Diabetes ran through Biddy Tai-Ahmu Tounumaivao’s family for generations.
The Samoan woman from Pata, Falelatai, and Pesega, helped nurse her grandmother until the day she passed away from the disease. Her own mother is also living with diabetes.
When Biddy was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes three years ago, she said she knew she had to make a change for herself and her children.
Unable to afford weight loss surgery in New Zealand, Biddy travelled to Turkey in February 2023, where she underwent gastric sleeve surgery at Galya Health.
Three months after the surgery, Biddy said her type 2 diabetes was confirmed to be in remission. She also said she has now lost 78 kilograms.
“I wanted to make a change for me and my children,” Biddy said.
“I couldn’t afford to have it done in New Zealand, so I opted for Turkey. Three months later, I was diabetic-free.”
What began as a deeply personal health decision has now grown into a wider support journey for others.
Biddy created a Facebook page called I Left My Stomach in Turkey to share her experience openly. The page now has around 8,000 followers, with many Samoan, Pacific and Polynesian people following her journey and seeking information about weight loss surgery overseas.
According to Biddy, many people have since travelled the same path to the same hospital, with some reporting significant weight loss and improved health outcomes.
Over time, Biddy said she noticed that many people were nervous about travelling overseas for surgery alone. That fear was familiar to her, so she began accompanying people to Turkey and later established Biddy Tours to help reduce the anxiety around making such a life-changing decision.
For Biddy, the journey is not only about weight loss. She said it is about breaking a cycle of illness, reclaiming health, and helping others feel supported enough to take their first step.
Her story is now resonating across the Polynesian community, where health challenges such as diabetes and obesity continue to affect many families.
Biddy said access to more affordable care, combined with culturally connected support, can make a major difference for people who feel they have limited options.
Looking ahead, she plans to continue expanding her support services and raising awareness within Pacific communities about weight loss surgery options overseas.
Biddy said giving back to her Samoan community is important to her, and she wants to make sure her people are well looked after throughout the journey.
Website: www.biddytours.co.nz
Facebook: I Left My Stomach in Turkey – Gastric Sleeve Journey
