Turia recovering well after stomach operation

PHIL REID/ The Dominion Post

RECOVERING WELL: Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia announced last month she was going to have gastric bypass surgery.

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Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia was tonight reported to be recovering well after having her stomach stapled.

The 65-year-old MP announced last month she was going to have gastric bypass surgery after changing her mind about retiring from politics at the next election.

Mrs Turia, an overweight diabetic who suffers from asthma, said she considered the risks of the operation and decided having it was the best option.

"The reality for me is that I don't want to end up like so many of my relatives, who are on dialysis machines and getting amputations," she said.

Speaking to TV3's Campbell Live programme just before having the operation today, she said the last three months had been very tiring.

"It's definitely difficult...I firmly believe the state needs to look at this carefully, it's worth the investment to give people this operation," she said.

Mrs Turia is paying for her operation herself, and is the latest of several MPs to have it.

The most famous, or infamous, was Donna Awatere Huata who quickly lost an astonishing amount of weight but initially denied having surgery.

Mrs Turia said she had been amazed when she saw the former MP after she had lost weight.

"I thought she looked so slim and gorgeous," she said.

"I'm not sure about the slim and gorgeous thing myself. It's not really me." Mrs Turia will be away from Parliament until the end of January.

- NZPA