Bariatric Surgery for Patients from Brussels

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.

Message us — our coordinator will reply soon and schedule your consultation. Your consultation with the bariatric surgeon 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
• Conventional weight-loss methods have failed in past attempts

BMI is the primary tool for judging obesity. The formula: body weight (kg) divided by height squared (m²). Surgery is typically justified at a BMI above 40, or above 35 if there are serious related conditions. At times surgery is also considered with lower figures — provided non-surgical treatment has failed.

The two are often confused, yet their goals differ fundamentally. Bariatric surgery is a medical treatment for obesity and its related diseases. It alters how the digestive tract works, tackling the causes of excess weight and metabolism. Plastic surgery changes the body's outer contours; it neither treats obesity nor affects 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.

Modern laparoscopic technique is what we use. Just 4 small punctures of 5 to 15 mm are needed for the operation. Cosmetic sutures mean the marks are nearly invisible after healing.

Your recovery depends on your activities. Office work: in 2–4 weeks. Physical work: in 1.5 months. Sport and activity: swimming after 30 days, with other exercise introduced gradually as weight drops. Travel and holidays: plan them a month or more after surgery.

In stages, your diet goes from liquid to soft to solid food. The main focus is protein and restricting high-calorie, fatty food.

Pregnancy is an option after bariatric surgery, but doctors advise waiting at least 12–18 months. By then the body has stabilized, weight has reached target values and nutritional status has normalized.

Yes, after bariatric surgery vitamins cannot be skipped. As the digestive anatomy changes, some nutrients are absorbed less well, making regular vitamin and mineral supplements a permanent feature of the patient's life.

Regain after bariatric surgery is possible, but very unlikely if you follow the doctor's advice. Proper nutrition, no high-calorie drinks and regular follow-up visits with City Medical Centre specialists make the difference.