Woman Trying to Lose Weight Is on the Verge of Death after GP Tells Her to 'Go Home and Take Paracetamol'

A woman from Birmingham, England, survived a near-death experience following her weight loss surgery in hopes of starting a family with her partner. As it turned out, she had developed sepsis following her treatment.

Laura Battrum wished for a happy, normal life with her significant other and decided to undergo a gastric sleeve operation after trying her luck at other weight loss alternatives. To her utter dismay, losing those extra pounds nearly cost her her life.

The 38-year-old woman weighed 22 stone (308 lbs) and following her operation, she lost almost 10 pounds. However, only after a week of the treatment, she started feeling unwell and was immediately taken to the hospital with a perforated bowel.

She also paid a visit to her GP, who told her to "go home and take paracetamol," even though she had clear symptoms of sepsis. Laura was then placed in an induced coma and fought for her life for four months at Birmingham's Queen University Hospital. She added:

"At first I thought my pain must just have been me recovering from the sleeve surgery."

Laura's partner, Steve, called on the NHS helpline when her pain became unbearable. Her vital signs almost faded and the doctors even told her she had only three days to live. She now carries a colostomy bag which needs to be replaced at least 12 times daily.

Life has been a huge struggle for Laura, who only opted for the procedure so she could have kids with her partner. She gets exhausted easily and suffers from mobility issues. Regarding her decision to have surgery, she said:

"I needed to lose weight if I wanted to become a mum one day."

According to the doctors, Laura cannot conceive naturally and her only option at starting a family now is IVF, which also has very slim chances of being successful due to her condition.

While Laura and Steve always planned to have at least two kids, their dreams of starting a family have been severely compromised. She also shared that she had no clue how dangerous sepsis could be when she initially developed the condition.

She was discharged after her surgery but started feeling signs of lethargy and weakness when she got home. She even felt pain while passing urine and developed a rash on her hands.

The lawyers handling Laura's case also pointed out the negligence of the GP, who failed to run necessary tests, including taking her blood pressure reading when required.

Laura has won a payout after suing her GP but living with sepsis is a part of her life now. She wishes to raise awareness among the masses regarding the life-threatening disease, which can only develop following an infection.