Bariatric surgeryUnited States4 min read
Did Graham Elliot have weight-loss surgery? Yes, and he did it for his family
The celebrity chef and MasterChef judge Graham Elliot had gastrectomy surgery in 2013, after his weight reached almost 400 pounds and began affecting daily life with his children. Here is what he said, as reported by HuffPost, and what the operation involves for anyone considering it today.
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The main points in 30 seconds
- Chef and MasterChef judge Graham Elliot had gastrectomy surgery in 2013, weighing almost 400 pounds.
- He told People, per HuffPost, having the surgery was what he needed to do for his family.
- By September 2013 he'd lost 91 pounds; by December he'd gone from 396 to 268 pounds.
- Bariatric surgery is now routinely laparoscopic; office work is possible after two to four weeks.
- At City Medical Centre, gastric bypass is $4,000, sleeve gastrectomy $3,600; first consultation free.
Key facts about the procedure
- Back to work2–4 weeks
- Stay in clinic1–5 days
- Final result18–24 months
- Price
$4,800from $3,600
Profile
Graham Elliot
- Country
- United States
- Who
- Celebrity chef
- Year of operation
- 2013
- Quote source
- HuffPost, 4 December 2013
What did Graham Elliot say about his surgery?
As reported by HuffPost, which cited his interview with People, Elliot had struggled with his weight his whole life, and at almost 400 pounds found it hard to get in and out of a car, tie his shoe or play with his kids. Explaining his decision to go ahead with the surgery, he told People: “This is what I need to do for my family.” By September 2013 he had already lost 91 pounds, and by December that year he had gone from 396 pounds to 268.
This is what this article relies on. Elliot did not name the exact surgical technique beyond having had a gastrectomy, so this article does not guess at further detail.
Why his reasoning matters
Elliot's stated motivation — wanting to be able to physically keep up with his children — is one of the most common reasons patients give for choosing bariatric surgery, and it is a practical one rather than a purely cosmetic one. His description of day-to-day difficulties, such as struggling to tie his shoes, illustrates how severe obesity affects ordinary life well beyond appearance.
The pace of his result — 91 pounds within months, more than 120 pounds within the year — is also consistent with how surgeons describe the expected trajectory after a gastrectomy, provided the patient follows the post-operative diet and activity plan.
Bariatric surgery abroad: choose a city and clinic
Prices, the clinic and a free online consultation for each city:
How a gastric bypass or sleeve is done today
Bariatric operations are now routinely performed laparoscopically, through a few small punctures. The main options discussed at a consultation today:
Principle
- Sleeve gastrectomy
- Stomach reduced to a narrow tube
- Roux-en-Y gastric bypass
- Small pouch plus intestinal bypass
- Mini gastric bypass
- Single connection to the intestine
- SADI-S
- Sleeve with a single intestinal bypass
Usually considered for
- Sleeve gastrectomy
- BMI 35–45
- Roux-en-Y gastric bypass
- BMI over 45–50, type 2 diabetes
- Mini gastric bypass
- Chosen individually
- SADI-S
- BMI over 50
Average excess weight loss
- Sleeve gastrectomy
- 60–70%
- Roux-en-Y gastric bypass
- 75–85%
- Mini gastric bypass
- Up to 75–80%
- SADI-S
- 80–90%
After any bypass-type operation, vitamins and minerals are needed for life. The mini bypass carries a risk of bile reflux, which the surgeon weighs when choosing the method.
Who is a candidate and how to prepare
The usual indication is a BMI above 40, or above 35 with serious related conditions such as type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure. Before surgery patients go through:
- blood and urine tests, biochemistry, HbA1c and a coagulation panel;
- consultations with a GP, endocrinologist, cardiologist, psychiatrist and, for women, a gynaecologist;
- two to four weeks with fewer fast carbohydrates and fats;
- quitting smoking at least a month beforehand.
Recovery after bariatric surgery
The hospital stay is one to five days and walking starts on day one. Office work is typically possible after two to four weeks, physical work after about six. The diet moves from liquids to soft food to normal food over one to two months. Swimming is allowed after about 30 days, and travel is best planned at least a month after surgery.
The final result is judged after one and a half to two years; pregnancy is advised no earlier than 12–18 months after the operation.
How recovery after bariatric surgery usually goes
- Day of surgeryLaparoscopic operation through several small punctures.
- Day 1Up and walking; the team monitors you in the ward.
- Days 1–5Discharge from hospital, depending on the procedure.
- Weeks 2–4Back to office work; liquid and then soft diet.
- Months 1–2Normal food textures return gradually; swimming and travel are allowed.
- Months 12–18Pregnancy can be planned from this point if relevant.
- Months 18–24Weight stabilises and the 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, all laparoscopically through four small punctures of 5–15 mm, for international patients including patients from Chicago. A gastric bypass costs $4,000 and a sleeve gastrectomy $3,600. The first surgeon's consultation is free and can take place online; the cost named after the assessment is fixed in the contract.
Planning the procedure from your city? Read more: Surgical Treatment of Obesity in Leipzig, Bariatric Surgery in New York and Gastric Sleeve and Bypass in Port Harcourt.
A personal coordinator stays with the patient from the first enquiry through recovery. More information is on the bariatric surgery page and the page for patients from Chicago.
To be clear: City Medical Centre has no connection with Graham Elliot or his treatment. We quote him only because he spoke about the procedure openly.
Frequently asked questions
Why did Graham Elliot have weight-loss surgery?
He said it was what he needed to do for his family, after his weight made everyday activities with his children difficult.
How much weight did Graham Elliot lose after his surgery?
He had lost 91 pounds by September 2013 and had gone from 396 to 268 pounds by December that year.
How much does bariatric surgery cost at City Medical Centre?
A gastric bypass costs $4,000 and a sleeve gastrectomy $3,600. The consultation is free, and the price is fixed in the contract.
Do I need vitamins after bariatric surgery?
After a bypass-type operation, part of the intestine is bypassed, so vitamin and mineral supplements are needed for life, and blood tests are checked regularly.
Sources
What the article says about the celebrity is based only on these public statements.
- HuffPost, 4 December 2013
Considering the same operation? Get a free consultation
We reply right in the chat — you can send photos
- The first consultation is free, online consultations are available
- The doctor names the cost after the assessment, and it is fixed in the contract
- A personal coordinator guides you from the first message to recovery
In other cities
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