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The family of a woman who died following botched weight-loss surgery after her children were teased about her size at school has won compensation from the NHS.

Tracey Korkmaz, 41, weighed 23st when she underwent a gastric sleeve operation at University College Hospital to reduce the size of her stomach. She had aimed to lose 5st.

During the keyhole procedure, doctors failed to notice her stomach was punctured and she died 10 days later. She left three children, the youngest aged two, and husband Yusuf.

Her mother June Sillitoe said the teasing was a “main reason” her daughter decided on surgery “as a last resort”. She added: “It’s child cruelty. They don’t know they’re being cruel saying, ‘Your mum’s fat.’ They don’t realise the effects.” She warned other women to consider the dangers of weight-loss surgery.

“Too many people see this as a quick fix, but a neighbour of mine also had it and died. The problem ought to be dealt in terms of why people are overweight.” She told how Mrs Korkmaz had been badly affected by the death of her father when she was a teenager, and began comfort eating: “If she had had counselling maybe it would have helped.”

Mrs Korkmaz, a receptionist from Fulham, had the surgery in 2008. After two further operations doctors repaired the puncture but she continued to deteriorate and died on February 1. A coroner recorded a verdict of “accidental adverse healthcare”.

Ms Sillitoe described the payout from University College London Hospitals NHS foundation trust, as “a very large sum”. She added that “it won’t bring Tracey back” but would provide a financial future for Riah, now 16, Enes, 13, and Zeren, seven.

A spokesman for the trust told the Sunday Mirror: “We would like to express our deepest sympathy and condolences to the family and friends of Mrs Korkmaz.”