Bariatric Surgery in Edmonton: Methods and Results

At the clinic, bariatric operations are carried out 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.

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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
• Past attempts to shed weight in conventional ways were unsuccessful

Doctors assess obesity chiefly through BMI: take body weight (kg) and divide it by height squared (m²). Surgical treatment is usually justified at a BMI over 40, or over 35 with serious related conditions. Surgery may also be considered at lower values in some cases — where non-surgical approaches 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 types of bariatric surgery are performed at City Medical Centre: sleeve gastrectomy, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, mini gastric bypass (MGB) and SADI-S duodeno-ileal bypass. Each is selected individually based on BMI, related conditions and patient 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.

How soon you recover depends on what you do. Office work: 2–4 weeks later. Physical work: 1.5 months later. Sport and activity: swimming from day 30, other exercise brought in gradually as weight falls. Travel and holidays: ideally not sooner than a month after surgery.

Your meals progress in stages: liquid food, soft food, then solid. The stress is on protein and on reducing high-calorie, fatty food.

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 can be regained after bariatric surgery, but this is very unlikely with the doctor's advice followed. Proper nutrition, avoiding high-calorie drinks and regular follow-up with City Medical Centre specialists are crucial.