Bariatric surgeryUnited Kingdom4 min read
Did James Argent have weight-loss surgery? Yes, and he announced it himself
The TOWIE star James Argent announced on his own Instagram in April 2021 that he had had gastric sleeve surgery, calling it the first day of the rest of his life. Here is what he said, as reported by OK! Magazine, and what the operation involves for anyone considering it today.
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Medically reviewed by Andrey G. Ugay, lead bariatric surgeon. Review date: .
The main points in 30 seconds
- In April 2021 TOWIE star James Argent announced on Instagram he'd had gastric sleeve surgery.
- He wrote today was the first day of the rest of his life, and his weight loss journey had started.
- OK! Magazine reported his weight had risen to nearly 27 stone during lockdown before the operation.
- He said he was finally ready, physically and mentally, after struggling with his weight for years.
- 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
James Argent
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Who
- Reality TV star
- Year of operation
- 2021
- Quote source
- OK! Magazine, 26 April 2021
What did James Argent say about his gastric sleeve?
As reported by OK! Magazine, Argent wrote on his own Instagram in April 2021: “Today Is the First Day of the Rest of My Life. My weight loss journey has STARTED. I've had my gastric sleeve surgery with the incredible team… I've struggled with my weight for years but I'm finally ready both physically & mentally to do something about it.”
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WhatsAppOK! reported that his weight had risen to nearly 27 stone during lockdown, and that after the operation he celebrated with a trip with friends, saying he was determined not to let his weight “fall back down again.” This is what the article relies on; Argent did not give further surgical detail, so this article does not guess at it.
Why his announcement matters
Argent chose to announce the operation himself, in his own words, on his own account, rather than let it be reported secondhand. His description of being “finally ready both physically and mentally” points to something surgeons discuss at length before bariatric surgery: it works best when the patient is prepared for the lifestyle change that follows, not only the operation itself.
More on this topic: Bariatric surgery with support all the way to your result, Gastric Sleeve (Sleeve Gastrectomy), Gastric Bypass (Roux-en-Y), Bariatric Operations in Phoenix, Obesity Surgery in Singapore.
His determination not to regain the weight afterwards also reflects a realistic view of the operation: a gastric sleeve is a powerful tool, but keeping the result requires ongoing effort, which he was open about from the start.
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 London. 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.
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 London.
To be clear: City Medical Centre has no connection with James Argent or his treatment. We quote him only because he spoke about the procedure openly.
Frequently asked questions
When did James Argent have gastric sleeve surgery?
He announced it on his own Instagram in April 2021.
Why did James Argent choose gastric sleeve surgery?
He said his weight had risen to nearly 27 stone during lockdown and that he was finally ready, physically and mentally, to do something about it.
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.
- OK! Magazine, 26 April 2021
Medical background and further reading
General information about the procedure from health authorities and medical societies. It is not advice for any individual patient.
- PubMed / NCBI — Benefits and Risks of Bariatric Surgery in Adults: A Review (JAMA, 2020)
- PubMed / NCBI — Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy vs Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: systematic review and meta-analysis (2016)
- World Health Organization — Obesity and overweight
- American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery — Bariatric Surgery Procedures
How we prepare and review medical content · Medical disclaimer
Considering the same operation? Get a free consultation
Message a coordinator on Telegram: we reply right in the chat, and you can send photos and questions there too.
- 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
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