Weight Loss Surgery in Belgrade: Sleeve, Bypass, SADI-S

Yes, bariatric surgery is the medical term for it. At City Medical Centre the main methods are sleeve gastrectomy (gastric sleeve) and gastric bypass; the surgeon chooses the method by your BMI and health.

Usually a BMI over 40, or over 35 with related health conditions. The surgeon confirms whether surgery suits you at the consultation.

Bariatric operations at the clinic are performed by experienced bariatric surgeons:

• Ruslan S. Menzulin — bariatric surgeon and surgical oncologist, 9 years of experience. Trained at Mercy clinic (USA) under Vadim Gushchin, spoke at the World Congress of bariatric surgery in Santiago (2025). Co-author of an international study published in The Lancet.
• Andrey G. Ugay — lead bariatric surgeon, 27 years of experience. Has performed the largest number of SASJ operations in the country. Expert council member of the national Society of Bariatric Surgeons.

Drop us a message and our coordinator will get back to you shortly to book your consultation. The bariatric surgeon consultation is free.

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Surgery is prescribed only when clear criteria are met

• The patient's body mass index (BMI)
• Overall health and any related chronic conditions
• Standard approaches to weight loss have not worked before

The main way to assess the degree of obesity is BMI. It is body weight (kg) divided by height squared (m²). Generally, surgery is justified with BMI above 40, or above 35 combined with serious related conditions. Lower values may sometimes be considered for surgery too, when non-surgical measures have failed.

People often confuse these two, though their aims are fundamentally different. Bariatric surgery is medical treatment of obesity and associated diseases. It changes the way the digestive tract works, acting on the causes of excess weight and on metabolism. Plastic surgery alters outer body contours and does not treat obesity or affect metabolism.

Four main bariatric surgery types are available at City Medical Centre: sleeve gastrectomy, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, mini gastric bypass (MGB) and SADI-S duodeno-ileal bypass. The method is picked individually, considering BMI, related conditions and the patient's goals.

We apply modern laparoscopic technique, operating through 4 small punctures of 5 to 15 mm. Thanks to cosmetic sutures, the marks are almost invisible once they heal.

Recovery is tied to what you do. Office work: after 2–4 weeks. Physical work: after 1.5 months. Sport and activity: you may swim after 30 days, and other exercise is added bit by bit as weight drops. Travel and holidays: best left until at least a month after surgery.

The diet shifts in stages — liquid, then soft, then solid food. Protein is the priority, while high-calorie, fatty food is limited.

Pregnancy after bariatric surgery is possible, but doctors advise waiting at least 12–18 months. During this time the body stabilizes, weight reaches target values and nutritional status normalizes.

Yes, taking vitamins after bariatric surgery is mandatory. Because digestion is anatomically altered, the body absorbs some nutrients poorly, so regular vitamin and mineral supplements stay in the patient's life permanently.

Weight may return after bariatric surgery, though that is very unlikely when you follow the doctor's advice. Key factors: proper nutrition, avoiding high-calorie drinks and regular follow-up with City Medical Centre specialists.