Thousands of obese Britons have undergone weight loss surgery in a desperate bid to slim down – but one patient claims that recovery is far from straightforward.
Charlene Buchanan, 44, from Fife, Scotland, lost six stone after undergoing gastric sleeve surgery and a further three stone after taking Mounjaro.
She said: ‘People say getting a gastric sleeve it’s a quick fix, but it’s definitely one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.
‘For the first year I was sick every day. I can only eat tiny portions, and it’s been hard figuring out how much I can eat without being sick.’
The childminder, who was suffering with a number of weight related health conditions including diabetes and high blood pressure, flew to Turkey in October 2023 for the £2,250 op.
When she was at her heaviest, Ms Buchanan’s confidence and self-worth had plummeted, which led her to begin researching gastric sleeve surgery which involves removing a large part of the stomach so it is much smaller than it was before.
It is offered on the NHS, but only to people who meet strict criteria; they must be obese and have tried all other weight loss methods without success.
By reducing the size of the stomach, patients are not able to eat as much, and furthermore their hunger is satiated sooner.
Charlene Buchanan before she had her gastric sleeve operation (left) and in December 2025 (right)
This reduction in calories – which is substantial compared to their pre-op life – can lead to weight loss.
Ms Buchanan was shocked at how cheap the surgery is in Turkey compared to the UK – where it can cost upwards of £7,000 – and booked in with Gozde International Hospital in Izmir.
But despite her meticulous researching about the procedure, she was woefully unprepared for the recovery period.
The surgery went well, and although she woke up in agony, the pain began to subside within a few days.
However, Ms Buchanan struggled with having to learn to eat again.
She said: ‘For a week you’re on liquids, then mushy foods, and then slowly you start introducing proper foods again.’
For the first year after her surgery, Ms Buchanan said she was sick most days, as her body could only take very tiny amounts of food.
Ms Buchanan’s diet has now completely changed, and she now has a protein shake for breakfast, eggs or chicken for lunch, and rice, meat and vegetables for her dinner.
By 2023, the nother-of-three had reached 18 stone 10, and was a size 24
‘It’s changed my life. I’ve got so much more energy, I feel like I’ve got my life back,’ she said.
‘But it’s been difficult. I had to learn to eat again and change all of my eating habits.
‘I aim for high protein, but at night I’ll have a sweet treat, as I don’t want to deprive myself.’
Ms Buchanan’s decision to undergo the irreversible procedure came after decades of trying – and failing – to stick to a diet.
She also tried joining groups like WeightWatchers and Slimming World, and drastically cut out carbs. Although she would lose ‘some weight’ it would always pile back on as her bad habits returned.
Ms Buchanan began struggling with her weight aged 17, when she and her boyfriend binged on takeaways twice a day after having a fry up for breakfast.
When she was 21, Ms Buchanan gave birth to her first child, now 23, and struggled to lose the baby weight, leading her to pile on the pounds.
This continued when she had had her second and third children, now 21 and 12, and by 2023, she had reached 18 stone 10, and was a size 24.
Losing weight has allowed her to discover new hobbies, such as football
She said: ‘I would try fad diets and lose weight, then put it on again, I was just yo-yoing.
‘My health was awful, I had type 2 diabetes and very high blood pressure.
‘I was scared I would have a heart attack. I had no self-worth and no energy, I felt really deflated.’
It wasn’t until six months after her gastric sleeve that Ms Buchanan noticed a difference in her appearance – but it hasn’t always been easy getting used to her new reflection.
‘I’ve struggled mentally. Some days I think I look good, others I feel like I’m too fat,’ she said.
‘I feel guilty when I eat the wrong thing as well.’
By August 2025, Ms Buchanan had lost six stone, but she was becoming impatient by how slow her weight loss was, so obtained a prescription for Mounjaro to help her to reach her goal.
After beginning the jabs Ms Buchanan’s weight loss began to accelerate, she lost three stone and reached her goal weight of nine stone five pounds.
‘Health wise it’s been amazing, I now no longer have diabetes, and my blood pressure is normal for the first time ever,’ she said.
‘It has been the biggest journey ever, I do feel like a much happier person.’
Next year, Ms Buchanan plans to return to the same surgery in Turkey for a £5,000 mummy makeover, including a tummy tuck, breast implants and liposuction.
