who died in Turkey and are in contact with the local authorities.”
