Too many families are losing loved ones to preventable complications after bariatric surgery, including blood clots, pulmonary embolisms, severe malnutrition, neurological complications, and organ failure. Patients and families deserve better education, stronger post-operative monitoring, clearer risk communication, and consistent prevention protocols before and after surgery.

After losing Anna Juanita Mar'Shay at only 25 years old, our family realized how little awareness exists surrounding the serious complications associated with gastric sleeve and bariatric procedures. Complications can include constant hyperemesis (severe vomiting), loss of vital nutrients and minerals, dehydration, neurological decline, multiple organ shutdown, and life-threatening conditions such as Wernicke syndrome — a serious brain disorder caused by severe vitamin deficiencies that can be extremely difficult to recognize and diagnose in time.

Anna suffered from complications that affected her body and neurological function in ways many people, including families and patients, are never warned about. We believe more needs to be done to ensure patients fully understand the risks, warning signs, nutritional dangers, and necessary follow-up care that could save lives.

We are calling for:
• Increased patient education regarding blood clot risks, nutritional deficiencies, and post-surgical complications
• Stronger post-operative safety protocols and long-term monitoring
• Mandatory education about severe hyperemesis and vitamin depletion after bariatric surgery
• Greater awareness of neurological disorders such as Wernicke syndrome associated with malnutrition and bariatric complications
• Better communication between healthcare providers and patients after surgery
• More research, advocacy, and support resources for affected families
• Recognition of the lives impacted by bariatric surgery complications

Through Anna Juanita’s Butterfly Awareness Ribbon and the Anna Juanita Mar'Shay Foundation, we hope to honor Anna’s life by advocating for awareness, prevention, compassion, patient safety, and change so that other families may be spared this pain.

Forever 25. Forever loved. Forever helping others.