guarantee
Obesity Surgery in Edinburgh: Bariatric Methods
for good —
14,000 CMC patients already live in a different body. The result is stated in an official contract — in law, not just in talk.
patients
experience
from excess weight
rating
Obesity Surgery in Edinburgh: Bariatric Methods
for good —
Everything for the result — included
Bariatric surgery —
is it right for me?
Tick the situations that sound familiar.
From 2 matches — a reason to talk to a surgeon.
Everything needed for the result —
already included
No concealed charges or surprises. The whole journey, one package.
Bariatric surgery —
is it right for me?
Tick the situations that sound familiar.
From 2 matches — a reason to talk to a surgeon.
Reasons to see a surgeon
A high BMI is not the only reason to see a surgeon — related conditions count too
Medical history
Excess weight since childhood or a genetic predisposition
Metabolic disorders
Type 2 diabetes and hypertension associated with obesity
Resistance to conservative treatment
Diets and medication tried for years, with no lasting effect.
Medical history
Excess weight since childhood or a genetic predisposition
Metabolic disorders
Type 2 diabetes and hypertension associated with obesity
Resistance to conservative treatment
Diets and medication tried for years, with no lasting effect.
When is bariatric surgery justified?
Surgery is prescribed only when clear criteria are met
The role of body mass index (BMI)
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.
Key factors
- The patient's body mass index (BMI)
- Overall health and any related chronic conditions
- Failure of previous attempts to lose weight by conventional means
Why don't diets and exercise work for everyone?
Many spend years on diets and exercise, and the body fights them all the way: metabolism slows, appetite grows, the lost kilos come back. As soon as it is clear that medication and diet changes alone cannot fundamentally improve the situation, bariatric surgery is the only effective way out.
Key factors
- The patient's body mass index (BMI)
- Overall health and any related chronic conditions
- Failure of previous attempts to lose weight by conventional means
The role of body mass index (BMI)
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.
Why don't diets and exercise work for everyone?
Many spend years on diets and exercise, and the body fights them all the way: metabolism slows, appetite grows, the lost kilos come back. As soon as it is clear that medication and diet changes alone cannot fundamentally improve the situation, bariatric surgery is the only effective way out.
Medical indications
for bariatric surgery
With chronic diseases, please get advice from a clinic doctor!
Indications
Excess weight
Type 2 diabetes
Hypertension
Sleep apnea
Joint disease
Varicose veins
Fatty liver disease
Reproductive health problems
Contraindications
Age under 18
Malignant tumors
Less than six months since breastfeeding ended
Acute illness or flare-ups of chronic disease
Severe chronic and mental illness
Blood clotting disorders
Pregnancy
Bariatric surgery methods at City Medical Centre
Sleeve gastrectomy
During the procedure the surgeon removes the greater part of the stomach, forming a narrow tube. Portions get far smaller and ghrelin, the hunger hormone, decreases, so the patient is satisfied faster and eats less.
Effectiveness: fits patients with a BMI of 35 to 45. They lose 60–70% of excess weight on average.
Specifics: the outcome lasts less reliably than after bypass. Weight can come back if the diet is neglected, above all with high-calorie drinks and liquid food.
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass
The surgeon forms a small 50–70 ml pouch at the top of the stomach and joins it straight to the small intestine. This restricts food intake and cuts calorie absorption by shortening the route food takes through the gut.
Effectiveness: this operation is seen as the “gold standard” with a BMI above 45–50 and type 2 diabetes. Excess weight falls by up to 75–85%.
Specifics: outcomes are more durable than with other bariatric procedures. Diabetes, hypertension and other related conditions often go into remission. With the digestive anatomy changed, lifelong vitamin and mineral supplements are a must.
Mini gastric bypass (MGB)
This procedure improves on the classic bypass. Instead of the standard approach, the surgeon creates a single connection (anastomosis) between the small stomach and the small intestine. A simpler technique means an easier experience for the patient and a shorter recovery.
Effectiveness: on par with the classic Roux-en-Y bypass — patients shed up to 75–80% of excess weight.
Specifics: shorter surgery and faster recovery. The procedure is technically reversible, but there is a risk of bile reflux due to the single anastomosis.
Single anastomosis duodeno-ileal bypass (SADI-S)
SADI-S, a modern combined technique, pairs the benefits of sleeve gastrectomy and intestinal bypass. It is carried out in two stages: the stomach is reshaped into a narrow tube, after which the small intestine is rerouted so most of it is bypassed in active digestion.
Effectiveness: one of the most powerful bariatric operations — excess weight loss reaches 80–90% with a long-lasting result.
Specifics: with the ghrelin-producing zone removed, the smaller stomach reduces appetite; redirecting food past part of the intestine limits calorie uptake. Used for super obesity (BMI over 50), severe type 2 diabetes, or as a second stage when a sleeve was ineffective.
Book a consultation
Call or message us -
our coordinator will contact you shortly
and book your consultation
Book a consultation
Call or message us -
our coordinator will contact you shortly
and book your consultation
Preparing for bariatric surgery at City Medical Centre
Everything begins with a surgeon's consultation: medical history, method choice and a recovery plan
Lab tests
Biochemistry, HbA1c, complete blood count, urinalysis and a coagulation panel (clotting test).
Instrumental diagnostics
Chest X-ray and ECG, abdominal and renal ultrasound, Doppler of leg veins.
Endoscopy
Gastroscopy (required) and colonoscopy (if indicated).
Specialists
GP, cardiologist, endocrinologist, psychiatrist, and a gynecologist for women.
Diet
Cut back on fast carbs and fats 2–4 weeks before surgery, and eat light the day before.
Lifestyle
From a month before: no smoking, less physical activity, no stress.
The day before
Evening meal is light and the last; fluids end 3–4 hours before surgery.
Lab tests
Biochemistry, HbA1c, complete blood count, urinalysis and a coagulation panel (clotting test).
Instrumental diagnostics
Chest X-ray and ECG, abdominal and renal ultrasound, Doppler of leg veins.
Endoscopy
Gastroscopy (required) and colonoscopy (if indicated).
Specialists
GP, cardiologist, endocrinologist, psychiatrist, and a gynecologist for women.
Diet
Cut back on fast carbs and fats 2–4 weeks before surgery, and eat light the day before.
Lifestyle
From a month before: no smoking, less physical activity, no stress.
The day before
Evening meal is light and the last; fluids end 3–4 hours before surgery.
Our specialists
Experienced bariatric surgeons devoted to their patients' health
Ruslan S. Menzulin
Bariatric surgeon · surgical oncologist
Studied at Mercy clinic under Vadim Gushchin and gave a talk at the World Congress of bariatric surgery in 2025. Co-author of international research published in The Lancet.
Andrey G. Ugay
Lead bariatric surgeon · surgeon
Has done more SASJ operations than anyone else in the country. Sits on the expert council of the national Society of Bariatric Surgeons and regularly speaks at national and international congresses.
City Medical Centre bariatric surgery centre
— your path
to confidence and harmony
City Medical Centre treats obesity comprehensively. Following the first examination, every patient receives a personal diagnostic program (lab and instrumental) to detect every disorder in the body.
A method matched to your goal
Our doctors select the surgical method for each patient individually. Before deciding, they assess your health, weight history and related conditions to suggest the most suitable surgical treatment.
Support that stays in touch
The City Medical Centre team keeps supporting you after the operation. All through the first year, specialists track how your weight drops, check your tests and handle every question on diet and recovery.
Fast recovery
Laparoscopic bariatric operations at City Medical Centre make recovery far shorter. Most patients are moving on day one and resume their normal life within a week.
Full diagnostics on site
You don't have to go clinic to clinic. Our centre has everything needed for your work-up — own lab, ultrasound, gastroscopy. Fast preparation, no queues, one building.
Recovery after bariatric surgery
Recovery varies from person to person, but minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques make rehabilitation as short as it can be.
Duration
Depending on the extent of surgery and related conditions, the patient is observed at the clinic for 1 to 5 days.
Activity
You are permitted to sit up, stand and drink fluids in the first hours after surgery.
Wound care
Absorbable sutures are used; they dissolve on their own.
Work
You can go back to work 7–14 days after surgery, depending on how physical the job is.
Restrictions
For the first few weeks, skip the bathhouse, sauna and intense exercise.
Diet
You follow a staged diet for 1–2 months, going from liquid to solid food as the stomach adapts.
Pace
Average monthly loss is 10% of excess weight for patients following the specialists' advice.
Stabilization
Full results are reached in 1.5–2 years. By then, stable eating habits are in place that prevent the weight from coming back.
Important! City Medical Centre specialists keep recovery under supervision and give psychological and medical support at every stage of losing weight.
Duration
Depending on the extent of surgery and related conditions, the patient is observed at the clinic for 1 to 5 days.
Activity
You are permitted to sit up, stand and drink fluids in the first hours after surgery.
Wound care
Absorbable sutures are used; they dissolve on their own.
Work
You can go back to work 7–14 days after surgery, depending on how physical the job is.
Restrictions
For the first few weeks, skip the bathhouse, sauna and intense exercise.
Diet
You follow a staged diet for 1–2 months, going from liquid to solid food as the stomach adapts.
Pace
Average monthly loss is 10% of excess weight for patients following the specialists' advice.
Stabilization
Full results are reached in 1.5–2 years. By then, stable eating habits are in place that prevent the weight from coming back.
Important! City Medical Centre specialists keep recovery under supervision and give psychological and medical support at every stage of losing weight.
Book a consultation
Call or message us -
our coordinator will contact you shortly
and book your consultation
Book a consultation
Call or message us -
our coordinator will contact you shortly
and book your consultation
Frequently asked questions
about bariatric surgery at CMC
Bariatric vs plastic surgery: what's the difference?
Many people confuse them, but the goals are fundamentally different. Bariatric surgery is a medical way to treat obesity and related diseases. It changes how the digestive tract works, getting at the causes of excess weight and metabolism. Plastic surgery only reshapes the body's outer contours; it does not treat obesity or affect metabolism.
How soon can I return to work and normal life?
Will there be visible scars?
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.
What diet do I need to follow?
In stages, your diet goes from liquid to soft to solid food. The main focus is protein and restricting high-calorie, fatty food.
What types of bariatric surgery are there?
City Medical Centre carries out four main types of bariatric surgery: sleeve gastrectomy, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, mini gastric bypass (MGB) and SADI-S duodeno-ileal bypass. The choice of method is individual, based on BMI, related conditions and the patient's goals.
Can I plan a pregnancy after surgery?
It is possible to get pregnant after bariatric surgery, but doctors recommend a minimum wait of 12–18 months. During it the body stabilizes, weight reaches its target and nutritional status is normalized.
Do I need to take vitamins after surgery?
Yes, bariatric surgery makes vitamins a must. Since digestive anatomy is changed, absorption of some nutrients drops, and regular vitamin and mineral supplements become permanent in the patient's life.
Can the weight come back?
Weight regain after bariatric surgery is possible, but very unlikely if you follow the doctor's advice. Proper nutrition, avoiding high-calorie drinks and regular follow-up with City Medical Centre specialists are key.
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Everything about bariatric surgery for Edinburgh patients
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass creates a small 50–70 ml pouch at the top of the stomach and connects it straight to the small intestine. It is considered the gold standard for a BMI over 45–50 with type 2 diabetes, bringing excess weight loss of 75–85%. Anyone researching bypass in Edinburgh should know that it requires lifelong vitamin and mineral supplements.
The final result is reached in 1.5–2 years. Throughout the first year the team tracks weight loss, monitors tests and answers questions about diet and recovery, providing psychological and medical support at every stage. For patients in Edinburgh, regular follow-up with specialists and avoiding high-calorie drinks are the keys to keeping the result for good.
If you are comparing bariatric surgery options in Edinburgh, look beyond the operation itself. Here the package bundles the work-up in the centre's own lab, laparoscopic surgery, the stay with meals and nursing, a doctor on hand 24/7 and a year of follow-up. Apply for a free surgeon consultation to see how this applies to your case.
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