Woman's Wedding Meal May Be Just Two Haribo After Gastroparesis Diagnosis
Gabriella Overton, a 33-year-old from Eastbourne, East Sussex, faces the heartbreaking reality that her wedding meal might consist of just a couple of Haribo sweets due to a debilitating chronic illness. Her life changed dramatically after a sudden mystery illness left her with a partially paralysed stomach, a condition known as gastroparesis.
A Romantic Trip Turns Into Medical Nightmare
In February last year, Gabriella and her fiancée Elle Dushossoy, 30, embarked on a romantic staycation in Bath. Despite feeling unwell throughout the day, Gabriella pushed through their plans, which included a cheese and wine tasting followed by dinner at The Ivy. That night, she found herself in horrendous agony on the bathroom floor, convulsing and vomiting.
"It felt like someone was stabbing me in the stomach with an electrode," Gabriella recalled. The pain was so severe she couldn't move, marking the beginning of a health crisis that would spiral out of control in the following months.
Diagnostic Odyssey and Drastic Weight Loss
Upon returning home, Gabriella's condition worsened. Every time she ate, she would end up on the floor in pain, unable to keep food down. Medical professionals embarked on an extensive diagnostic journey, testing her for:
- Coeliac disease
- Five different types of cancer
- Malaria and dengue fever
- Various other tropical diseases
Despite all tests returning clear, Gabriella continued to vomit after eating and her weight plummeted dangerously. At her lowest point, she weighed just 6.7 stone (43kg), with size four clothes hanging off her skeletal frame. She described herself as looking "skeletal" during this period.
Gastroparesis Diagnosis and Permanent Feeding Tube
After months of uncertainty, Gabriella was admitted to the gastroenterology ward in November 2025. A gastric emptying study revealed her stomach was partially paralysed, leading to a definitive diagnosis of gastroparesis in February this year.
The diagnosis came with life-altering implications. Gabriella now has a permanent feeding tube fitted through her abdomen into her stomach and small intestines, which she may require for life. While she has regained some weight, now at 8 stone (52kg), her ability to eat normally has been permanently compromised.
Wedding Plans Overshadowed by Dietary Restrictions
Gabriella and Elle are planning their wedding, but the celebration is clouded by Gabriella's dietary limitations. She cannot participate in cake tasting or menu planning, and likely won't be able to eat the chosen set menu on their big day.
Her current "safe foods" list is heartbreakingly short:
- Ginger biscuits
- A square of Galaxy or Lindt chocolate
- A couple of Haribo sweets
Even these minimal options don't always stay down. Gabriella admitted, "At my wedding, it'll probably be a case where I will be dished up the same as everybody but I'll just sit there and have a mouthful if I can."
Daily Struggle and Additional Health Challenges
Gabriella's daily life revolves around managing her condition. Medical professionals encourage her to try eating around 400 calories daily alongside her feeding tube nutrition, but some days all she can manage is a full-fat Coca-Cola, which can take up to two hours to drink.
In September last year, she also began treatment for Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS). While not definitively linked to her gastroparesis, there may be connections between these conditions.
Raising Awareness About Invisible Illness
Gabriella is now speaking out about her "invisible" illness, hoping to increase understanding that not all disabilities are visible. "Looks can be deceiving," she emphasized. "Just because someone looks fine doesn't mean they are, they could be hiding and handling so much."
She describes chronic illness as a "life sentence" rather than something with a clear resolution like cancer treatment. Her dream is simple yet profound: to enjoy a meal out with her partner without pain or vomiting, something most people take for granted.
As Gabriella prepares for her wedding, she faces the bittersweet reality that her celebration will be marked by the limitations of her condition. Yet through her advocacy, she hopes to bring greater awareness to gastroparesis and other chronic invisible illnesses that dramatically alter lives while remaining unseen by casual observers.
