New Zealander loses 120 kg through surgery

Jasmin Sciascia

Sciascia named honorary ambassador for medical tourism

A morbidly obese New Zealander who had received bariatric surgery in Korea a year and a half ago came back to Seoul half her original size and looking ahead to lose more weight.

Jasmin Sciascia, 27, who had been under spotlight since last year after her successful weight-loss surgery in Korea, came back to Seoul on Oct. 16 to have “excess” skin that remained from the first operation removed at Soonchunhyang University Hospital. Her second surgery ended successfully and she was discharged on Oct. 25.

Before her surgery on Oct. 23, she attended the 2012 Korea International Medical Tourism Convention on Oct. 18 hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. She was appointed that day as an honorary ambassador to promote Korea’s medical tourism.

“I lost 120 kilograms from the surgery I received in Korea a year-and-a-half ago. I used to be 220 kilograms. Now I weigh 99,” said Sciascia during an interview with The Korea Times.

“I came back to Seoul for a second operation which will take off 20 more kilograms. This surgery is to get rid of all the excess skin from the weight loss, skin that should be cut off.”

She lost her weight gradually through exercise after having 80 percent of her stomach removed to prevent her from eating too much.

“Over the last year, I was only able to eat in very small portions and do a lot of exercise,” she said.

Sciascia’s story had gained spotlight in her own country last year as the surgery, which was widely opposed by the local doctors in New Zealand, turned out to be successful. Doctors there had raised concerns that she could die in the airplane due to various complications. She came nevertheless to Korea risking the danger.

“What made me decide to come to Korea was the thought that I could either take a chance and come over here and have a better life or I could do nothing and die. The doctors in my country said I would live only for four years without having the surgery because I had lots of health problems from being so overweight,” she said.

“I suffered from diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and various infections. Due to sleep apnea, I had to wear a mask that pumps in air when I went to bed. It’s a horrible condition to have.”

Sciascia had been denied in her own country to receive the bariatric surgery as the district health board refused to fund the surgery. She could not imagine paying for the surgery which cost $35,000. Local doctors also refused the operation saying she was too heavy to receive one. The maximum weight they could cover was 180 kilograms. Sciascia weighed 220.

It was the Korean government, however, that came to her rescue. The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) funded her trip and paid for all her medical expenses.

“I was trying to get surgery in my country. I was in the media and Korea picked up on it. KTO got in contact with me and offered surgery in return for promoting their medical tourism,” she said.

“In the beginning I said no because my country told me it would be dangerous to fly. I did some research about Korea and their medical tourism and I trusted them so I decided to come.”

She praised Korea’s medical technology after having gone through the experience.

“Medical technology in my country is nowhere near as advanced as Korea. Korea has better and more advanced technology. The recovery time is also so much shorter,” said Sciascia.

“The service in Korean hospitals is amazing. They treat you like royalty. Our hospitals make us feel like they can’t be bothered with us. The service, technology, and facilities were all topnotch in Korea. They also had an English-speaking doctor who took care of me.”

Now an honorary ambassador of Korea’s medical tourism, Sciascia plans to go home and promote Korean medical service.

“I will definitely promote the surgery back in my country. I don’t think anyone else in my country succeeded in losing so much weight as I did. I’m the first case to lose more than 100 kilograms,” said Sciascia.

“I’ve always been big since I was little. My father’s side of the family is all overweight, although they didn’t weigh half as much as what I do. The surgery for me was a tool to successfully lose weight.”

Now she can return to work which she had been let off from due to her obesity.

“I worked as a health nurse. I was taken off from work at the age of 25. I wasn’t allowed to work because I had too many conditions. Now I can go back to work,” said Sciascia, smiling.

“I want to thank KTO for everything that they’ve done for me and Soonchunhyang University Hospital. I love this country and can’t wait to come back again.” <The Korea Times/Yun Suh-young>