Did Ethel Pozo have a gastric sleeve? Yes, she said so on live TV

What did Ethel Pozo say about her gastric sleeve?

The topic came up on 17 February 2022, when América Hoy invited a specialist to talk about obesity and TV presenter Jaime “Choca” Mandros shared his own experience after bariatric surgery. Ethel Pozo then added her story. Infobae reported her words: “I had gastric sleeve surgery 13 years ago, when I gave birth to my second daughter. What I told the girls is that sometimes I feel like eating more than the capacity I have.” She linked this to the psychological side of eating that had been discussed on the show.

That is all we rely on here. She did not name a clinic, a surgeon or medical details of her treatment in that statement, so this article does not guess at them. Where the text below explains methods and timelines, it describes bariatric surgery in general, not her case.

Why her words matter

Pozo did not present the operation as a miracle. In the same breath as she confirmed it, she said that more than a decade later she still sometimes wants to eat more than her stomach can hold. That is an honest description of what bariatric surgery is: a tool that changes how much a person can eat and how quickly they feel full, not a switch that turns off habits and emotions around food.

This is exactly why doctors insist on preparation, nutritional support and follow-up. The operation works on the body; lasting results also depend on eating patterns, activity and, where needed, psychological support.

How a gastric sleeve works today

A sleeve gastrectomy is done laparoscopically, through four small punctures of 5–15 mm. The surgeon removes a large part of the stomach and leaves a narrow tube, so portions become much smaller and satiety comes sooner. Another common option is gastric bypass, which also changes the route food takes through the intestine.

A sleeve is less durable if the diet is not followed, and after a bypass vitamins and minerals are needed for life. Which option fits is decided at a consultation, based on weight, related conditions and medical history, not on a celebrity story.

Who is a candidate and how to prepare

Bariatric surgery is usually considered with a BMI above 40, or above 35 when there are serious weight-related conditions; sometimes lower thresholds apply if non-surgical approaches have not worked. Preparation typically includes:

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

The psychiatric consultation is not a formality. As Pozo’s own words show, the relationship with food does not disappear after surgery, and it helps to talk about it before the operation.

Recovery and life after the operation

The hospital stay is usually 1–5 days, and patients are up and walking on the first day. Office work is typically possible after 2–4 weeks, physical work after about a month and a half. The diet is staged over 1–2 months: liquid, then soft, then solid food. Swimming is allowed after 30 days, and travel is best planned no earlier than a month after surgery. The final result is assessed at 1.5–2 years; pregnancy is recommended no earlier than 12–18 months after the operation. The timeline below shows the usual stages.

1. Day of surgeryLaparoscopic operation through small punctures under general anaesthesia.
2. Day 1You get up and walk; the team monitors you in the ward.
3. Days 1–5Hospital stay, then discharge with a diet plan and instructions.
4. Weeks 2–4Return to office work; the diet moves from liquid to soft food.
5. Months 1–2Gradual transition to solid food; swimming allowed after 30 days.
6. Year 1Regular follow-up with the team, vitamins as prescribed.
7. Years 1.5–2The final result is assessed.

Bariatric surgery at City Medical Centre

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

To be clear: City Medical Centre has no connection with Ethel Pozo or her treatment. Her story is simply a well-known example of someone who talked openly about this operation.

Frequently asked questions

When did Ethel Pozo have her gastric sleeve?

In February 2022 she said on América Hoy that she had it 13 years earlier, after the birth of her second daughter. She did not give an exact date.

Does a gastric sleeve stop you from overeating?

It reduces stomach volume and makes you feel full sooner, but it does not remove habits or emotions around food. Pozo herself said she still sometimes wants to eat more than her capacity, which is why nutritional and psychological support matter.

Who is a candidate for bariatric surgery?

Usually people with a BMI above 40, or above 35 with serious weight-related conditions. The final decision is made by the surgeon after tests and specialist consultations.

How much does a gastric sleeve cost at City Medical Centre?

A sleeve gastrectomy costs $3,600 and a gastric bypass $4,000. The surgeon’s first consultation is free, and the final price is fixed in the contract.

How long does recovery take?

The hospital stay is 1–5 days, office work is usually possible after 2–4 weeks, and the staged diet lasts 1–2 months. The final result is judged at 1.5–2 years.