Did Dominique Van Malder have a gastric reduction? Yes, and he urges others to talk about it

What did Dominique Van Malder say about his gastric reduction?

Flemish actor and TV maker Dominique Van Malder, known among other things for the series “De twaalf” and “Albatros”, had a gastric reduction (in Dutch: maagverkleining) and followed his entire journey on camera for the programme “Patiënt Dompi”, broadcast on Play4 in the summer of 2023. In August 2023 he talked about it on the Radio 1 show “De wereld vandaag”, as reported by VRT NWS. He named the procedure himself: “A gastric bypass is more than a little snip in the stomach.”

He explained why he decided to have it: “I had struggled with obesity since I was seven, so I had been on many diets and did a lot of sport. I could easily lose 25 kilograms, but I needed help to keep it up. Something we are sometimes not good at: asking for help.”

That is all we rely on here. Van Malder said he had a gastric bypass; he did not describe the surgical details, so this article does not guess. Where the text below explains methods and timelines, it describes bariatric surgery in general, not his treatment.

Why his openness matters

Van Malder chose to share his story on television precisely because the subject is still surrounded by embarrassment. “It is incredible how much shame and taboo there still is around a gastric bypass,” he said. He added that he keeps receiving thank-you messages from viewers, “not only from patients, but also from family members who now dare to start the conversation with patients.” Some people told him that the programme made them change their lifestyle and decide against surgery altogether.

He also pushed back against the idea that patients take the decision lightly: “Let me start by saying that people who choose a gastric bypass have usually thought about it for a very long time. Obesity is something you carry with you for a long time, something you have been fighting for a long time.” His journey, from the first appointment to the operation, took about half a year, and he said he was grateful afterwards that he had time to prepare mentally. His advice is short: “Get support, a gastric reduction is one of the options but there are more, and dare to talk about it and to show your vulnerability.”

Looking back, he said he was satisfied with the procedure. He watches what he eats, boxes twice a week and has more energy after a long day of filming. “I feel healthier. Yes, I have to take vitamins now, but I can leave out the medication for apnoea, rheumatism, high blood pressure.” That honest picture — a tool that works together with new habits, not a shortcut — is exactly what surgeons try to explain to their patients.

How bariatric surgery is done today

Bariatric (weight-loss) surgery reduces the volume of the stomach and, in some procedures, changes the route of food through the intestine. At City Medical Centre all four procedures are performed laparoscopically, through four small punctures of 5–15 mm:

• Sleeve gastrectomy — most of the stomach is removed, leaving a narrow tube.
• Roux-en-Y gastric bypass — a small stomach pouch is connected directly to the small intestine.
• Mini gastric bypass (one-anastomosis) and SADI-S — options for specific situations, such as a very high BMI.

Which procedure fits depends on the BMI, related conditions such as diabetes, sleep apnoea or high blood pressure, and eating habits. That choice is made by the surgeon together with the patient at a consultation, not on the basis of a celebrity story.

Who is a candidate and how to prepare

Bariatric surgery is generally considered with a BMI above 40, or above 35 with serious related conditions; sometimes at a lower BMI if non-surgical approaches have failed. Van Malder described his own preparation as a series of consultations and examinations and said: “You have to be ready for it mentally and physically.” In general, preparation includes:

• blood and urine tests, biochemistry, HbA1c and a coagulation panel;
• consultations with a GP, endocrinologist, psychiatrist and cardiologist (and a gynaecologist for women);
• cutting fast carbohydrates and fats 2–4 weeks before surgery;
• quitting smoking a month before.

Recovery and life afterwards

After the operation patients stay in hospital for 1–5 days and are up and moving on the first day. The diet is built up in stages 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, and after a bypass vitamins are needed for life — something Van Malder mentioned himself. Eating habits and exercise remain important for good, which he also stressed: he said he still pays attention to his food and will have to do so for the rest of his life. The timeline below shows the usual stages.

1. Day of surgeryLaparoscopic operation through small punctures; you are up and moving on the first day.
2. Days 1–5Hospital stay under supervision, start of the liquid diet.
3. Weeks 2–4Office work is usually possible again; the diet moves from liquid to soft food.
4. Month 1Swimming is allowed after 30 days; travel is best planned from this point.
5. Months 1–2Gradual return to solid food, with small portions and careful chewing.
6. Months 18–24The final weight-loss result is reached; vitamins as prescribed, lifelong after a bypass.

Bariatric surgery at City Medical Centre

City Medical Centre performs sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, mini gastric bypass and SADI-S for international patients. The first consultation with the surgeon is free and can be held online. Current prices start at $3,600 for a sleeve gastrectomy and $4,000 for a gastric bypass; the final cost is named after the consultation and fixed in the contract. The team follows up with patients during the first year. More details are on the bariatric surgery page.

To be clear: City Medical Centre has no connection with Dominique Van Malder or his treatment. His story is simply a well-known example of someone who talked openly about the procedure.

Frequently asked questions

Did Dominique Van Malder have a gastric bypass?

Yes. He talked about his gastric bypass on Radio 1 in August 2023, as reported by VRT NWS, and followed his whole journey in the programme Patiënt Dompi on Play4.

Why did Dominique Van Malder choose a gastric reduction?

He said he had struggled with obesity since he was seven. He could lose 25 kilograms through diets and sport, but needed help to keep the weight off, and saw the operation as that help.

Why did he talk about it on television?

Because, in his words, there is still an incredible amount of shame and taboo around a gastric bypass. He wanted to encourage people to get support and to dare to talk about it.

How much does bariatric surgery cost at City Medical Centre?

Prices start at $3,600 for a sleeve gastrectomy and $4,000 for a gastric bypass. The final cost is given after the free consultation and fixed in the contract.

Do you need vitamins after a gastric bypass?

Yes, after a bypass vitamins and minerals are needed for life. Van Malder mentioned this himself, and added that he could stop taking medication for apnoea, rheumatism and high blood pressure.