Did Jalal Arabi have weight-loss surgery? Yes, a gastric sleeve

He linked the decision to his family history and to his young son: “I lost both my parents at a young age, and my mother’s fight against diabetes has left deep marks. My biggest fear was that my son would go through the same.” And: “I am fighting to be here for a long time yet, strong and healthy for his sake.”

He also explained why he chose to speak at all: “I have been in doubt about whether I should talk openly about this, because I know there are many prejudices out there. Both about diabetes and gastric operations.” According to the magazine, he wrote that the day after the operation his doctor told him he could stop his diabetes medication.

That is what we rely on. Everything below about techniques, recovery and prices describes bariatric surgery in general and the service at City Medical Centre, not his treatment, and his medical outcome is his own, not a prediction for anyone else.

That is in line with what is known about metabolic surgery: for many patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes, blood sugar control improves markedly after surgery, sometimes before much weight has been lost.

He was also right about the prejudice. Weight-loss surgery is still often seen as “the easy way out”, when in fact it is a serious operation that demands lasting changes in eating habits, regular follow-up and, after some procedures, lifelong supplements. Whether it is right for a particular person, and which operation, is decided by a surgeon together with an endocrinologist after tests.

Gastric bypass is often called the “gold standard” for patients with a high BMI and type 2 diabetes, while a sleeve is a common choice at moderate BMI. Which operation fits a particular person is decided by the surgeon after tests and a consultation.

Preparation includes blood and urine tests, biochemistry, an HbA1c test and coagulation tests, as well as consultations with a general practitioner, an endocrinologist, a cardiologist, a psychiatrist and, for women, a gynaecologist. Patients are advised to cut fast carbohydrates and fats two to four weeks before surgery and to stop smoking a month before.

On average about 10% of excess weight is lost per month in the first period, and the final result is assessed after one and a half to two years. Diabetes medication is adjusted only by the treating doctors.

To be clear: City Medical Centre has no connection with Jalal Arabi or his treatment. His words are quoted here only because he chose to talk about his operation publicly.