Fredrik Bolte had a gastric bypass

Text: Annika Lund, published in Medicinsk Vetenskap nr 1 2026.

"When I was in my 20s, a doctor raised the idea of gastric bypass (GBP). But I resisted because, like so many others, I saw GBP as cheating, wrong, vain and downright dangerous. 

By the time I turned 31, I weighed 160 kilos and could no longer fasten my seatbelt. At the same time, I was about to become a father. I went on a juice fast for two months and lost over 40 kilos, which I, of course, gained again. 

When I finally decided to find out what GBP was, I discovered a huge information gap between what is "common knowledge" and what the research actually says. 

I was then the producer of the satirical programme Svenska Nyheter, and my first impulse was to talk about it there. But I soon realised that a few minutes on television would not be enough, it needed its own documentary. Min tjockumentär, in which I share my gastric bypass experience, was released in 2023. 

The programme received huge attention and was nominated for several awards. That was great, but what made me even prouder were the reactions I received, and still receive, on social media. Other overweight people thank me for the series, saying it gave them the courage to go ahead with surgery or helped others understand them better. 

I have lost weight and now weigh around 100 kilos, and I am happy with that. My goal has always been to be able to live a normal life, and that is what I am doing now. I can cycle, ski and do lots of other things that are important and fun, especially when you are a parent.  

In the past, people with depression were told to pull themselves together and take control of their lives. But when medication for depression became available, that kind of attitude changed. I think I see a similar change when it comes to obesity."