A mother has been left devastated after her 20-year-old daughter tragically passed away following weight loss surgery in Turkey. Morgan Ribeiro underwent the £2,500 gastric band surgery in January 2024 after being enticed by social media advertisements for affordable procedures. However, her health deteriorated on the return flight to the UK, and the plane had to make an emergency landing in Belgrade, Serbia, where she sadly died on January 13 due to septic shock. It was discovered that her small intestine had been accidentally cut during the operation, as reported by the Mirror.
Morgan’s mother, Erin Gibson, is resolute in seeking justice for her daughter and preventing others from facing the same fate. She expressed her determination to raise awareness about the dangers of seeking surgery abroad and the impact of body image issues perpetuated by social media. Erin described the pain of losing her daughter and the ongoing struggle to come to terms with the tragedy, especially as the anniversary of Morgan’s passing approached.
Despite the surgeon denying any wrongdoing, an autopsy conducted in Belgrade revealed severe infection and damage to Morgan’s small intestine, indicating complications from the surgery in Turkey. Erin emphasised the need for accountability and stricter regulations to protect individuals considering cosmetic procedures overseas. She also highlighted the importance of addressing body image concerns and promoting self-worth, particularly among young people.
Erin has been collaborating with Labour peer Kevan Jones to advocate for better education on body image and stricter regulations surrounding cosmetic surgery. They aim to implement “Morgan’s Law” to safeguard individuals seeking cosmetic procedures and ensure informed decision-making, especially for those under 25 who may be more vulnerable to societal pressures.
The devastating loss of Morgan serves as a tragic reminder of the risks associated with seeking cheap cosmetic surgery abroad and the detrimental impact of unrealistic beauty standards perpetuated by social media. Erin’s mission to seek justice for her daughter and enact change in the industry underscores the need for greater awareness and regulation to protect individuals’ well-being and prevent similar tragedies in the future.