Did Danla Bilic have weight-loss surgery? Yes, and she explained why

What did Danla Bilic say about her stomach surgery?

In 2018 news spread that the beauty YouTuber had undergone stomach reduction surgery, and she confirmed it herself in a message to her followers. Habertürk published her statement: “What you have read is true, and thank you very much for your get-well messages. I had surgery. Because, even though I didn’t show it, deep down I realised that I had reached this point — or rather, had been brought to it. I didn’t want to talk about it so as not to normalise or trivialise something like this, and so that it would not become an example for my young followers.” She added that she had felt overwhelmed by constantly hiding parts of her body and wrote: “I’m sure much better days are waiting for me.”

Two years later, in an interview with InStyle, she returned to the subject. CNN Türk quoted her on 2 July 2020: “I have had surgery only four times, including the stomach. When people publish my before-and-after photos, I’m not upset at all. On the contrary, I say: ‘What a right thing I did.’”

That is all we rely on here. She did not name the type of operation, the surgeon or any medical figures, so this article does not guess at them. Where the text below explains procedures and timelines, it describes bariatric surgery in general, not her treatment.

Why her caution matters

The most striking part of her statement is not the news itself but the warning attached to it: she did not want to “normalise or trivialise” the operation or make it an example for young followers. Doctors would put it the same way. Bariatric surgery is a serious operation on the digestive system with clear medical indications, a thorough examination beforehand and lifelong changes afterwards — in diet, in taking vitamins, in follow-up. It is not a shortcut, and it is not for everyone who wants to lose a few kilos.

That is why the decision is made by a team of doctors after tests and consultations, not on the basis of someone else’s story — however open it is.

How bariatric surgery is done today

All operations at City Medical Centre are laparoscopic: the surgeon works through four small punctures of 5–15 mm. The main procedures are:

• Sleeve gastrectomy — most of the stomach is removed, leaving a narrow tube; the volume of food and hunger decrease.
• Roux-en-Y gastric bypass — a small stomach pouch is connected directly to the small intestine, which limits both the volume of food and its absorption.
• Mini gastric bypass (one-anastomosis) and SADI-S — options for particular cases, for example a very high BMI.

Who is it for and how to prepare

Bariatric surgery is indicated with a BMI above 40, or above 35 with serious related conditions; sometimes at a lower BMI if non-surgical approaches have failed. Before the operation patients have blood and urine tests, biochemistry, HbA1c and a coagulation panel, and see a GP, an endocrinologist, a psychiatrist, a cardiologist and, for women, a gynaecologist. Fast carbohydrates and fats are cut 2–4 weeks before, and smoking is stopped a month before.

Life after the operation

Patients stay in the clinic for 1–5 days and are up and moving on the first day. The diet is staged over 1–2 months: liquid, then soft, then solid food. Office work is usually possible after 2–4 weeks, physical work after about 1.5 months; swimming after 30 days. Travel is best planned no earlier than a month after surgery. The final result is reached in 1.5–2 years, pregnancy is planned no earlier than 12–18 months after the operation, and vitamins are taken for life. The timeline below shows the usual stages.

1. Day of surgeryLaparoscopic operation through four small punctures; up and moving on the first day.
2. Days 1–5Stay in the clinic under observation.
3. Weeks 1–8Staged diet: liquid, then soft, then solid food.
4. Weeks 2–6Back to office work after 2–4 weeks, physical work after about 1.5 months.
5. After a monthSwimming is allowed; travel is best planned no earlier than now.
6. 1.5–2 yearsThe final result is reached; vitamins are taken for life.

Bariatric surgery at City Medical Centre

City Medical Centre performs sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, mini gastric bypass and SADI-S for international patients. The consultation with the surgeon is free; the exact cost is confirmed after the examination and fixed in the contract. A sleeve gastrectomy costs $3,600 and a gastric bypass $4,000. The team follows the patient up during the first year. More details are on the bariatric surgery page.

To be clear: City Medical Centre has no connection with Danla Bilic or her treatment. Her story is simply a well-known example of someone who spoke openly about the operation.

Frequently asked questions

Did Danla Bilic have bariatric surgery?

Yes. In 2018 she confirmed to her followers that she had undergone stomach reduction surgery; Habertürk published her statement. In 2020 she told InStyle she had had four operations, including the stomach, as quoted by CNN Türk.

Which type of stomach surgery did she have?

She did not name the type of operation publicly, so we do not speculate. The article describes bariatric procedures in general.

Who is bariatric surgery for?

It is indicated with a BMI above 40, or above 35 with serious related conditions, and sometimes lower if non-surgical approaches have failed. The decision is made after tests and consultations with several specialists.

How long does recovery after bariatric surgery take?

Patients stay 1–5 days in the clinic, follow a staged diet for 1–2 months and usually return to office work in 2–4 weeks. The final result is reached in 1.5–2 years.

How much does bariatric surgery cost at City Medical Centre?

A sleeve gastrectomy costs $3,600 and a gastric bypass $4,000. The exact price is confirmed after the examination and fixed in the contract.