Bariatric surgeryItaly5 min read
Maurizio Mattioli and his weight-loss surgery: the story in his own words
The Roman actor Maurizio Mattioli, known from “I Cesaroni” and “Un ciclone in famiglia”, told viewers of Rai 1’s “La Volta Buona” that he had weight-loss surgery and lost more than 40 kilos — and that he did it for his health, not for his looks. Here is what he said, where it was reported, and what bariatric surgery means 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
- On a programme broadcast on 4 June 2025, reported by Il Mattino, Maurizio Mattioli said he had surgery to lose weight and lost 42 kg.
- He said he feared for his health, was asthmatic and could not breathe well, and that a doctor inspired his trust, so he was not afraid.
- Modern bariatric operations are laparoscopic, through four small punctures under general anaesthesia.
- Patients are usually up and walking on the first day and stay in hospital for one to five days.
- At City Medical Centre a sleeve gastrectomy costs $3,600, and the first consultation with the surgeon is 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
I feared for my health, I was asthmatic, I couldn’t breathe well (…) I really wanted to lose weight because I wasn’t well.
What did Maurizio Mattioli say about his operation?
In the programme broadcast on 4 June 2025, reported by Il Mattino, he explained why he decided on surgery: “I feared for my health, I was asthmatic, I couldn’t breathe well (…) I really wanted to lose weight because I wasn’t well.” About the decision he said: “A doctor inspired my trust and I wasn’t afraid.” And about the result: “I lost 42 kg (…) Thank God it went well. And here I am.” He described the operation as a “reduction of the intestine”.
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WhatsAppA year later, back on “La Volta Buona”, he returned to the subject, as reported by Leggo and Corriere Adriatico: “I lost 43 kilos (…) If I eat a little more, I feel like throwing up. My stomach has shrunk.” He also said his wife worries because he eats little and keeps losing weight, and recalled that before the operation he had sleep apnoea and asthma.
That is all we rely on here. Mattioli did not give the technical name of the procedure — Leggo describes it as a sleeve, he himself speaks of an “intestinal reduction” — so this article does not decide which operation it was. The explanations below describe bariatric surgery in general, not his treatment.
Why his openness matters
Mattioli talks about the operation in the simplest terms: he could not breathe well, he was afraid for his health, and a doctor he trusted helped him decide. This is exactly how bariatric surgery should be seen — as treatment for obesity and the conditions that come with it, not as a cosmetic shortcut.
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, Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery in Pietermaritzburg.
His remark about eating less and his wife’s worry also shows something patients learn quickly: after surgery the relationship with food changes for good, and follow-up with doctors matters.
Hearing a much-loved actor speak about it calmly on national television can make it easier for others to raise the subject with their own doctor.
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How bariatric surgery works today
Modern bariatric operations are laparoscopic: the surgeon works through four small punctures of 5–15 mm. In a sleeve gastrectomy most of the stomach is removed; in a gastric bypass a small stomach pouch is connected directly to the small intestine. Both reduce how much a person can eat. The two most common options compared:
What is changed
- Sleeve gastrectomy
- Most of the stomach is removed
- Gastric bypass
- A small stomach pouch is connected to the small intestine
Typical patient
- Sleeve gastrectomy
- BMI of about 35–45
- Gastric bypass
- BMI over 45–50, often with type 2 diabetes
Average loss of excess weight
- Sleeve gastrectomy
- 60–70%
- Gastric bypass
- 75–85%
Vitamins afterwards
- Sleeve gastrectomy
- Needed, as advised by the doctor
- Gastric bypass
- Lifelong vitamins and minerals
Price at City Medical Centre
- Sleeve gastrectomy
- $3,600
- Gastric bypass
- $4,000
City Medical Centre also performs the mini gastric bypass and SADI-S. Which operation fits depends on weight, related conditions and eating habits, so the choice is made with the surgeon.
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 a GP, an endocrinologist, a psychiatrist and a cardiologist (and a gynaecologist for women). 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 physical work after about a month and a half; swimming is allowed after 30 days, 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. The timeline below shows the usual stages.
How recovery after bariatric surgery usually goes
- Day of surgeryLaparoscopic operation through four small punctures under general anaesthesia.
- Day 1Patients get up and walk; drinking starts in small sips.
- Days 1–5Hospital stay, depending on the operation and how you feel.
- Months 1–2Staged diet: liquid, then soft, then normal food; swimming after about 30 days.
- Months 1–12The fastest weight loss and regular follow-up with the team.
- 1.5–2 yearsThe final result is assessed; vitamins 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 Maurizio Mattioli 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 Maurizio Mattioli have?
He said on Rai 1’s “La Volta Buona” that he had weight-loss surgery, which he called a “reduction of the intestine”. He did not give the technical name, so we do not specify it.
Why did Maurizio Mattioli have surgery?
For health reasons: he said he feared for his health, had asthma and sleep apnoea and could not breathe well.
How much weight did Maurizio Mattioli lose?
He said he lost 42 kg in June 2025 and 43 kilos in May 2026.
Is bariatric surgery only for appearance?
No. It is a treatment for obesity and related conditions, considered with a BMI above 40, or above 35 with serious weight-related illnesses, after tests and specialist consultations.
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.
Sources
What the article says about the celebrity is based only on these public statements.
- Il Mattino, 4 June 2025
- Leggo, 13 May 2026
- Corriere Adriatico, 13 May 2026
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
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