## Mum Regrets Weight Loss Surgery After Near-Fatal Complications
A young mother from Rochdale has issued a heartfelt warning about the dangers of rushing into weight loss surgery, following an ordeal which she describes as “daily agony.” Sofia Alessia, aged 28, says her quest for rapid weight loss after pregnancy led to life-altering complications and chronic pain, leaving her wishing she had waited for newer medical alternatives such as weight loss injections.
Sofia, an influencer and mother to four-year-old daughter Ayla-Valentina, had always maintained a slender physique before her first pregnancy. However, in the months following the birth of her child in 2019, Sofia saw her weight climb, eventually reaching 16 stone and a dress size 16. Admitting to bouts of binge-eating, she struggled to control her appetite, finding comfort in large packs of crisps and chocolates.
Desperate for a solution, Sofia made the decision to undergo gastric sleeve surgery in January 2022, choosing a private clinic in the UK and paying £10,000 for what she hoped would be a “quick fix.” In retrospect, she says, the choice was rushed and based on her frustration and distress at not being able to lose the weight by other means.
Gastric sleeve surgery, as outlined by NHS guidelines, involves removing approximately 80% of the stomach to create a narrow, sleeve-like structure, significantly restricting food intake. For Sofia, the experience quickly turned traumatic. Almost immediately after her surgery, she began “uncontrollably vomiting” and noticed she was bringing up thick, fleshy lumps—an experience that left her terrified and severely dehydrated. She was discharged only one day post-operation.
Within days, her condition worsened, prompting an emergency admission to Blackburn Royal Hospital, where she remained for three weeks and was fed through a tube as she could not keep any food down. The crisis did not end there: Sofia was soon transferred to Worcester Royal Hospital, where doctors discovered she had two blood clots in her lungs and had developed pneumonia. They also found her stomach had been so drastically reduced that it was causing strictures—a narrowing that blocked food from passing through.
The situation became even more complicated in March 2022, when Sofia was forced to undergo a second surgical procedure, this time a gastric bypass. During this operation, a surgical error led to her bowel being stapled into her small intestine, causing acute sepsis—which can be fatal without prompt treatment. Sofia’s recovery was protracted and plagued by pain: staples had to be removed, an infection drained, and she spent three months in hospital fighting for her life.
Despite an overall weight loss of seven stone, Sofia faces lasting health repercussions. She now lives with two internal hernias requiring further surgery, is reliant on daily painkillers, and endures persistent discomfort that significantly impacts her quality of life. Looking back, Sofia is adamant that more time should be taken to explore safer alternatives before turning to invasive treatments.
The experience has left her deeply regretful. “I wouldn’t recommend surgery to anyone unless it is truly the last resort,” she says, reflecting on the irreversible consequences and visible scars from her operations. Sofia now wishes she had waited for the approval of newer medical interventions, such as the injectable medication Mounjaro, which only became available in the UK in December 2024.
Sofia’s story shines a light on the emotional toll these complications have taken, recounting moments in hospital when she feared she may never see her daughter again. She speaks openly about the lack of information and support that contributed to her rushed decision, urging others to be cautious and well-informed.
This cautionary tale serves as a stark reminder of the importance of considering all the risks before pursuing dramatic medical solutions to weight loss. Sofia’s ordeal is not only a record of personal suffering, but also a plea for better patient education and safer access to less invasive treatments.
For those considering similar procedures, Sofia’s message is clear: thorough consultation with medical professionals and exploring non-surgical routes should always be prioritised before deciding on an operation that could carry life-changing risks.