City Medical Centre · multi-specialty surgery clinicOpen 24/7
EN
Message us on Telegram

Bariatric surgery

Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery in Bujumbura

Discounted price

$3,600

$4,800 · First consultation — Free

Real result
Bariatric surgery: a patient before surgery and after weight loss before after
Weight loss with support and guidance
all along. Your surgery and recovery plan is discussed at no cost — before deciding.

Message our coordinator

Free online consultation · Reply within 15 minutes

Message us on Telegram

By messaging us, you agree to our Privacy Policy

Results

Weight loss our patients achieved

Every case shown is a real clinic patient.

Irina, 26 — before and after bariatric surgerybeforeafter

Irina, 26

Bariatric surgery

Angelina, 22 — before and after bariatric surgerybeforeafter

Angelina, 22

Bariatric surgery

Anna, 31 — before and after bariatric surgerybeforeafter

Anna, 31

Bariatric surgery

Veronika, 25 — before and after bariatric surgerybeforeafter

Veronika, 25

Bariatric surgery

Valentina, 23 — before and after bariatric surgerybeforeafter

Valentina, 23

Bariatric surgery

Evgenia, 41 — before and after bariatric surgerybeforeafter

Evgenia, 41

Bariatric surgery

Anna, 27 — before and after bariatric surgerybeforeafter

Anna, 27

Bariatric surgery

Veronika, 26 — before and after bariatric surgerybeforeafter

Veronika, 26

Bariatric surgery

Kristina, 23 — before and after bariatric surgerybeforeafter

Kristina, 23

Bariatric surgery

Anna, 24 — before and after bariatric surgerybeforeafter

Anna, 24

Bariatric surgery

Veronika, 34 — before and after bariatric surgerybeforeafter

Veronika, 34

Bariatric surgery

Comparison

Weight loss
methods

Two main bariatric operations are available: sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass. Study how they work, what they are meant for and when they apply, then choose confidently.

Sleeve gastrectomy

Reducing the stomach volume

A surgeon explains sleeve gastrectomy to a patient on an anatomical model

Discounted price

$3,600 $4,800

Main goal
Weight loss, feeling full quickly
When it is needed
Obesity without marked reflux
Anaesthesia and stay
General anaesthesia, hospital stay of 1–3 to 4–5 days

Gastric bypass

Reducing the stomach volume and rerouting food

A surgeon shows a patient on a model how gastric bypass is done

Discounted price

$4,000 $5,200

Main goal
Weight loss, better metabolism
When it is needed
Obesity, diabetes or reflux
Anaesthesia and stay
General anaesthesia, hospital stay of 1–3 to 4–5 days

These figures on benefits and recovery are method averages, given as a guide. Your anatomy and personal features decide the extent of surgery and recovery, which the surgeon confirms at the consultation.

Book a consultation

Our clinic

A clinic where you can feel at ease

Up-to-date equipment, comfortable rooms and attention to each patient

A doctor and a patient in a clinic ward

Choose how you would like to contact us

We will answer your questions and find a convenient time for a consultation

Get a consultation

Bariatric surgery is not for everyone

You and the surgeon decide on surgery together, after a consultation and check-up.

SuitableBariatric surgery is used for

A bariatric surgeon explains the indications for surgery to a patient
  • Excess weight
  • Hypertension
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Sleep apnea
  • Varicose veins
  • Joint disease
  • Fatty liver disease
  • Reproductive health problems

Not suitableContraindications

A surgeon discusses contraindications to bariatric surgery with a patient
  • Age under 18
  • Malignant tumors
  • Pregnancy
  • Blood clotting disorders
  • Severe chronic and mental illness
  • Acute illness or flare-ups of chronic disease
  • Less than six months since breastfeeding ended

Can't tell which column fits your case?

Message us on Telegram — our coordinator will tell you whether bariatric surgery is right for you. The surgeon consultation is free, with no commitment to surgery.

Find out if it suits me
A clinic coordinator talks to a patient in the waiting area

Prices

You know the price
before surgery

The cost becomes known at the consultation after your plan is ready, and the contract fixes it.

Discounted price

Sleeve gastrectomy

Reducing the stomach volume

Surgeons during a sleeve gastrectomy

$3,600$4,800

Lock in the price

Discounted price

Gastric bypass

Rerouting food and losing weight

A surgeon during a gastric bypass

$4,000$5,200

Lock in the price

Free

First consultation

A treatment plan after the surgeon's examination

First consultation

Free

the cost of surgery is named
and fixed in the contract

Book a consultation

Find out your method and the cost of surgery

Assessing your health and discussing what you want to achieve, the doctor selects the right bariatric method. The cost is named at the consultation and written into the contract.

A nurse and a patient in a clinic ward after bariatric surgery

Message our coordinator

Free online consultation · Reply within 15 minutes

Message us on Telegram

By messaging us, you agree to our Privacy Policy

A bariatric surgeon discusses a treatment plan with a patient

price

What the $3,600 (≈ BIF 11,000,000) price includes

From preparation to 12 months of support, all in one package. No added fees.Starting with preparation for surgery
and ending with support for 12 months.

  • Surgery and the surgeon's work
  • General anaesthesia
  • Inpatient stay after surgery
  • A slimmer, healthier body
  • Meals at the clinic
  • Support while you keep the weight off
  • A coordinator assigned to you from day one
  • Remote progress check by photos

$3,600$4,800

Discounted price

Lock in the price

How it goes

Treatment at the clinic —
from check-in to discharge

An agreed treatment plan, monitoring in hospital and support for a year.

A bariatric surgeon shows a patient the surgery plan on a tablet1

Consultation and a treatment plan

Your doctor assesses your health, discusses what you want to achieve and orders tests to find the right bariatric surgery method.

Booking the surgery date2

Booking the surgery date

We reserve your surgery date; the deposit can be made by card in the clinic or by online bank transfer. The contract for medical services sets the terms

A blood sample tube for tests before bariatric surgery3

Tests before surgery

Before the operation you undergo blood and urine tests, an ECG, an ultrasound and a gastroscopy and see specialists — the doctor hands you the exact list at the consultation.

Surgeons performing a bariatric operation4

Surgery

The medical team monitors the patient after the operation, which the surgeon performs under general anaesthesia using the chosen bariatric method.

A hospital ward at the clinic5

Inpatient stay

After surgery, doctors supervise you in hospital. You stay from 1–3 to 4–5 days, depending on the complexity of the operation and your well-being.

A doctor and a patient in the ward during recovery6

Recovery

After discharge you are given recommendations on diet and recovery. Planned check-ups track how you feel, your weight and test results. The clinic team supports you for a year.

A plan is drawn up by the doctor at the consultation, with an explanation of how surgery will go

A surgeon shows a patient the result forecast on a tablet

You pay nothing for the consultation, happens before surgery, with no obligation.

Book a consultation
A surgeon shows a patient the result forecast on a tablet

Doctors

Surgeons you can trust

Bariatric surgeon Andrey G. Ugay

Andrey G. Ugay

View profile

27 years of experience

Leading bariatric surgeon
Surgeon

  • Has performed the largest number of SASJ operations in the country
  • Expert council member of the national Society of Bariatric Surgeons
  • Speaks regularly at national and international congresses
Bariatric surgeon Ruslan S. Menzulin

Ruslan S. Menzulin

View profile

9 years of experience

Bariatric surgeon
Surgical oncologist

  • 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

The surgeon operates and then follows you, from the very first consultation to the result.

The patient care manager holds your first consultation free of charge: they work out your BMI, explain the methods and book your appointment with the surgeon.

Book a consultation

Coordinators

Clinic coordinators

We support you at every stage

Your personal coordinator

The person you reach first at the clinic, from your first message up to the consultation

Patient care specialist

Answers your questions before the first consultation and helps select a date that works for you

  • Explains each step of preparation
  • Reminds you about tests and check-ups
Your personal coordinator

With you before and while you stay with us, from booking to discharge

Patient care specialist

Guides your preparation for surgery and stays in contact while you are at the clinic

  • Supports you before and after surgery
  • Helps with documents and bookings
Your personal coordinator

With you throughout your recovery, from discharge to your final check-up

Patient care specialist

Stays in touch through recovery and books every follow-up visit with the surgeon

  • Answers questions during recovery
  • Books follow-up visits

Advantages

Why patients come to City Medical Centre

A surgeon consults a patient in the clinic

An approach shaped around you at every stage

The method we choose is the best one for your health, lifestyle and goals — and our team stays with you throughout.

A tablet with a meal plan and a patient's diary after bariatric surgery

Long-term
support after surgery

We help you settle into new eating habits, keep track of your results and keep them.

A patient at the clinic

Real results that last

Weight loss that is steady, better well-being and a higher quality of life.

A patient picks a convenient visit time in her planner and phone calendar

We work around your schedule

We adapt to your pace and respect your time — easy booking, a personal approach and open 24/7.

A contract with a fixed price for surgery and no hidden fees

Fixed prices

After the consultation the surgeon selects the method, and you get a transparent price — no hidden fees, no surprises on the road to your result.

Prices

Bariatric surgery cost

Apply before this month ends to receive a free consultation for any service

  • Meeting the bariatric surgeon

    Free

    Book

  • Sleeve gastrectomy

    Price without discount: $4,800$3,600

    Book

  • Gastric bypass

    Price without discount: $5,200$4,000

    Book

FAQ

Answers to common questions
before booking

Bariatric Surgery in Bujumbura: price and what is included

Prices are in US dollars; the amount in brackets is an approximate conversion to BIF at the rate of 02.10.2026. The final price is fixed in your contract.

How much does bariatric surgery in Bujumbura cost?

Prices start from $3,600 (≈ BIF 11,000,000). The surgeon sets the final price at the free consultation, and it is fixed in the contract, with no hidden extras.

What is included in the price?

General anaesthesia, a personal coordinator from day one, monitoring in the hospital and support for one year.

How long do the procedure and recovery take?

The hospital stay is 1–5 days, depending on the method and how you feel. Office work is possible after 2–4 weeks.

Is the first consultation free?

Yes. The first consultation is free and does not oblige you to anything. You can start online by sending a message to the coordinator.

How do I get my exact price?

Message us on WhatsApp or Telegram using the buttons below. A coordinator will answer your questions and book a free consultation where the doctor names the exact price.

Message us on Telegram

By messaging us, you agree to our Privacy Policy

Sleeve, bypass or SADI-S in Bujumbura: a short guide

SADI-S combines a sleeve with intestinal bypass in two stages and is one of the most powerful bariatric operations, with 80–90% excess weight loss and a long-lasting result. It suits super obesity with a BMI over 50, severe type 2 diabetes, or a second stage after an ineffective sleeve. Anyone in Bujumbura in these situations can discuss it at a consultation.

Eating changes in stages. A staged diet lasts 1–2 months, moving from liquid to soft to solid food so the stomach can adapt, with the focus on protein and limited high-calorie, fatty dishes. Following specialist advice, patients lose on average 10% of excess weight per month. Those from Bujumbura build stable eating habits that keep the weight from returning.

There are no hidden fees: one package covers everything required for the result. It brings together experienced surgeons, round-the-clock care, meals, nursing, a coordinator and a legal result guarantee. Tick the situations that apply to you and request a free check of your case; a coordinator will contact patients from Bujumbura to arrange the next steps.

Patient reviews

What patients write after this operation. Reviews are translated from the original language.

Irina, 26

For a long time I doubted whether to go ahead with surgery, but after the consultation I felt much calmer. Andrey Georgievich explained in detail how gastric bypass is done, what to expect after the operation and how recovery would go. I especially liked that they talked to me calmly and without pressure. I am now gradually getting used to my new way of life and I am very glad I took this step.

Bariatric surgery

Doctor: Andrey G. Ugay

Angelina, 22

For me the hardest part was deciding to have the operation. At the consultation Ruslan Sergeyevich answered all my questions in detail and explained the specifics of sleeve gastrectomy and recovery. After the operation I always understood what I was doing and why. Thank you to the doctor and the whole team for their attentiveness.

Bariatric surgery

Doctor: Ruslan S. Menzulin

Anna, 31

For a very long time I tried to deal with my excess weight on my own, but I did not get the result I wanted. After the consultation with Andrey Georgievich I finally understood what to do next. I came through the operation well, and my recovery was supervised by the doctors. It was important for me to feel that I was not left alone after surgery.

Bariatric surgery

Doctor: Andrey G. Ugay

Veronika, 25

Before the operation I had many fears, mostly of the unknown. Ruslan Sergeyevich explained every stage of treatment in detail and answered even the simplest questions. Thanks to that I felt much more confident. I keep following the recommendations and I am gradually seeing the changes I had the operation for.

Bariatric surgery

Doctor: Ruslan S. Menzulin

Valentina, 23

The decision to have bariatric surgery was not easy for me. I worried both about the operation itself and about how my life would change afterwards. At the consultation Andrey Georgievich explained everything in detail, so little by little my fear turned into confidence. What matters most to me now is the result and the chance to treat my health and lifestyle differently.

Bariatric surgery

Doctor: Andrey G. Ugay

Anna, 27

I am very grateful to Ruslan Sergeyevich for his attentiveness. Before the operation I had a huge number of questions, and I got a clear answer to every one of them. After the operation it was also clear which recommendations to follow and how to eat. It was important to me that the doctor stayed in touch and I felt supported at every stage.

Bariatric surgery

Doctor: Ruslan S. Menzulin

All patient reviews

Page medically reviewed by Andrey G. Ugay, lead bariatric surgeon. Review date: .

Bujumbura and the question of weight surgery

Bujumbura is the economic capital, the largest city and the main port of Burundi, with about 769317 inhabitants. It is a working city. Traders, port staff, teachers, students, office employees and families all share its daily rhythm. Its position on the north-eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika, at the mouth of the Ruzizi River, shapes the way people live, eat and move around.

Bariatric surgery, meaning sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass, is a serious step for anyone. In a fast-growing city it is often considered quietly, after years of trying diets, exercise and medical advice. The World Health Organization describes obesity as a chronic condition linked to diabetes, heart disease and other illnesses. That is why many residents want an honest, unhurried conversation with a surgeon before deciding anything.

City Medical Centre does not have an office in Bujumbura. We work as a free online consultation service. You speak to us from home or from your workplace, and coordinators are available around the clock (24/7) on WhatsApp and Telegram. This text explains how the procedure fits the real life of the city: its climate, its food, its work patterns and its sports and swimming culture.

Climate of Bujumbura and its effect on recovery

Bujumbura has a tropical savanna climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season runs from October to April. Because the city is close to the equator, temperatures change little over the year. The daytime high is usually around 29 °C and the night-time low around 19 °C. The moderate altitude keeps the heat gentler than many people expect.

For recovery, this stable climate has practical consequences. There is no cold season to plan around, but warm days call for light, breathable clothing over the treated area and the small wounds. Heat can make you feel more tired and thirsty, so a sensible routine of small sips of fluid, rest in the shade and short walks suits the first weeks after the operation. Ask your surgeon about the exact fluid plan, because it changes in the early stages after surgery.

During the rains, humidity and damp conditions matter for wound care. Keep dressings dry, change clothes after sweating and avoid walking through standing water or muddy streets in the first days. Dust on dry-season days is a smaller concern, but clean hands and clean clothing are still the basic rule when the wounds are healing.

What the operation involves

We rely on modern laparoscopic technique. The operation is performed through 4 small punctures of 5 to 15 mm. Cosmetic sutures are used, so after healing the marks are barely visible. For many people in a warm city, where lighter clothes are worn all year, this is a reassuring detail.

The operation is done under general anaesthesia, and the hospital stay is 1–5 days, depending on the method and how you feel. Doctors supervise you in hospital after surgery for a stay of 1–3 to 4–5 days, depending on the complexity of the operation and how you are feeling. You will not be left to manage alone: the first days under observation are used to check your condition and to start the new eating pattern step by step.

The two operations most often discussed are sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass. They work differently and suit different situations, such as the degree of obesity, related conditions and eating habits. The surgeon explains the difference at the consultation and recommends one method for your case. In an online conversation from Bujumbura you can ask to see this explained clearly, and you can come back to the same questions later.

Who is a candidate and who should wait

BMI is the main tool for assessing the degree of obesity. It is calculated by dividing body weight (kg) by height squared (m²). Surgery is usually justified with a BMI above 40, or above 35 with serious related conditions. In some cases surgery is considered at lower values too, if non-surgical approaches have failed. The surgeon confirms whether surgery suits you at the consultation.

Many people in Bujumbura have tried to lose weight alone. They have changed their diet, walked more, joined a gym or played sport, and then regained the weight. That history is useful for the surgeon, so write it down: what you tried, for how long and what happened. Also list your medicines and any conditions such as raised blood pressure, sugar problems or breathing trouble during sleep.

Some situations call for caution or for postponing the decision. These include an untreated serious illness, an unstable mental state, a habit of eating that has not been assessed, and pregnancy. Surgery is not a quick fix and it needs a person who is ready to follow the rules afterwards. The doctors will tell you honestly if it is not the right moment.

Food culture and the new way of eating

Life in Bujumbura is closely tied to the market and the table. The port brings goods into the city, and the central market has long been a place where families buy their food. Meals are often shared with relatives and neighbours, and refusing a second helping can feel awkward. After a bariatric operation the stomach is much smaller, so portions must be small and eaten slowly.

Plan ahead for these moments. Tell close relatives about your operation and your new limits so that they support you rather than press you to eat more. At family gatherings, take a small plate, chew carefully and stop at the first feeling of fullness. Your coordinator and dietitian can help you prepare short phrases and a simple routine for such occasions.

The diet after surgery moves in stages, from liquids to soft food and then to ordinary food, as the surgeon directs. Protein, fluids and vitamins are the main points of attention. Avoid sugary drinks and fatty snacks that are easy to buy in the street. Bring the foods you actually eat at home to the online consultation, so that the advice fits local habits instead of being generic.

Work, study and the first weeks at home

Recovery time depends on the activity. Office work: after 2–4 weeks. Physical work: after 1.5 months. Bujumbura has many employers in trade, port services, administration and education, and the city also hosts a number of universities and schools. Staff and students can plan their absence around these periods.

If you work in an office or study at a university, you can usually go back after 2–4 weeks, depending on how you feel. If your job involves lifting, loading or long hours on your feet, as in port and market work, the return is later, after 1.5 months. Talk to your employer early and ask your surgeon for a written note if you need one.

Daily movement in Bujumbura often means taxis, minibuses known as Hiace, or motorcycle and bicycle taxis. In the first weeks, choose the calmest way to get around. Avoid crowded rides and jolting seats that put pressure on the abdomen, and do not carry heavy bags. A relative who can help with shopping and household tasks makes the early days much easier.

Sport, swimming and the lake

Bujumbura has an active sporting life. The Intwari stadium is the largest in the country, and there are many basketball and tennis courts as well as indoor and outdoor swimming pools. Many patients ask when they can return to these activities. Swimming is allowed after 30 days, and other exercise is gradually added as weight goes down.

The pools are a convenient way to restart movement, since water exercise is gentle on the joints at a higher body weight. Wait until the surgeon confirms that the wounds have healed, begin with easy sessions and listen to your body. For Lake Tanganyika and the beaches, apply the same rule and check with your surgeon about water quality and sun protection before swimming.

In the strong equatorial sun, cover the healing marks with light clothing and avoid direct exposure during the middle of the day. Football, tennis and basketball come back step by step. Start with walking, then light training, and increase the load only as your strength and weight allow. Do not rush to join a match with friends just because the wounds look small.

Online consultation from Bujumbura: how it works

The first step is a free online consultation. You write to a coordinator on WhatsApp or Telegram, and a coordinator will call you back 24/7. We work 24/7: booking is easy, the approach is personal and we adapt to your pace. You can send your height, weight, test results and the list of your medicines, and the surgeon reviews them.

The programme is organised from preparation to 12 months of support, all in one package. No added fees. After the operation there is follow-up support for 12 months, so that questions about diet, activity and how you feel are not left unanswered when you are back at home in Bujumbura.

Good mobile coverage helps, but a quiet moment and a stable connection are more important. Choose a time when you can talk calmly, perhaps with a spouse or a relative who will help you afterwards. Prepare your questions in writing, and ask the coordinator to repeat anything that is unclear.

From Usumbura to Bujumbura: a city that changed its name and its pace

Bujumbura grew from a small village after it became a military post in German East Africa in 1889. Under the Belgian mandate of Ruanda-Urundi it became the administrative centre, and it was called Usumbura until independence in 1962. Many older residents still remember the former name, and in conversation they often compare today's fast city with the quieter town of their youth.

That change of pace matters for health decisions. The city has grown quickly, and the projected growth of 5.75% between 2020 and 2025 places Bujumbura among the fastest growing cities of the continent. Busy lives, longer working days and more office and shop work leave less time for cooking at home and for regular exercise. People who think about sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass often describe exactly this shift, and it is worth telling the surgeon about it when you describe your weight history.

The historic centre keeps buildings from the Belgian period, with elements of Modernism and Art Deco. A slow walk along these streets in the cooler morning hours is a pleasant and realistic first form of exercise to plan for the weeks after the operation, once the surgeon allows it.

Neighbourhoods, from Rohero to Kamenge: planning the first days at home

Bujumbura is organised into communes and quarters, among them Rohero, Bwiza, Buyenzi, Ngagara, Kinindo, Musaga, Kamenge, Gihosha and Kanyosha. Life in each is different. Rohero around the centre has offices and shops. Buyenzi and Bwiza are known for dense street life and trading. Ngagara and Kamenge are large residential areas where several generations often live in one household.

Think about where your recovery will take place. In a busy household, agree in advance who will cook the soft and liquid meals required in the early stages, and who will keep sugary drinks and fried snacks out of sight. If you live in a quarter with narrow, uneven streets, plan your short daily walks on the calmest nearby roads and at cooler times of day.

Ask relatives from your own quarter to be your daily contact in the first week. A neighbour who can run to a nearby shop for water, a thermometer or the vitamins the surgeon prescribes is often more useful than any elaborate arrangement.

Markets, the port and the Rwagasore Avenue habit of buying fresh

The Port of Bujumbura is the largest on Lake Tanganyika, and most of Burundi's external trade passes through it. The Central Market along Rwagasore Avenue was badly damaged by a fire in January 2013, yet markets remain the heart of how the city buys food. Many families still choose vegetables, fish, beans and fruit on market days.

This is useful for the diet after surgery. Fresh fish from the lake, beans, eggs and well-cooked vegetables can fit a protein-focused eating plan, depending on the stage your surgeon sets. Bring a list of what you usually buy and ask the surgeon and dietitian to mark which items suit each stage, which should be avoided and how to prepare them without heavy frying.

Port and market workers carry loads all day. If this is your job, discuss it openly: physical work is possible after 1.5 months, and a colleague or relative may need to cover the heavier tasks until then.

Universities, schools and the working calendar

Bujumbura hosts the University of Burundi and many other universities and institutes, such as Hope Africa University, the Ecole Normale Supérieure and the Institut National de Santé Publique, as well as Belgian, French and British international schools. Academic life sets a clear calendar, and students, teachers and administrators can plan the operation around exams and holidays.

Office and study work are possible after 2–4 weeks. A lecturer or teacher who speaks for many hours should still ask the surgeon about voice rest, fluids and energy levels in the first days back. A student can ask the faculty for written permission and arrange to receive lecture notes from a classmate during the absence.

Parents with children in school can use the same logic: arrange school transport and homework help in advance, so that the first weeks of recovery are not spent running between tasks.

Football, basketball and the Intwari stadium crowd

The Intwari stadium is the country's largest, and football is followed passionately in the city. Basketball is also strong, and Bujumbura has produced national basketball players. Match days bring crowds, street food and long hours on one's feet, which is a very different setting from the calm of early recovery.

In the first weeks, watch matches from home. Crowded stands and fried snacks sold outside the ground are better avoided while you are learning the new eating pattern. When the surgeon allows exercise, start with walking and swimming, which is allowed after 30 days, and then add light training with friends as weight goes down.

Teammates and colleagues can become your support group. Telling them that you are changing your lifestyle makes it easier to refuse sugary drinks after a game.

Pregnancy, results and long-term follow-up

Many women and couples in the city ask about family plans. Getting pregnant after bariatric surgery is possible, but doctors advise waiting at least 12–18 months, so the body can stabilize, weight can reach target values and nutritional status can normalize. Discuss your plans with the surgeon before the operation, not afterwards.

Weight loss continues for a long time. The expected timing of the result is 18–24 months after surgery. During this period the body changes, and so do habits, clothing sizes and energy levels. Regular check-ups, blood tests and vitamin supplements as advised are part of the programme, not an optional extra.

Keep a simple diary of your weight, meals and activity. It helps you notice problems early and gives the doctors a clear picture during follow-up calls. Success depends not only on the operation but also on daily routines, sleep, movement and the support of family and friends around you.

Is the consultation really free for someone in Bujumbura?

Yes. The online consultation is free. You contact a coordinator on WhatsApp or Telegram, send basic information about your height, weight and health, and the surgeon reviews it with you. A coordinator will call you back 24/7.

Which operation is better, sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass?

Neither is better for everyone. The choice depends on your BMI, related conditions, eating habits and goals. The surgeon confirms whether surgery suits you at the consultation and explains which method is more appropriate in your case.

Who can have bariatric surgery?

Usually a BMI over 40, or over 35 with related health conditions. In some cases surgery is considered at lower values too, if non-surgical approaches have failed. The final decision is made by the surgeon after reviewing your data.

How long will I stay in hospital?

The hospital stay is 1–5 days, depending on the method and how you feel. Doctors supervise you in hospital after surgery, and the length of the stay depends on the complexity of the operation and your condition.

What anaesthesia is used and how big are the wounds?

The operation is done under general anaesthesia. It is performed laparoscopically through 4 small punctures of 5 to 15 mm. Cosmetic sutures are used, so after healing the marks are barely visible.

When can I go back to work in Bujumbura?

Office work is possible after 2–4 weeks. Physical work, such as loading or other heavy tasks, is possible after 1.5 months. Plan this with your employer in advance and follow your surgeon's advice.

When can I swim in the pool or the lake?

Swimming is allowed after 30 days. Other exercise is added gradually as weight goes down. Before using the lake or a public pool, check with the surgeon that the wounds have healed fully.

Does the warm climate change anything after the operation?

The heat of about 29 °C by day means light clothing, regular small sips of fluid and rest in the shade. During the wet season, from October to April, keep dressings dry. Follow the surgeon's instructions on fluids and wound care.

Can I get pregnant after the operation?

It is possible, but doctors advise waiting at least 12–18 months, so the body can stabilize, weight can reach target values and nutritional status can normalize. Discuss your plans with the surgeon first.

What support do I get after returning to normal life?

The programme runs from preparation to 12 months of support, all in one package, with no added fees. Follow-up support lasts 12 months, and coordinators answer questions on WhatsApp and Telegram around the clock.

Is the old name Usumbura still relevant to the city today?

It is the historical name used until independence in 1962, when the city became Bujumbura. For a patient it has no medical meaning, but it shows how long the city has been a centre of trade and administration, with a food and market culture that you can prepare for before the operation.

I live in a busy quarter such as Kamenge or Ngagara. How should I prepare at home?

Agree on a quiet room, a helper for meals and shopping, and short walks at cooler hours. Tell the household about your new eating stages. The coordinator can go through your home plan with you online, at any hour, on WhatsApp or Telegram.

Can I keep buying food at the market after surgery?

Yes. Fresh fish, eggs, beans and well-cooked vegetables can fit the diet when the surgeon agrees for your stage. Avoid sugary drinks and fried snacks. Bring your usual shopping list to the consultation so the advice matches local food.

Can I go to a football match soon after the operation?

Wait until you feel strong and the surgeon agrees. Office work is possible after 2–4 weeks, swimming after 30 days, and other exercise is added gradually. Crowds and street snacks make the first weeks a poor time for stadium visits.