Maurizio Mattioli and his weight-loss surgery: the story in his own words

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”.

A 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. 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.

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:

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.

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 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.