Laurent Ournac and his sleeve gastrectomy: the story in his own words

What did Laurent Ournac say about his operation?

In an interview with the Belgian magazine Ciné-Télé-Revue, quoted by Voici on 4 September 2026, the actor said: “I had bariatric surgery; I lost weight through an operation called a sleeve gastrectomy in 2014 (…) For my part, I have to be followed for life.” He added that he did not want to go into detail so as not to give false hope: “Every journey is different and has to be supervised.”

In an earlier interview with Gala, also quoted by Voici, he dated the operation to 2015 and said he had lost 60 kilos in a few months, and that the hardest period came after the surgery, when the change was very fast. Yahoo Actualités, relaying Purepeople, recalled that he spoke about losing “half a quintal in seven months” and, on M Radio, about how hard it is to see the kilos come back years later.

That is all we rely on here. Ournac himself gives 2014 in one interview and 2015 in another, so we do not choose between them, and we add no medical details he did not share. The explanations below describe sleeve gastrectomy in general, not his treatment.

Why his honesty matters

Ournac does not present the operation as a miracle. He talks about it as a tool that works together with a strictly regulated diet, and he openly criticises pills sold online and “methods” promising the impossible. He also says what many patients learn later: weight can come back, and follow-up does not end after the hospital stay.

For people living with obesity, this is a useful message. Bariatric surgery is a serious medical decision for health reasons, it is made with a team of doctors, and it requires lifelong changes in eating habits. Hearing that from a well-known actor can make it easier to talk to a doctor calmly, without shame and without illusions.

What a sleeve gastrectomy is

A sleeve gastrectomy is a laparoscopic operation: the surgeon works through four small punctures of 5–15 mm and removes a large part of the stomach, leaving a narrow tube-shaped “sleeve”. With a smaller stomach, people feel full sooner and eat less.

It is one of several bariatric operations. The two most common options compared:

The sleeve can be less durable if the diet is not followed — which is exactly why doctors insist on long-term follow-up, the point Ournac himself keeps making.

Who is it for?

Bariatric surgery is usually considered when:

• the body mass index (BMI) is above 40;
• the BMI is above 35 and there are serious weight-related conditions;
• in some cases with a lower BMI, if non-surgical approaches have not worked.

Before surgery patients have blood and urine tests, biochemistry, an HbA1c test and consultations with several specialists, including a GP, an endocrinologist, a cardiologist and a psychiatrist. It is recommended to cut fast carbohydrates and fats two to four weeks before and to stop smoking a month before.

What recovery looks like

Patients are usually up and walking on the first day and stay in hospital for one to five days. The diet moves in stages over one to two months, from liquid to soft to normal food. Office work is usually possible after two to four weeks, and long trips are best planned no earlier than a month after surgery. Vitamins are needed for life, and the final result is assessed after one and a half to two years. As Ournac’s story shows, keeping the result is a long-term task. The timeline below shows the usual stages.

1. Day of surgeryLaparoscopic operation through four small punctures under general anaesthesia.
2. Day 1Patients get up and walk; drinking starts in small sips.
3. Days 1–5Hospital stay, depending on the operation and how you feel.
4. Months 1–2Staged diet: liquid, then soft, then normal food; swimming after about 30 days.
5. Months 1–12The fastest weight loss and regular follow-up with the team.
6. 1.5–2 yearsThe final result is assessed; vitamins and healthy habits continue for life.

Bariatric surgery at City Medical Centre

City Medical Centre performs sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, mini gastric bypass and SADI-S for international patients, all laparoscopically. The first consultation with the surgeon is free and can be held online: the doctor looks at your weight history and health, recommends the suitable operation and names the cost, which is then fixed in the contract. A sleeve gastrectomy costs $3,600 and a gastric bypass $4,000. 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 Laurent Ournac or his treatment. His story is simply a well-known example of someone who talked openly about the operation.

Frequently asked questions

What operation did Laurent Ournac have?

He said he had bariatric surgery, a sleeve gastrectomy. He repeated it in a September 2026 interview with Ciné-Télé-Revue, quoted by Voici.

When did Laurent Ournac have his sleeve gastrectomy?

He named 2014 in one interview and 2015 in another, so we do not pick one. Either way, he has been talking about it publicly for about ten years.

How much weight did he lose?

He told Gala he lost 60 kilos in a few months; other interviews mention “half a quintal in seven months”. He has also said openly that some weight came back later.

Can weight come back after a sleeve gastrectomy?

Yes, especially if the diet is not followed. That is why the operation comes with lifelong vitamins, dietary changes and regular follow-up with the medical team.

How much does bariatric surgery cost at City Medical Centre?

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