Thaylana Cordeiro de Sousa Santos, 22, reportedly suffered complications during bariatric surgery at Calixto Midlej Filho Hospital in Itabuna, Brazil, and died on Monday 1 June
A 22-year-old plus-size model tragically passed away after undergoing her “dream” weight-loss surgery. Thaylana Cordeiro de Sousa Santos reportedly experienced complications during the bariatric procedure.
She was rushed to Calixto Midlej Filho Hospital in Itabuna, Brazil, but sadly died on Monday (1 June). The exact nature of the complications and the official cause of death have yet to be confirmed.
Local media reports suggest that Thaylana had excitedly told friends just hours before the operation that she was about to realise a long-held dream and embark on a fresh chapter in her life.
Despite becoming a beacon for body acceptance, self-esteem and inclusion, she opted to go ahead with the surgery. On Instagram, where she boasted nearly 17,000 followers, she endorsed various products and local businesses.
She also shared her fitness journey and was candid about using medication to manage type 2 diabetes, as reported by NeedToKnow.
In a post from March, the fashion model reflected on how her weight had ballooned from 50kg (7st 12lb) to 150kg (23st 8lb) in a short period due to anxiety during her teenage years.
Alongside before-and-after snaps, she pondered: “I wonder if I’ll ever get that little tummy back again?
“2020 was my worst year – the year I lost my father and the year I destroyed my body.”
Thaylana was laid to rest in Itabuna yesterday (2 Jun).
One follower penned: “Rest in peace, Thay. I’m glad I had the opportunity to hear your laugh and to know you.”
Bariatric surgery is a routine and typically safe operation.
However, potentially lethal complications can include blood clots that may migrate to the lungs, internal leaks that can result in severe infection or sepsis, serious infections, and rare instances of intestinal obstruction that can interrupt blood supply and become life-threatening.
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