Bariatric Surgery in Dortmund: Methods and Results

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.

The bariatric operations at our clinic are done 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.

Send us a message to have our coordinator contact you shortly and book your consultation; the bariatric surgeon consultation costs nothing.

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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 principal gauge of how advanced obesity is, found by dividing body weight (kg) by height squared (m²). Typically, a BMI above 40 — or above 35 with serious related conditions — justifies surgery. Some patients with lower values are considered for surgery too, if non-surgical options have failed.

These two are frequently confused, although their goals differ at the core. Bariatric surgery is a medical treatment of obesity and related diseases that changes the workings of the digestive tract, targeting the causes of excess weight and metabolism. Plastic surgery corrects outer body contours; it does not treat obesity or change metabolism.

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

The operation uses modern laparoscopic technique, through 4 small punctures of 5 to 15 mm. We place cosmetic sutures, and after healing the marks become almost invisible.

Recovery depends on your activity. Office work: after 2–4 weeks. Physical work: after 1.5 months. Sport and activity: swimming allowed after 30 days, other exercise added step by step as weight drops. Travel and holidays: plan them no earlier than a month after surgery.

You move through diet stages from liquid food to soft and finally solid. Protein comes first, and high-calorie, fatty food is restricted.

Pregnancy after bariatric surgery is possible, though doctors recommend waiting at least 12–18 months. In that time the body stabilizes, weight reaches its target and nutritional status returns to normal.

Yes, vitamins after bariatric surgery are a must. Because the digestive anatomy changes, the body absorbs some nutrients less well, so regular vitamin and mineral supplements become a permanent part of the patient's life.

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.