Reiner Calmund and his gastric bypass: what he said himself

What did Reiner Calmund say about his operation?

In June 2020 Calmund told the German news site t-online about the result of his operation. According to the report, he had undergone a gastric bypass in January and had since lost around 50 kilograms. In his own words: “I’m happy that I was finally able to put my resolution into action.” And to anyone with the same problems he said: “I can only tell everyone: do it! You feel completely different in your head.” The headline of the article quoted him with a third line: “I’m losing weight and enjoying it.”

That is what we rely on here, and nothing more. Calmund did not describe medical details such as his exact starting weight, his diet plan or his follow-up care in that interview, so this article does not guess at them. Where the text below explains methods and timelines, it describes bariatric surgery in general, not his treatment.

Why his words matter

Weight-loss surgery is still surrounded by shame. Many people who consider it fear being told they took the “easy way out”. Calmund, a public figure known for his size and his sense of humour, chose to talk about the decision plainly and cheerfully. He framed it as a resolution he had finally carried out, not as a secret.

His age is also worth noting. He had the operation at 71, which shows that the decision is not only a question for young patients. What matters is the state of health and the assessment by the medical team, not the year of birth.

Severe obesity is a chronic disease, not a lack of willpower. Surgery does not replace a change of lifestyle; it gives the body a tool that makes the change possible and lasting when diets alone have repeatedly failed.

How bariatric surgery works today

Modern weight-loss operations are done laparoscopically, through four small punctures of 5–15 mm instead of a large incision. The two most common procedures are:

• Gastric bypass — a small stomach pouch is created and connected directly to the small intestine. Less food fits in, and fewer calories are absorbed.
• Sleeve gastrectomy — most of the stomach is removed, leaving a narrow tube. Portions become much smaller and hunger decreases.

City Medical Centre also performs the mini gastric bypass and SADI-S, which is used for a BMI over 50. Which operation fits depends on weight, related illnesses and eating habits — the choice is made at a consultation, not from a celebrity story.

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, such as type 2 diabetes;
• 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 a coagulation panel, and see a GP, an endocrinologist, a psychiatrist and a cardiologist (women also a gynaecologist). It is recommended to cut fast carbohydrates and fats two to four weeks before the operation and to stop smoking a month before.

What recovery looks like

Patients get up and walk on the first day and stay in hospital for one to five days. Food is reintroduced in stages over one to two months: liquid, then soft, then solid. Office work is usually possible after two to four weeks, physical work after about six weeks, and swimming after 30 days. Long journeys are best planned no earlier than a month after surgery. Weight loss is fastest in the first months — t-online reported around 50 kg for Calmund between January and June — and the final result is judged after one and a half to two years. After a bypass, vitamins and minerals are needed for life.

1. Day of surgeryLaparoscopic operation through four small punctures.
2. Day 1You get up and walk; drinking starts in small sips.
3. Days 1–5Hospital stay, depending on the operation and how you feel.
4. Weeks 2–4Return to office work; the diet moves from liquid to soft food.
5. Months 1–2Gradual return to solid food; swimming after about 30 days.
6. Months 1–12The fastest weight loss and regular follow-up with the team.
7. 1.5–2 yearsThe final result is assessed.

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 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, and a personal coordinator stays in touch from the first message to recovery. More details are on the bariatric surgery page.

To be clear: City Medical Centre has no connection with Reiner Calmund or his treatment. His story is simply a well-known example of a man who talked openly about the operation.

Frequently asked questions

When did Reiner Calmund have his gastric bypass?

According to t-online, he had the operation in January 2020 at the age of 71. He spoke about the result in a phone interview published in June 2020.

How much weight did Reiner Calmund lose?

In the June 2020 report t-online wrote that he had lost around 50 kilograms since the operation. We do not add figures from other, unverified sources.

Is a gastric bypass better than a sleeve gastrectomy?

Neither is better for everyone. A bypass usually leads to greater weight loss and is often chosen with a high BMI and type 2 diabetes, but it requires lifelong vitamins. A sleeve suits a BMI of about 35–45. The surgeon recommends the option after examining you.

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 named after the free consultation and fixed in the contract.

Is there an age limit for weight-loss surgery?

There is no fixed upper age in itself; what counts is your overall health and the results of the pre-operative checks. The decision is made individually by the surgeon and the other specialists.