Remi Bader, a media influencer, took to Instagram on Sunday to share a bold video after facing backlash for revealing she had undergone weight-loss surgery in secret. In the video, Bader, 30, who had previously admitted to having bariatric surgery in 2023, tried on a bikini while showing her followers her scars and stretch marks.
This video came shortly after Bader disclosed, in an interview on Khloe Kardashian’s podcast, that she had undergone a bariatric procedure nearly two years ago. She had not previously shared the details with her followers, which led many fans to accuse her of being dishonest. Some claimed that she had blocked users who questioned her transformation, fueling further frustration among her audience.
Bader appeared unfazed by the criticism as she showcased a new swimsuit while preparing for a trip to Miami. In the video, she told her 816,000 followers that she had been “in denial” about her current body size for a long time. She explained that she was in the process of cleaning out her closet to make room for new clothes that fit better, admitting that even her underwear no longer fit properly.
“I don’t know if it’s that I waited until I opened up about it to realize what was happening,” Bader said, referring to her weight loss journey. She also addressed rumors circulating online about whether she had undergone skin removal surgery, which she denied. “I did not,” she clarified, adding that she wanted to see how her body would change before considering any additional procedures.
Bader then zoomed in on her stomach to show fans the stretch marks and surgical scars she has from her weight-loss surgery, which included a single anastomosis duodenal-ileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy. She explained that her weight gain had been focused in her stomach area, which was why she felt most of the loose skin in that region.
Later in the video, Bader made it clear that she did not want to be seen as an advocate for weight loss or surgery. “This is my body, and that is that,” she said, emphasizing that while she had nothing against skin removal surgery, she hadn’t undergone it herself. Throughout the video, Bader wore a dark blue bikini and kept her hair in a messy bun while interacting with her audience.
Bader’s revelation came after months of speculation about how she had achieved her slimmed-down look. Fans had speculated that she either underwent surgery or resorted to weight-loss drugs. Bader had avoided addressing these rumors until her podcast interview, where she openly discussed her “health journey.”
Her confession sparked heated reactions. Many fans accused her of misleading them and perpetuating unrealistic beauty standards. Some also claimed that she had blocked followers who questioned her weight loss. On social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), several users expressed frustration over the secrecy surrounding Bader’s transformation, with one fan stating, “She blocked so many people who asked this in her comments for months.”
While the backlash intensified, others defended Bader, arguing that she was entitled to her medical privacy and that she “owes nothing” to her followers. During her podcast interview, Bader shared that she had known for some time that her significant weight loss would eventually be something she would need to discuss. However, she wanted to address it on her own terms, not dictated by public pressure.
Bader acknowledged feeling guilty for not being more open with those who had reached out to her, especially people who had expressed a desire to lose weight. She explained that keeping her journey private allowed her to heal and come to terms with the changes in her body. “People just want an answer from me, and that’s not what I’m giving,” she said.
Bader’s weight-loss journey began in September 2023 when her “morbid obesity” started causing severe pain and threatened her fertility. After being told by a doctor that she was becoming infertile at the age of 28, Bader considered bariatric surgery as an option. Her surgeon recommended a single anastomosis duodenal-ileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy, a newer form of bariatric surgery that Bader chose to undergo.
While the procedure was intended to help her, Bader described the recovery process as the “worst thing of [her] life.” She struggled with complications, experiencing six weeks of vomiting and pain, which her surgeon explained was not typical. Bader feared that the surgery might have damaged her body, but over time, she began to adjust.
In a recent interview with Self magazine, Bader discussed how her rapid weight loss was “confusing” for her. She revealed that she never expected to lose 140 pounds so quickly and admitted that she never intended to reach her current size. During her recovery, she faced deep depression as she dealt with the physical and emotional challenges of her transformation.
Before opting for surgery, Bader had tried weight-loss drugs like Ozempic but found that they worsened her binge-eating disorder. After quitting the medication, she gained much of the weight back. She sought help at an outpatient treatment facility to address her eating habits.
Bader gained popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic as a body-positive influencer and model, known for promoting self-acceptance and confidence. She has since partnered with major brands like Victoria’s Secret, Lululemon, and Swarovski. Recently, she attended the 2025 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.
