I Almost Died?! | Emergency Surgery In The Maldives | Story Time 

Your diet and physical fitness (before all this happened) probably helped a ton in your recovery. You have inspired me to take better care of myself.

Lol I'm a doctor in the UK and I was yelling at the screen for 2 minutes CT SCAN CT SCAN And finally they gave you one! On a serious note I'm so sorry you had to go through this. You're amazing! It must have been absolute hell on earth! xxx

You should be so proud of yourself!! You have been so brave, just insane! And about the scar, be proud of it! I have scars all over my legs because I was very very ill when I was small. My grandma always told me they are my gold medals for fighting for my life. You're one badass woman Zanna 💪🏼❤️

I am sooo bloody happy you are okay 😭😭💚💚💚💚💚💚💚

Hey. Silent viewer here but had to say hi. So pleased you are on the mend, how bloody scary. I have crohns so have had loads of abdo surgery and rock a scar similar to yours. When you are starting to gently exercise again, I will be totally following for how you start building your core strength as I still have a way to go. Take your time and that corset is your friend ❤️ Take care X

It seriously made me cry for you. You are so brave Zanna! Being once very in hospital and alone in a foreign country I know the feeling, although I haven't been that close to death. I'm happy for you and it's all good now and you are on way to recovery. Fingers crossed for you!

Long time follower here... I still can’t believe you went through that Zanna, and so far from home too. So grateful you’re still here and on the mend. Who cares about your future content... we’ll all be here when you’re recovered! X

You’re an amazing human, Zanna!! As we go on with our daily lives, we take the most important things for granted like walking/sitting etc until something like this happens so thank you for sharing your story. Take this recovery time as some time off hustling and we are all here for you during your recovery process!!

I cannot believe what you've been through Zanna. In such a short space of time too. We truly do take our health for granted, small things like being able to go to the toilet without thinking about it! Our bodies are magical. So, so grateful that you're alive and well and have a healthy, functioning colon! 🙌🏼 I've seen you mention on Instagram seeking medical/nutrition advice and you're such a bright light of positivity (so please ignore this if it doesn't apply) - but don't be afraid to seek mental health support too. Trauma is a shitty thing that can come back to bite us in the bum if we don't process it ❤️

Be aware of post traumatic stress disorder and if you think you have it go to the doctor straight away. I had emergency heart surgery whilst travelling New Zealand and I didn't deal with it at the time and 8 years later went to a councillor. And when you leave things for 8 years it gets worse

How you didn't breakdown whilst filming this video shows how strong and positive you are. What you endured was horrific and I wish you a smooth recovery and look forward to the videos x

I can’t even begin to imagine how scary that must have been! I hope you have a smooth recovery. Go easy on yourself and allow yourself to heal ❤️

I love when you’re being sarcastic your accent gets really heavy (like you obviously put it on) but it’s hilarious, love it!

You poor thing! I had my hand covering my mouth in anxiousness throughout the whole time you were talking! I'm glad you're here with us and survived! Yes, you are very brave! Try to enjoy the downtime as much as you can and rest! ❤

Scars are just signs of strength, they are your battle wounds. We all have them in one form or another. You are a warrior x

Oh my gosh I'm so sorry you went through that - it sounds terrifying and I'm so glad you're ok! Wishing you all the best with your recovery xx

Wishing you a speedy recovery Zanna, you're such an inspiration 💕

Watched your friends video about this story which was so emotional and she told it really well! Excited to hear your version of the story! Xx

This was in my recommendations & I have no idea why but I'm not mad at it. You are HILARIOUS! Your adorable accent makes things so much funnier. Thanks for the laughs! Glad you're ok :)

Can’t believe it took that long for you to get diagnosed!! You were so lucky - wish you the best in your recovery 💛

You’re so so strong Zanna, can’t even imagine how scary and overwhelmed you would’ve been in the pre-op room, particularly in s foreign place. Sending so so much love, you’re taking such a positive approach, you’ve got this!!! ❤️❤️❤️

Oh you trooper. Look after yourself and sending you positive thoughts.

Keep your head up, you'll be surprised how quick the recovery milestones happen. I had two emergency surgeries within 24 hours at the end of last year, one was to remove my appendix as that was what they thought was causing my abdominal pain but they discovered that one of my Fallopian tubes was twisted and died so I was back in surgery the next night to have it removed. Watching your video has made me feel relaxed about how mine all started because just like you I thought I was constipated.

I'm so sorry you had to go through this, but I'm so happy you shared your story because volvuluses (volvuli?) are less common! My grandpa got a gastric volvulus (twisting where the stomach meets the small intestine) & part of his stomach did die but they didn't catch it until after surgery. Ten months of staying in hospitals later & he passed away. So interesting to hear stories from people w successful outcomes! All the best to you during & after recovery

I'm really glad you're doing well, girl! Rooting for you! Edit: Also, really appreciate the effort you've put into coming back after surgery and sitting in front of a camera for 30 minutes even though you've been through so much!!!

I'm so glad you are alright now! I can't even imagine the pain you went through. Hopefully you'll be completely back to your old healthy self soon xx

Wow! How frightening for you! I’m so glad, you are on the mend. Had a similar scary time with my son. He made a full recovery, like you and lived to tell the horrific tale. Best wishes and sending love to you. Take care, lovely lady ❤️

You are so positive and strong! You can do this! Sending lots of positive energy and prayers to you! Hope you recover fully soon!

Aww Zanna what an experience!! what a nightmare getting ill, and needing surgery, in another country!!I can't imagine being in pain for that long! Horrendous!! So glad your on the other side of it now. Looking forward to seeing you recover! Sending Hugs from Sydney (not too tight though, don't want to squeeze your tummy) xxxxxx

Oh Zanna sending you lots of love and positive vibes xxxx

Not even on the same level as your story in regards to pain especially, but when my appendix ruptured and I was rushed into emergency surgery I didn’t freak out when they told me either, I was just like “thank god now the pain will stop”. You’re such a trooper, seeing how positive you’ve been has been so inspiring. Wishing you a happy and healthy recovery x

So brave, beautiful Zanna ❤ When faced with these situations, we find we have NO choice but to go through the situation....relying on others to help us. Proof that today....life will unfold exactly as it's going to....and non of us can truly know. So grateful your ok sweetie, a 'boring' day may just be a blessing!...when compared with the opposite xxxx

Zanna I actually cried when watching this, I'm honestly so happy you are ok. Sending you all the love in the world xxx

Thanks for telling your story. You‘re so brave! I wish you all the best and a speedy recovery! I‘m suffering from IBS and several food allergies. I‘ve got stomach pain everyday and my poop is very rarely normal. I know how hard this topic is to discuss. It‘s still a taboo and I don‘t understand why, because we all poop right? So thanks for being so open about it. Lots of love💕

My word Zanna! What a scary experience. Thank you for sharing, I’ve been following you for years and on insta through all of this so to hear everything in full from your perspective is really enlightening. You’re doing so well and teaching all of us ‘healthy’ individuals a sharp reminder that health is delicate and we need to appreciate what we can do. Please take this time to rest and recover - it seems you are doing and you’re taking a very responsible and positive stance on the situation. Best of luck to you girl, you’ve got this x

Thank you for sharing your story Zanna and for being so real. You’re truly an inspiration! Your positive attitude towards this whole experience is amazing and something many people can learn from. I wish you a speedy recovery! 💕

What a powerful story Zanna. I admire your honesty, bravery, and open appreciation of the human being in their most vulnerable sense. Everyone goes through low points, but being able to address them so fully has truly humbled me. Thank you for sharing this experience. Your beauty shines now more than ever before, and I know you will move forward with greater success and strength! Rest up and stay smiling!

Hearing your symptoms, my first thought was bowel obstruction! I had my whole large bowel removed 24 years ago and know all about that scar. I’ve had multiple obstructions since 2003 and the pain is excruciating. You’re doing well all things considered 😊

Such an inspiration Zanna, you are one strong human!!! I hope your recovery goes smoothly and you are back to your usual strong and fit self soon!xx

Im a nurse in Canada and I just came across your channel. Im so glad that everything went well with the surgery. You could be slightly anemic from the blood loss during surgery which makes you feel weak and light headed. You have such a funny, kind personality. Sending you well wishes.

I had cecal volvulus 2 years ago, it is awesome to find someone who has been through this!! Your story echoes mine - it is an insane experience. I’m so glad you were ok - I was home in the US when it happened but had just gotten back from St Lucia 1 week before. So scary to have this happen while traveling far from home!

So glad to see you are looking and sounding so positive Zanna. Don't underestimate just how traumatic what you have been through really is. Be kind to yourself. The way you are approaching recovery is so typical of your general attitude to life, you will get through this period and come out no doubt even stronger for it. Supporting you all the way - and so so so happy to see your cheery happy face again!

You’re a soldier 🙌🏽!! Sending you loads of health and love ❤️❤️

Hi Zanna! Your positivity is infectious! Be kind and gentle with yourself, and celebrate the small wins! We will be with you through your recovery!

such a strong woman. I am so happy you are ok! I will follow you in your recovery journey, For the psat 6 years I´ve been suffering from back issues (disc problems) and I have always been a person who LOVES training so when I am in pain or need to rest in bed for DAYS it gets so had psycologically so I can totally understand how you feel about ricovery but have in mind that it is a RECOVERY which means one doy you will be in perfect shape with a normal life. Unfortunallu in my case I have to adapt my lifestyle to this cronic problem for the rest of my life. So keep on being strong and keep in mind that 3 months is nothing because you are gonna be perfect for the rest of your life. hugs and kisses from Italy

So glad you are better! But shocking how long it took them to diagnose you. I work in veterinary and gastric torsion is common in dogs. As soon as you explained your symptoms I new it was a twisted gut. Hope the rest of your recovery goes well❤

I can’t imagine how traumatic this must have been Zanna I’m so glad you’re ok and recovering now. This video had me laughing and crying within seconds of each other. So scary

Good luck and hugs for a smooth recovery. Il be following your journey all the way. Your a trooper girl so glad your getting there xx

So glad you're on the mend Zanna. You're a serious inspiration and your positivity lights up the room everywhere - even just through a RU-vid or Instagram video. I think you, Hannah Witton and Melanie Murphy can all start an official RU-vid Poo Gang now.

Zanna I just want to say what a brave lady you are. You are so inspirational and I pray to God that you have a healthy recovery. Thank you for telling us this and sharing this. It brought tears to my eyes xxxxxx

Wow I was having a shitty day and balled my eyes out over dumb things. I came across this video and you made me forget all about it. Thank God you’re alive. Wishing you a speedy recovery!

You are so brave. Good luck with your recovery. Sending you positive vibes and hugs xxx

This video touched me so much. You are an incredible woman who has gone through absolute hell but has been so brave. Sending so much love to you angel and all the best for your recovery xxxx

It was major what you've been through and I'm so glad you're recovery now. I've been after your surgery situation since it's happened and I really want to tell you that you're so brave and strong. Thank you for sharing your story in public it's such an inspiration!

You are an incredible human and so brave for what you went through! Wishing you a speedy, healthy and safe recovery 😊

Get well soon. I hope your recovery is going according to your wishes..

Best wishes for your recovery. My partner had the same emergency surgery but ended up with a stoma for 18 months. He also got a hernia, which needed more surgery so please wear the corset and take it slowly x

You are one pretty awesome human Zanna! You have the most incredible mind set and I’m so pleased you are taking this horrific ordeal to think even more positively about life! Sending you lots of love 💕

All the best with your recovery Zanna and don't worry about uploading videos or changing content, your audience will be waiting for you

God bless you mate. Feel choked up watching this. Love from Florida, USA. X

Take all the time you need to recover Zanna, don’t be worried about content changing. We understand and so proud of you for documenting this recovery! We are with you all the way! 🙏🏼♥️♥️♥️ you WILL get through this and it will make you so much stronger in every way xxxx

So glad you are recovering well. This video made me cry but you told it so well and with such humour it made me laugh a little bit! Wishing you such a speedy recovery!xx

Your so strong, absolute inspiration Zanna!!!! Sending all the love and hugs on a speedy recovery. Xx

You are incredible. I look forward to watching your recovery, and please don’t waste one minute worrying that anyone will lose interest. We are in it with you for the long haul.

Isn’t tramadol just the absolute best? I had a procedure a few years back which went wrong and was pumped with codeine, tramadol and morphine in a really short space of time. Literally had no idea what was going on but I felt great 😂 so glad that you’re back home and on the way to recovery. It’s been really great to see how positive you’ve been throughout. It’s going to be a tough few months but keep up that positive attitude chick!

you are an absolute champ! I've had a few surgeries, and i cannot commend you enough for your attitude! it makes all the difference! hang in there hon! xxxx we are so proud of you!!

Oh my goodness... my jaw drop throughout your whole story. God bless you!!

Completely relate to your story, three years ago I had a twisted bowel and needed a resection. Absolute agony and terrifying not knowing what is wrong but truly knowing the pain is so bad you could die. I hope you take time to process the shock and get plenty of support and love x

I'm so glad you're on the road to recovery! YOU GOT THIS!!

You are truly so positive for everything you went through. I hope you have a speedy recovery!!

This made me ridiculously emotional, was following your journey via you and Steph, so so glad your recovery has gone as well as it could have so far! Keeping my fingers crossed that your recovery continues well! :)

Can't imagine going through any of this, especially in a foreign country! So glad you are feeling better - Hoping for a safe and speedy recovery :)

You are such an inspiration, I’m so sorry to hear your story and the pain you went through. Sending all my love for a positive recovery! 💗💗💗💗

Sending you so, so much love and positive vibes, Zanna. You present such a strong front, it is really touching. Wishing you all the very best in recovery ❤❤❤

Oh Hun , what a terrible ordeal you went through. I’m so glad you’ve got through it and you are on the mend. Just concentrate now on your recovery , take things easy and don’t try and push yourself to quickly. Big loves to you X ❤️

So glad you're okay, Zanna

My dad has had a stoma for nearly ten years and it is really traumatic. I think perhaps it is more scary if you're a young woman whose job does largely depend on her body, but honestly it isn't a life sentence but a lifeline. Still bloody glad you didn't need one. You look incredibly strong and like you are recovering well, mainly down to your mental attitude. But it is going to take a really long time, so get used to it and start accepting all the help that is offered to you. ❤️

You are such a lovely person, Zanna, we'll watch you whatever content you put out! whatever you end up doing, you'll be amazing at it! And very encouraging and a good motivator for people. Much love xxxx (I cried so much watching this!)

Rest up, keep smiling and I wish you the best recovery Zanna 😊

So much love for you Zanna. Wishing you all the health and you are such an inspiration, true warrior ❤

This is so scary! I had something totally different where I was told to expect to wake up with a stoma bag or a hysterectomy! Luckily I needed neither but it’s so scary! Also I went vegan officially yesterday inspired by you and Sarah’s Vegan Kitchen! Thanks for everything you’ve done to encourage from your educational and non judgemental videos!

Zanna you are such a strong woman! I’m so terribly sorry that you’ve had to go through so much physical pain and probably mental struggle also. I wish you healing and health and nothing but. You’ve shared this awful experience so well, even talking about it so soon shows your strength. I love all your videos keep being such a joyful delight of a person and I look forward to seeing you heal!!!! Lots of love! Xxx Julia

wishing you a speedy recovery

Wishing you a speedy recovery!! Take it easy, get plenty of rest and fluids

First of all, I'm so glad you're okay and I wish you all the best. Your Video just opened my eyes, how often do we struggle with our bodies, with their shape etc. and do not appreciate our health?! I just needed to cry because I realized how fast things can change and actually how unimportant a little bit of belly-fat is. I feel so guilty for always comparing my body with other ones and for judging him as being not good enough. Wow! What a waste of time! Thank u for your Video, you're so brave !!!

Wow - I'm so happy you're going to be okay. You've been through a horrible ordeal - so please be kind to yourself and concentrate on healing. Sending you positive vibes and lots of love.❤️

I'm just happy that you're okay, even though your story is super interesting! I am so sorry you had to go through this. You are such an inspiration and motivation. Your positive attitude is just amazing

What a bummer!!! You were in paradise and then you had something very serious go wrong! And least you got to recover partly in paradise. Well done on the bravery stakes. Someone I know had their bowel do something similar, and they were writhing on the floor in the emergency waiting room in massive pain. Serious stuff!

So happy you are okay Zanna! Wishing you the best possible recovery I know how hard it is to go through a major surgery and the recovery is so hard - not being able to do anything especially for active people!! But I am wishing the best for you💕💕

My mum had this exact surgery and it happened when we were on holidays too. They also really struggled to diagnose it and they thought it was food poisoning. We were told she was essentially 20 minutes away from death (60% death rate) not to mention she was a "best case scenario" (no colostomy bag) too and you'll be happy to know shes basically been fine ever since!! We were very very lucky. Best of luck with your recovery :) X As for the scar.. it was (is) super bunchy and no belly button but you can have plastic surgery (which was covered via travel insurance since we were traveling too) to neaten it up.

I’m so glad you’re okay. What a scary experience for you. I hope the funny symptoms you’re having ease soon. Thinking of you x

Thank you for sharing! Its a life changing experience when you find yourself in the hospital unexpectedly, knowing you almost died. Seeing the positive in everything, I think it could be a sign that you are supposed to focus on other things than fitness for a while? Well, besides taking care of yourself of course. Like sustainability, ocean cleanup, your brands, etc. maybe you even find one or two new passions during this time? Hey, And one of your 2019 goals is definitely on track- making new friends (with doctors and nurses:). Stay positive!

Oh zanna you are so lovely and wonderful, take your sweet ass time to recover and you'll be back on top of the world in no time. Sending you all the love in your recovery xxxx

I am so glad you are on the mend! I definitely cried a few times watching this. Love you and keep taking it easy getting better! xx

Hope you have a speedy recovery Zanna! Sending you good vibes ❤️

So inspiring, how positive you are about something that was so difficult.

Wow girlfriend I currently had surgery and thought I had a bowel blockage afterwards but after hearing your story I know I do not because I would’ve been on the bathroom floor to0! So glad you survived this mess! That is outlandish!! You’re alive! Bless God!

I got very emotional listening to your story. My cousin and her daughter have a genetic issue that necessitated their colons being removed. My cousin was able to have a new connection made so she doesn’t need a stoma, but her daughter was not so fortunate (effing stupid surgeon 😡) and will have a bag for the rest of her life. That must have been so scary for you, going to sleep for surgery and not knowing if you were going to wake up okay or with a stoma. My family knows that anxiety. I’m so glad everything turned out okay for you. Sending you lots of love and wishing you a healthy recovery! ❤️

I’m so thankful that you are okay!!!! Blessed to have steph and ant by your side! Keep resting and recovering, you’re the best ❣️

You’re so brave and somehow you told this video in a way that made it a lot less hard to comprehend x