LIST OF KENYAN CELEBRITIES WHO’VE UNDERGONE WEIGHT-LOSS SURGERY

By Nyambura Margaret | October 18, 2022

Weight loss surgery is still a taboo subject amongst many Africans. With old fashioned claims of it being an easy way out, many people want to keep their surgery a secret. However, weight loss surgery is on the rise with celebrities being open about the procedures making it an acceptable solution to lose weight. The following celebrities have been open and honest about having weight-loss surgery.

Big Ted’s Gastric bypass

Former State House Director of Brand Strategy and event Big Ted underwent a gastric bypass in a hospital in India. “My weight gain was slowly becoming a nightmare. I tried working out but to no avail. I must have tried every diet there is around. The kilos kept piling up and my suits were a humongous size 68! Obesity comes with many challenges.

I was fortunate since I did not experience any health challenges due to obesity. I was fortunate to meet Dr Mohit Bhandari through a mutual friend while on a visit to Kenya. The renowned doctor who has performed over 7,000 bariatric surgeries and over 500 robotic surgeries suggested that he would help me lose weight.

For about Sh700, 000, which included airfare, accommodation and the gastric bypass, I had finally won the weight loss battle. Within four days I had lost five kilos. For the first month after the procedure, I was not supposed to take any solids. I only ate soup. In the second month, I graduated to purees while by the third month, I was on semi-solid foods.”

Cathrine Kamau’s Gastric Balloon Procedure

The former mother-in-law actress underwent a gastric balloon procedure to help her lose weight, she said the main reason for the procedure was to tone her body because of her screen roles. Taking it to her Instagram she shared a video showing off her transformation, “Same girl, one thing about me I will love the hell out of me, in whatever size.” she captioned the video.

Willis Raburu’s Gastric Bypass

The media personality underwent the procedure in August this year. In an interview with Mungai Eve he revealed that he was forced to undergo weight loss surgery because of his health which cost him between Sh600,000 to Sh 900,000.

Adding that he opted for the surgery because going to the gym was not working for him, “I went for gastric bypass surgery. I respect watu wanaenda gym. Gym ni kazi, nilikua na good trainers but nilikua na lose weight but inarudi. On how it was affecting him health wise, “By the time I was going for the surgery I was not doing well. I was 164kgs. I needed the surgery because my blood pressure and cholesterol were high.” The surgery has been effective in helping him shed weight by cutting his food intake.

Jackie Matubia’s Gastric Balloon Procedure 

The actress and content creator underwent a gastric balloon procedure to manage her weight. Months after giving birth she hinted that she would try to lose weight after a fan body shamed her, “Someone called me a beast because of my current weight. We’ll work out like one and fight like one, ask my friends.” Matubia took to her Instagram to give details of the procedure, “Today I want to give you a small story about my weight loss journey. It has barely been a week and I have lost almost 6kgs,” she said.

The mother of two said she lost six kilograms in one week, from 105.5kg to 99.3kg. She also shared a video swallowing the balloon with a long string which the doctor held, “And just like that, it was done,” she captioned the video. Adding that she got some side effects, “However, after this, you have three days of feeling nauseated and a little bit of vomiting. Most importantly hydrate, hydrate! Especially through IV!” Matubia said the procedure cost her Sh500,000 and she won’t stop at that because her target is to get to 75kgs.

 Fashionable Step Mum’S Gastric Bypass

Catherine Njeri aka Fashionable Step Mum revealed the secret to her major weight loss. She took to social media to reveal that she gained excess weight when she got an implant to prevent her from getting pregnant once she got married to her husband. She was diagnosed with a hiatal hernia and scheduled for surgery to have the hernia removed in India and while at it requested to have surgery to reduce the size of her stomach.

“The doctor advised me to do a mini gastric bypass. So, they would do this together, he would fix the hernia and also do the gastric bypass. The two were successful and after the surgery I stayed in India for a while and you only eat liquids and jellies.

By the time I came home, I had lost nine kilos and that gave me the psyche to continue with my weight loss journey. I know most of you will say it was a shortcut, well to each their own, for me it was something I did to fast-track my weight loss journey.”