Parents win £858k payout after daughter dies

Heartbroken parents have won a £858,000 payout after their daughter died following weight loss surgery in Turkey, after a High Court judge ruled that the medical tourism agency they contracted failed to provide adequate post-operative care. The tragic case has brought renewed scrutiny to the booming trend of Britons travelling abroad for affordable cosmetic and bariatric procedures and the risks involved.

In February 2019, 26-year-old Khelisyah Ashamu, a mother-of-one from Romford, Essex, travelled to Izmir, Turkey for a gastric bypass operation she hoped would help with weight concerns and changes to her body after a Caesarean section. The surgery was arranged through a UK-based intermediary, Get Slim in Turkey, which marketed an “all-inclusive” package covering surgery, accommodation and transfers. Eight days after the procedure, her condition deteriorated sharply following a follow-up operation, and she suffered a cardiac arrest in hospital, later dying on 9 February 2019.

Legal Battle in the High Court

Khelisyah’s parents, Toyin and Oyebanji Ashamu, launched a High Court claim against Tracey Ozdemir, who traded as Get Slim in Turkey, arguing that the company was responsible not only for arranging the procedure but also for ensuring safe aftercare. During the trial, expert evidence was presented that Ms Ashamu had received “inadequate post-operative monitoring and airway care” after her second surgery — lapses the judge agreed contributed to her death.

Senior judge Mrs Justice Obi found that Get Slim acted as the organiser of a package travel contract that encompassed the medical procedure, making the company legally accountable for the “proper performance” of the surgery and associated care. With no challenge to the amount of damages claimed, the judge awarded the family a compensation payout of £858,000 in damages for loss to Khelisyah’s estate.

In delivering judgment, the judge acknowledged the profound loss suffered by the Ashamu family and expressed hope that the conclusion of the proceedings might offer “some measure of consolation” — even though nothing can truly replace their daughter.

Medical Tourism and Safety Concerns

The case underscores growing concerns over medical tourism, where patients travel abroad — often to Turkey — in search of lower-cost surgeries. While such trips can appear cost-effective compared with fees in the UK, critics warn that patients may face different safety standards, inadequate follow-up care, and limited legal protections compared with domestic treatment.

Several other Britons have died or suffered serious complications after travelling to Turkey for cosmetic or weight-loss surgeries in recent years, prompting calls for stricter guidance and better information for patients considering procedures abroad. Health authorities have urged people to research risks carefully and ensure they understand the potential consequences of reduced aftercare and regulatory protections outside the UK.

Doctors note that all surgeries carry inherent risks, whether performed at home or abroad, but emphasise the importance of comprehensive pre-operative assessment and robust post-surgery care — elements that can vary widely between providers.

A Family’s Loss and Legal Precedent

For Toyin and Oyebanji Ashamu, the legal victory represents not just financial compensation but an official acknowledgment of the failures that led to their daughter’s death. Khelisyah’s case serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers associated with seeking medical procedures abroad through third-party agencies and the importance of clear accountability when things go tragically wrong.