Morgan Ribeiro, 20, passes away following £2,500 Botched Gastric sleeve surgery in Turkey

In a heartbreaking turn of events, 20-year-old Morgan Ribeiro from south London lost her life just days after undergoing a £2,500 gastric sleeve surgery in Turkey. Morgan’s journey, marked by relentless bullying and a desire for transformation, was documented on TikTok, with her last post hauntingly foreshadowing the tragic outcome.

Morgan, accompanied by her boyfriend, opted for the weight-loss surgery on January 5, aiming to escape the long waiting times associated with the NHS. After enduring years of taunts from bullies, Morgan shared her decision with her social media followers, posting on TikTok: “My last post before weight loss surgery – see you on the other side.”

Three days post-surgery, Morgan was cleared to return home. However, her health took a devastating turn during the flight back to Gatwick. Experiencing septic shock, the aircraft made an emergency landing in Serbia. Reports indicate that Morgan had developed an infection from the cutting of her small intestine during the surgery. Despite the removal of more than 10cm of her small intestine and efforts to stabilize her, Morgan suffered a heart attack on January 9.

Placed in an induced coma, Morgan Ribeiro succumbed to the complications four days later in a hospital in Belgrade.

Morgan’s mother, Erin Gibson, is currently seeking funds—up to £10,000—to repatriate her daughter’s body. Expressing her grief, Erin spoke about Morgan’s lifelong struggle with bullying and body image, emphasizing her beauty both inside and out. In a plea for support, Erin shared, “I never ever want this to happen to another daughter. I don’t want her life to be in vain.”

Morgan’s boyfriend, James Brewster, revealed that the couple had a virtual consultation with the Turkish company in September of the previous year. He claimed that neither medics nor translators adequately highlighted the risks associated with the operation. On the return flight, Morgan experienced severe pain and difficulty breathing, prompting the emergency response.

James paid tribute to Morgan on GoFundMe, describing her as his “beautiful princess” and expressing devastation over her untimely passing. The fundraising campaign aims to give Morgan “the best possible send-off” and has garnered support from those moved by her story.

The circumstances surrounding Morgan Ribeiro’s death underscore the potential risks associated with medical procedures abroad and highlight the importance of informed decision-making in elective surgeries.