Latest news with #SarahBennett
RNZ News
5 days ago
- Health
- RNZ News
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 .
Daily Record
19-05-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Urgent appeal launched to find more foster carers in Dumfries and Galloway
The Fostering Network estimates at least 400 new foster carers are needed across Scotland. An urgent appeal has been launched to find more foster carers in Dumfries and Galloway. The Fostering Network estimates at least 400 new foster carers are needed across Scotland. And with Foster Care Fortnight running until May 26, people in Dumfries and Galloway are being asked to consider if they could provide a safe, supportive foster home for a child or young person. Ciar of the region's social work services committee, Councillor Pauline Drysdale, said: 'Fostering is a hugely important part of helping local children find comfort and security in the ordinary moments, close to home. With a full enrolment and training programme in place through our fostering and adoption team, anyone over the age of 21 with the free space to accommodate a foster child can come forward and make a real difference to the life of a local young person looking for a safe place to stay. 'Dumfries and Galloway is a beautiful place to grow up, and finding local people of all backgrounds who can open their homes to children from the region who are in need of a place to stay means a world of difference to that child; it's the difference between possibly having to relocate to an unfamiliar area, and being able to stay close to the people, places and spaces they know and cherish.' Sarah Bennett, who has been a foster carer for 14 years, added: 'People often speak about how foster caring changes children's lives, but he's changed our lives completely. Every child needs a safe, loving environment, and somebody in their corner to fight for them, advocate for them, and think they're the best thing since sliced bread. If you can do that by becoming a foster carer, the rewards can be huge. It's an amazing experience, there are lows as well as highs, of course, but my family and I have learned so much about ourselves as people. It's been so positive for us.' THe Scottish Government has launched a new campaign to support the recruitment of more foster carers and raise awareness of the benefits of fostering. First Minister John Swinney said: 'Foster carers play a vital role supporting and providing safe and loving foster homes to children and young people. They are key to our ambition of delivering The Promise by 2030. 'Across Scotland, foster carers provide stability, care and connection to support children and young people to thrive. 'Our campaign importantly focuses on how the everyday 'ordinary' can be extraordinary for a child in foster care. Fostering can be transformational for a child or young person and by stepping forward, foster carers offer not just a home, but the relationships and support that help shape brighter futures.' Assistant director for Scotland at The Fostering Network, Anne Currie, added: 'We welcome the launch of the Scottish Government's national campaign to recruit foster carers, and hope this leads to more people stepping forward Dumfries and Galloway to become foster carers in Scotland, and raises awareness of the vital role fostering plays. 'The need has never been more urgent – as over 350 foster carers leave each year, it's critical that we take action now.' For more information on how to become a foster carer, visit The Scottish Government website or ring the Fosterline service on 0141 204 1400.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Maple season continuing at Asbury Woods with annual mape festival
(WJET/WFXP)– Maple season in northwest Pennsylvania is underway and Asbury Woods is joining in on the sweet festivities with their annual Maple Festival. Asbury Woods announced Tuesday morning that Maple Festival will make its return on Saturday, April 5 and Sunday, April 6 filled with tours, demonstrations, family fun and maple products of all kinds. NWPA's Maple Taste and Tour makes its sweet return Each year hundreds of people make their way to the Asbury Woods Nature Center to enjoy maple tours, different kinds of interactive stations and the famous sugar shack where festivalgoers can get an up-close view of how pure maple syrup is made. Each year Asbury Woods taps their sugar maple trees, which are only found in this region of the world, then collects and boils sap into pure maple syrup. Crumbl Cookies set to arrive with Erie location this year 'Our Maple Festival gives the public an opportunity to see the maple syrup process first-hand. By running our sugar shack when the sap is flowing, people get to see and smell the magic of maple. We've included many interactive stations located inside our Nature Center so people can visit the stations they want at their own pace, along with lectures, and kids' activities,' said Sarah Bennett, interim executive director of Asbury Woods. Festivities kick off on both days at 10 a.m. and wrap up at 3 p.m. with tickets costing $6 per person with kids under the age of 3 free. More details on the event are available on the Asbury Woods Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
