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Samoan women seek life-changing weight loss surgery in Turkey

By Khalia Strong , PMN Lemau Timu (left) and Sarah Bennett decided to pursue weight loss surgery options abroad. Photo: PMN / Supplied Two Samoan women chose to fly to Turkey for bariatric surgery instead of seeking local options for weight loss. Since undergoing the procedure in November 2024, Sarah Bennett has lost 40 kilograms and believes the results speak for themselves. "Everything's different. Because of the rapid weight loss, I feel a lot more confident and my body is feeling healthier," she tells PMN . Before the surgery, Bennett faced multiple health issues, including sleep apnoea, high blood pressure, and pre-diabetes, all of which have improved. "I had my GP follow-up last week, who confirmed there is no high blood pressure. I'm no longer on my CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine, I don't see my cardiologist anymore, and those things have resolved themselves." Bennett, who lives in Queensland, looked into weight-loss surgery in Australia but was quoted over $22,000 for a same-day operation. "I just couldn't fathom spending that amount of money for one day, not even overnight, when I could pay half the price, go overseas with my husband and our baby at the time, and get a little holiday out of it." Bariatric surgery options include a gastric sleeve, which removes part of the stomach to limit food intake, or gastric bypass surgery, which reroutes the digestive tract. Bennett now works as a tour manager for Arrianna's Assisted Journeys (AAJ), helping clients travel overseas for weight loss procedures. "It just really touches something in my heart, getting our Polynesians over there and seeing their health improve … I want fewer declines in health." Sarah Bennett underwent bariatric surgery in Turkey in Nov 2024. Photo: PMN / Supplied For Auckland-based Lemau Timu, the decision was personal. She has battled weight issues since childhood. "I've always struggled with my weight. Even going to school, I had to go to those special places to get my uniform done, and it was so embarrassing." The 31-year-old hopes to one day sit comfortably on an aeroplane and enjoy theme park rides during a planned trip to the Gold Coast. Most importantly, Timu wants to start a family. "My partner and I have been trying for a few years, and I said, 'I think it's my weight, honey,' and he said, 'Okay, if you really want the surgery, then go for it'." Just three weeks after her surgery, Timu has already lost 15kg and noticed improvements in her breathing and energy levels. "Before the surgery, when I was walking to my mailbox and back, I was wheezing hardout. Now, I'm not wheezy at all. I can control my breathing." She remains in contact with others who travelled with her for surgery and was impressed by the high level of medical care she received, spending three nights in the hospital followed by three nights in a hotel. "The hospitals don't even look like the hospitals here in New Zealand where they have white walls. They're really modern and feel like you're in a hotel, and the showers are nice and big." Timu also considered local options but was not keen to join the public waiting list and couldn't afford private surgery, even with the option of using her KiwiSaver funds. Lemau Timu with her surgeon (left) before surgery in July 2025. Photo: PMN / Supplied Dr Tamasin Taylor, a Pacific research fellow at the University of Auckland, points out the concerning trends in Pacific communities regarding publicly-funded weight-loss surgery. "Seventy-three per cent of Pacific patients dropped out before the surgery, despite being eligible, compared to 39 per cent of NZ Europeans. For Pacific males, the dropout rate was around 87 per cent." Taylor's research identifies several barriers for Pacific patients, including long wait times, often more than a year, and requirements for multiple group sessions and appointments. "The sessions might be around school pick-up time, they're during the day, and for our Pacific people, who are more likely to be paid by the hour and not have sick leave or annual leave, that is a barrier. "Things such as parking, not showing up for appointments because you missed a call … And for Pacific males, it can be a real struggle getting to appointments if you're the person making the money for the family." Taylor says misconceptions within Pacific communities about weight-loss surgery, along with stigma, contribute to the dropout rates. "There were stories about people who had an auntie who did it, but next minute she'd put all the weight back on; that preparing for surgery is too expensive; also that it was a selfish and vain thing to do," she says. "So people would hide the fact that they were having surgery, they'd say they were getting something else done, and they wouldn't tell their family members. "There were examples of people telling their family on the day of surgery and their family racing in to beg them not to do it because it was 'so dangerous', but it's actually safer than having a knee operation." Bariatric surgery options. Photo: Image/Diego Sabogal via Countries like Thailand and India have long been recognised as hotspots for medical tourism, particularly for cosmetic and dental surgeries. Social media influencers, such as Nicola 'Nix' Adams, have popularised Turkey as another destination for health procedures, often at less than half the cost of those in local clinics. In 2023, a BBC investigation linked seven deaths of British residents to weight-loss surgeries performed overseas, raising alarms among medical professionals. Bennett, who accompanies tour groups to Turkey every eight weeks, says it's crucial to choose a reputable company for these procedures. "A lot of research has been put into finding the right hospital, finding the right surgeons, finding the right medical team. After completing her own weight loss surgery in Turkey, Sarah Bennett now supports others to do the same. Photo: PMN / Supplied "A lot of years have been put into where we are right now, and that just goes to show with the success stories we've had." The AAJ franchise has assisted almost 200 clients from New Zealand, Australia, and the United States, with packages starting from $10,000, not including flights. Pacific Specialist Healthcare (PSH), a private hospital in Fiji, is also seeking international patients. Chief executive Parvish Kumar told RNZ they could be a viable option for New Zealanders on waiting lists. "We do have the space and scope to do more. So I thought, 'Let me just extend this also to my fellow New Zealanders', maybe at the same time we could also give them about a week or two-week holiday in Fiji." Sarah Bennett is coming up to one year after surgery. Photo: PMN / Supplied Bennett dismisses the idea that surgery is "the easy way out". "You don't undergo an invasive surgery, experience all that pain, to take the easy way out … It's a tool that a lot of us need to live a healthier life and be able to lose the weight." Timu's advice for others stuck on public waiting lists is simple: "I've been spending a lot of time looking after everyone else except myself, and it's time to be selfish… Go on that 17-hour flight. It's worth it." -This article was first published by PMN .