Some transformations begin in a hospital. Karo’s began in recovery. Before bariatric sleeve surgery, before Turkey, ...
Some transformations begin in a hospital.
Karo’s began in recovery.
Before bariatric sleeve surgery, before Turkey, before the number on the scale changed — she had already made one of the hardest decisions of her life: to get sober, drug free and the behaviours learnt from 26 years of addiction reliance to cover the past trauma that has been met head on with the help and support from professional services and my peers.
She shared openly:
“Addiction showed me a person that was living in survival mode, however recovery’s showing me a better way to live, feel and express.”
Her journey was never just about weight. It was about reconnecting with herself without alcohol, without drugs, without emotional escape. It was about learning to respond instead of react. To sit with feelings. To take responsibility.
Recovery gave her clarity.
And clarity revealed something deeper — her relationship with food.
Choosing Surgery, Choosing Alignment
On October 13, 2025, Karo flew from New Zealand to Istanbul alone.
She didn’t rush into surgery. She explored the city first. She walked its streets. She took in its history. She arrived not as someone desperate for change, but as someone ready for it.
On October 16, 2025, she had bariatric sleeve surgery in Turkey.
Her starting weight was 136.6kg.
But she was clear from the beginning:
“Bariatric sleeve surgery ain’t a guaranteed fix… but I’m willing to give it a go. What do I have to lose?”
This wasn’t about chasing a quick fix.
It was about strengthening the foundation she had already built through recovery.
Not a Quick Fix — A Daily Commitment
Thirty days after surgery, she weighed 115kg.
But she was honest about the process.
“Still challenges. Still trials. Still lessons. Still tears.”
Bariatric sleeve surgery did not remove emotional patterns overnight. It exposed them.
She described it as another opportunity:
“It’s another chance to identify toxic patterns and habits in my relationship with Kai.”
Food was no longer just comfort.
It became awareness.
From eating large portions to just a few prawns and a teaspoon of spinach, she began listening to her body in a new way.
She reflected on ancestral wisdom how her tupuna lived by planting, harvesting, fishing. They did not live in abundance or excess. They thrived on simplicity and gratefulness.
“Our bodies are capable of thriving on less.” Its our thought processing that had to be reinvented to begin working together instead of against each other.
And that thought became liberating.
The Victories Beyond the Scale
Seventy-six days after surgery, the numbers spoke clearly.
From 136.6kg to 104.6kg and today at 96 kgs
40 kilograms gone.
But the scale was only part of the story.
Her non-scale victories were powerful:
• Walking daily without knee or lower back pain
• Sleeping through the night
• Lower cholesterol
• Healthy liver levels
• Iron levels normal
• Sleep apnea improving
• Dropping from size 22–24 to 16–18
• Stable energy levels
• Regular cycle
She said it best:
“Mental, spiritual & physical health is definitely the new wealth.”
The surgery supported her body.
Recovery strengthened her mind.
Self-awareness transformed her life.
Addiction to Recovery to Reinvention
Karo’s journey is not:
Addiction → Surgery → Weight Loss.
It is:
Addiction → Recovery → Self-awareness → Surgery → Alignment → Sustainable Health.
She did not replace one coping mechanism with another.
She healed first and then used surgery as a tool.
That difference matters.
Because sustainable transformation does not start in the stomach.
It starts in the mind.
From New Zealand to Turkey — And Back to Herself
She came to Turkey alone.
She had surgery.
She explored Istanbul independently.
She returned home stronger.
She continues to attend therapy.
She continues daily walks.
She continues sharing honestly.
She continues strengthening her te taha hinengaro — her mental wellbeing.
Her transformation is not just physical.
It is emotional.
Spiritual.
Intentional.
A Message for Anyone Considering Bariatric Sleeve Surgery in Turkey
Bariatric sleeve surgery is not a quick fix.
It is a powerful tool when combined with:
• Mental readiness
• Emotional honesty
• Community support
• Long-term commitment
For patients travelling from New Zealand or Australia to Turkey, Karo’s story shows something important:
It is possible to travel alone and feel empowered.
It is possible to change your body without losing yourself.
It is possible to heal deeply and live fully.
Final Words
If im looking at that one person to change my life, i need to look in the mirror 
While im on the go from hui to hui, time for a protein green smoothie 
Kia pai o koutou ra whanau 
Real change begins when you stop settling.
When you stop numbing.
When you look in the mirror and decide to show up for yourself.
One day at a time.
Want to share your journey?
How many kilos have you lost?
How many months post-op are you?
If you’d like to share your experience and connect with others at the same stage, we’d love to see you inside our community.
👉Join our AndNew Me Bariatric Support Group and share your progress with real post-op patients:
Your story might be exactly what someone else needs to hear today 🤍
You’re not alone in this journey.
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