Romford Mum Died Following Gastric Band Surgery In Turkey

The family of a young mum from London, who died as a result of complications following surgery overseas, are hoping a forthcoming inquest will end their search for answers.

Khelisyah Ashamu, an IT professional from Romford, was 26 when she died on 9 February 2019, a week after having bariatric surgery on 2 February at Izmir Ekol Hospital in Turkey, which was provided through an intermediary called “Get Slim In Turkey.”

Khelisyah’s family have now instructed expert international serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to support them through the inquest process.

Khelisyah’s parents have now spoken of how they hope the inquest will provide them and their young grandson with answers regarding their daughter’s death.

Expert Opinion

“The past year has proved incredibly difficult for the whole Ashamu family, as they struggle to come to terms with Khelisyah’s unexpected death.”

“Her passing has left her young son without a mother and understandably, the family have many concerns regarding the circumstances surrounding their daughter’s death. Khelisyah was a loving and caring mum and the family are hopeful the inquest will provide them with some of the answers they need and deserve.

“We are finding it increasingly common for patients to book surgical procedures through intermediaries such as Get Slim In Turkey (the company which arranged Khelisyah’s surgery) who often use Instagram and other social media platforms to advertise.

“If any issues regarding Khelisyah’s treatment come out during the course of the hearing, it’s vital that lessons are learned to ensure no other family has to suffer in the same way.” Cheryl Palmer-Hughes - Partner and Head of our International Serious Injury Desk

The Inquest comes as Irwin Mitchell continues to receive enquiries from other patients who also arranged to have cosmetic surgery in Turkey.

Khelisyah arrived in Turkey for the surgery on 31 January 2019 but never returned home. Having been informed of her deteriorating condition following the procedure, her father decided to fly out to his daughter’s bedside, arriving on 5 February before Khelisyah’s life support was turned off and she passed away on 9 February.

Khelisyah’s parents said: “Khelisyah was a wonderful mum and daughter and there is not a day that goes by that we don’t miss her. She wanted the surgery following her caesarean and we understood she would return home the following day and her dad had arranged to pick her up from the airport. The news she had passed away left all of us devastated.

“She had so much to look forward to and now her son will never know his mother and she will not get to see him grow up. The past year has been a terrible experience, with not knowing what exactly happened to our daughter making it all the more difficult to come to terms with.

“The inquest is going to be an ordeal but we just hope it can now give us some answers. If we can understand the truth of what happened, hopefully our wonderful daughter will be able to rest in peace and her son will one day understand how his mum came to be taken from him.”

A pre inquest review took place on 20 October 2020 and the inquest date is awaited.