Sandra Thoen and her weight-loss surgery – in her own words

What did Sandra Thoen say about her operation?

Sandra Thoen, then 25, was a guest on the podcast «Chit Chat med Helle», and TV 2 reported the conversation in October 2022. She described being bullied about her body from kindergarten onwards and struggling with her weight for most of her childhood. At 18 she decided to have weight-loss surgery, because she experienced the excess weight as both a mental and a physical barrier. The operation she had was a gastric sleeve.

In her words: “I'm very glad I did it so young. There is so much new that happens in your twenties that I know I would have held myself back from if I hadn't had the operation. It's also important to mention that I had tried everything else, and that this was the last resort.” She also said that she had luckily not developed health problems such as diabetes or heart disease, but that “it's almost just around the corner when you are quite overweight.”

That is all we rely on here. Where the article explains methods, preparation and recovery below, it describes bariatric surgery in general, not her treatment.

What her words tell us

Thoen was honest about the shame she felt: “I remember so well that I sat down with Mum and Dad and told them I wanted to have that operation. I was so ashamed. There is so much shame around that topic, at least at the time.” Talking about it openly on a popular podcast helps make the subject less of a taboo.

She was just as clear that the operation is not a shortcut. She called it a “kick start” and recalled what the doctors told her: “We don't operate on the head.” In her words, they only remove part of the stomach, and “the rest you have to do yourself.” She also explained that the stomach stretches over time, so she still has to work on overeating seven years later. That is exactly how specialists describe weight-loss surgery: a powerful tool that works together with new eating habits.

How bariatric surgery is done today

Modern bariatric operations are laparoscopic, done through four small punctures of 5–15 mm. The main options are:

• Sleeve gastrectomy — most of the stomach is removed, leaving a narrow tube that holds much less food.
• Roux-en-Y gastric bypass — a small stomach pouch is connected directly to the small intestine.
• Mini gastric bypass (one-anastomosis) and SADI-S — used for specific indications, including very high BMI.

A sleeve works less durably if the diet is not followed, which matches what Thoen herself said about the stomach stretching. The choice of operation is made by the surgeon after an examination.

Who it is for and how to prepare

Bariatric surgery is generally considered with a BMI above 40, or above 35 with serious related conditions, and sometimes lower when non-surgical approaches have not worked. Preparation includes blood and urine tests, biochemistry, HbA1c and a coagulation panel, as well as assessments by a GP, endocrinologist, psychiatrist and cardiologist (and a gynaecologist for women). Two to four weeks before surgery, fast carbohydrates and fats are cut, and smoking should stop a month before.

Recovery after bariatric surgery

Patients are up and moving on the first day and usually stay one to five days. Office work is often possible after two to four weeks, physical work after about six. Food returns in stages over one to two months: liquid, then soft, then solid. Swimming is fine after about 30 days, and travel is best planned no earlier than a month after surgery. The final result is assessed after 1.5–2 years, vitamins are taken for life, and pregnancy is recommended no earlier than 12–18 months after the operation.

1. Day of surgeryLaparoscopic operation through four small punctures under general anaesthesia.
2. Day 1You get up and start moving; the stay is usually one to five days.
3. Weeks 1–8Staged diet: liquid, then soft, then solid food over one to two months.
4. Weeks 2–6Back to office work after two to four weeks, physical work after about six.
5. After 1 monthSwimming and travel become possible.
6. First yearRegular follow-up with the team; vitamins every day.
7. 1.5–2 yearsThe final result is assessed.

Bariatric surgery at City Medical Centre

City Medical Centre offers sleeve gastrectomy ($3,600), Roux-en-Y gastric bypass ($4,000), mini gastric bypass and SADI-S, all laparoscopic. The first consultation with the surgeon is free and can be held online; after the assessment the doctor recommends a procedure, and the price is fixed in the contract. A personal coordinator guides the patient from the first enquiry through recovery, and the team follows up during the whole first year. More details are on the bariatric surgery page.

To be clear: City Medical Centre has no connection with Sandra Thoen or her treatment. Her words are quoted here because she chose to share her experience publicly.

Frequently asked questions

What operation did Sandra Thoen have?

She had a gastric sleeve (sleeve gastrectomy) at the age of 18, as TV 2 reported from her podcast interview in October 2022.

Why did Sandra Thoen choose weight-loss surgery?

She said she had struggled with her weight and bullying all her life, experienced it as a mental and physical barrier, had tried everything else, and that the operation was her last resort.

Does she regret the operation?

No. She said she was very glad she did it so young, while stressing that the operation is only a kick start and that the rest is up to the patient.

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 fixed in the contract after the free consultation.

How long is recovery after a gastric sleeve?

Patients usually stay one to five days, return to office work in two to four weeks and move back to normal food over one to two months. The final result is assessed after 1.5–2 years.