Nadja Engsig and her gastric bypass: the story in her own words

What did Nadja Engsig say about her operation?

Nadja Engsig became known to Danish viewers through TV 2 documentaries about her life with binge eating disorder, and later through the programmes “Nadjas farvel til de 170 kilo”. In an interview with SE og HØR published on 6 May 2021, the magazine reported that she had a gastric bypass in August 2020, when she weighed almost 180 kilograms. About the result she said: “It has been almost eight months since the operation, and it has done everything I hoped. It is a huge victory that I made that decision for myself.”

She also explained an unusual choice. Already before the operation she decided that she would not be weighed or measured, and that the number on the scale would not be the yardstick for whether the operation was a success. She said she still holds on to that, and that she does not want to know how much she has lost. She was honest that the road had not been easy: it had been very hard at times and made her doubt herself, even though she could feel it was the right thing for her.

That is all we rely on here. We do not add medical details she did not share and do not guess at the method beyond what was reported. The explanations below describe gastric bypass and bariatric surgery in general, not her treatment.

Why her openness matters

Most public stories about weight-loss surgery are told through numbers: kilos before, kilos after. Nadja Engsig deliberately told hers without them. She has spoken openly about binge eating disorder, and she said that stepping on the scale again could feed the eating disorder she has worked hard to treat. Her point was that she did not have the operation in the belief that being thinner would automatically make her happier; her reasons were different, and she said she often felt alone with that approach.

That message is useful for anyone considering bariatric surgery. The operation is a tool that changes how much a person can eat and how the body handles food. It does not replace treatment of an eating disorder, and it works best when the psychological side is taken seriously before and after surgery. It is also a reminder that success can be measured in quality of life, energy and everyday freedom, not only in kilograms. According to the magazine, she now finds it much easier to go for walks and play with her two dachshunds.

How gastric bypass and other bariatric operations work today

Modern bariatric operations are laparoscopic: the surgeon works through four small punctures of 5–15 mm rather than a large incision. In a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass a small stomach pouch is created and connected directly to the small intestine, so food bypasses most of the stomach and part of the intestine. People feel full sooner, eat less and absorb fewer calories. A sleeve gastrectomy removes most of the stomach and leaves a narrow tube. There are also mini gastric bypass (one-anastomosis) and SADI-S for very high BMI.

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

Who is it for, and how to prepare

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.

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. The psychiatric consultation is not a formality: as Nadja Engsig's story shows, eating behaviour and the reasons behind the decision matter as much as the operation itself. Patients are advised to cut fast carbohydrates and fats two to four weeks before surgery 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 about 30 days, and long trips are best planned no earlier than a month after surgery. After a gastric bypass vitamins and minerals are needed for life. Pregnancy is recommended no earlier than 12–18 months after the operation, 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, lifelong vitamins and regular follow-up with the team.
6. 1.5–2 yearsThe 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 for international patients, all laparoscopically. The first consultation with the surgeon is free and can start 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. A personal coordinator guides the patient from the first enquiry through recovery, and the team follows up during the first year. More details are on the bariatric surgery page.

To be clear: City Medical Centre has no connection with Nadja Engsig or her treatment. Her words are quoted here because she chose to talk publicly about her operation.

Frequently asked questions

What operation did Nadja Engsig have?

According to SE og HØR, she had a gastric bypass in August 2020, when she weighed almost 180 kilograms. The magazine published the interview on 6 May 2021.

How much weight has Nadja Engsig lost?

She does not know and does not want to know. Before the operation she decided not to be weighed or measured, so that the scale would not be the yardstick for success.

Does bariatric surgery treat an eating disorder?

No. The operation changes how much a person can eat, but an eating disorder needs its own treatment. That is why a psychiatrist is part of the preparation before bariatric surgery.

How much does a gastric bypass cost at City Medical Centre?

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

When can I travel home after a gastric bypass?

The hospital stay is usually one to five days, and long trips are best planned no earlier than about a month after surgery. Your coordinator helps plan the dates.