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Bariatric surgery

Surgical Treatment of Obesity in Lubumbashi

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 care and support
at each step. We discuss your surgery and recovery plan for free — before you choose.

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Free online consultation · Reply within 15 minutes

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Results

Real weight loss outcomes of clinic patients

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

Our clinic focuses on two operations, the sleeve gastrectomy and the gastric bypass. Look at the mechanism, the aim and the indications of each before you confidently choose.

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
Indications
Obesity without marked reflux
Anaesthesia, length of 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
Indications
Obesity, diabetes or reflux
Anaesthesia, length of stay
General anaesthesia, hospital stay of 1–3 to 4–5 days

Treat the recovery times and benefits here as guidance averaged by method: how extensive the surgery is and how you recover depend on your own anatomy and features, and the surgeon confirms this at the consultation.

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Our clinic

A clinic where you feel comfortable

Each patient gets care, comfortable rooms and modern equipment

A doctor and a patient in a clinic ward

Choose how you would like to contact us

We answer your questions and pick a convenient consultation time

Get a consultation

Not every patient is a candidate for bariatric surgery

Only after a consultation and check-up is the decision on surgery made, jointly with the surgeon.

SuitableBariatric surgery addresses

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

Not certain which side you are on?

Contact us on Telegram, and our coordinator will say whether bariatric surgery is suitable for you. You pay nothing for the surgeon consultation and are not committed 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

Weight loss and a new route for food

A surgeon during a gastric bypass

$4,000$5,200

Lock in the price

Free

First consultation

Surgeon's examination and a treatment plan

First consultation

Free

the surgery price is set
and written into the contract

Book a consultation

Find out your method and the cost of surgery

The doctor checks your health, goes over your goals and chooses a suitable bariatric surgery method. The cost is stated at the consultation and fixed in the contract.

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

Message our coordinator

Free online consultation · Reply within 15 minutes

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A bariatric surgeon discusses a treatment plan with a patient

price

What the $3,600 (≈ CDF 8,400,000) price includes

One package includes preparation and 12 months of support. There are no extra charges.Starting with preparation for surgery
and ending with support for 12 months.

  • Surgery and the surgeon's work
  • General anaesthesia
  • Staying in hospital after the operation
  • A slimmer, healthier body
  • Meals at the clinic
  • Support while you keep the weight off
  • A personal coordinator from day one
  • Remote progress check by photos

$3,600$4,800

Discounted price

Lock in the price

Step by step

Treatment at the clinic —
from check-in to discharge

Support for a year, hospital monitoring and a treatment plan agreed in advance.

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

Consultation and a treatment plan

Assessing your health and discussing your goals, the doctor orders the tests needed to select the appropriate bariatric method.

Booking the surgery date2

Booking the surgery date

We secure a date for your surgery: you can pay the deposit by card at the clinic or by bank transfer online. The terms are fixed in the medical services contract

A blood sample tube for tests before bariatric surgery3

Pre-operative tests

At the consultation the doctor gives you the exact list of pre-surgery checks: blood and urine tests, an ECG, an ultrasound, a gastroscopy and visits to specialists.

Surgeons performing a bariatric operation4

Surgery

Using the chosen method, the surgeon performs the bariatric surgery under general anaesthesia. Once it is over, the medical team monitors the patient.

A hospital ward at the clinic5

Inpatient stay

After surgery you stay in hospital under doctors' supervision. The stay lasts from 1–3 to 4–5 days, depending on the complexity of the operation and how you feel.

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.

Your plan is drawn up at the consultation, where the doctor explains how the surgery will go

A surgeon shows a patient the result forecast on a tablet

The consultation is free of charge, comes before surgery and obliges you to nothing.

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

Doctors

Trusted surgeons

Bariatric surgeon Andrey G. Ugay

Andrey G. Ugay

View profile

27 years of experience

Chief 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 who operates on you also follows you, from the first consultation to the result.

Your first step is a consultation with our patient care manager: BMI calculation, an explanation of the methods and booking with the surgeon. Free of charge.

Book a consultation

Coordinators

Clinic coordinators

We support you at every stage

Your personal coordinator

Your first point of contact at the clinic, from your first message to the consultation

Specialist in patient care

Ahead of your first consultation, answers questions and helps you choose a convenient date

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

With you before and during your stay — from booking to discharge

Specialist in patient care

Helps you get ready for surgery and keeps in touch while you stay 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

Specialist in patient care

Keeps in touch during recovery and books your follow-up visits 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

Each stage is tailored to you

We select the most suitable method for your health, lifestyle and goals. Our team supports you all the way.

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

Long-term
post-operative support

We help you adapt to new eating habits, track your results and keep them.

A patient at the clinic

Lasting, real results

Better well-being, steady weight loss and a higher quality of life.

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

Your schedule matters most to us

We work 24/7 out of respect for your time, with easy booking and a personal approach — we adapt to your pace.

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

Fixed prices

You get a clear price after the consultation, when the surgeon chooses the method: no hidden fees and no surprises along the way to your result.

Prices

Prices for bariatric surgery

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

  • Bariatric consultation with the 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 what people ask
before booking

Bariatric Surgery in Lubumbashi: price and what is included

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

How much does bariatric surgery in Lubumbashi cost?

Prices start from $3,600 (≈ CDF 8,400,000). 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

About weight loss surgery for patients from Lubumbashi

All bariatric operations here are laparoscopic, performed through four small punctures of 5 to 15 mm with cosmetic sutures, so the marks become almost invisible after healing. This greatly shortens recovery. For those from Lubumbashi, the choice between sleeve, classic bypass, mini bypass and SADI-S depends on BMI, related diseases and the result you want to reach.

Recovery is short thanks to the minimally invasive technique, and absorbable sutures dissolve on their own. Office work is usually resumed after 2–4 weeks and physical work after about 1.5 months; swimming is allowed after 30 days, with other exercise added gradually. For the first weeks, no sauna or intense training. Lubumbashi residents get the same step-by-step guidance from the team.

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 Lubumbashi 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: .

Lubumbashi and the decision to have bariatric surgery

Lubumbashi is the second-largest city in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the capital of Haut-Katanga Province. It lies in the far south-east of the country, near the border with Zambia. The population of the urban area is estimated at around 2,584,000 in 2021. It is a large, busy city, and many residents work long days in mining, trade, industry and services. For people in this setting, deciding on weight-loss surgery usually comes after years of diets, short-lived results and growing worry about health.

Sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass are the two operations most often discussed with patients. Both are performed with modern laparoscopic technique. The operation is done through 4 small punctures of 5 to 15 mm, and cosmetic sutures are used, so after healing the marks are barely visible. Residents of Lubumbashi often ask whether the operation can fit around a demanding job and a large family. The answer starts with a personal assessment: the surgeon looks at your weight, your related conditions, your eating habits and your support at home.

The City Medical Centre works with patients from Lubumbashi through a free online consultation. Coordinators are available 24/7 on WhatsApp and Telegram. You do not have to rearrange your working week for a first conversation. You can send questions in the evening after work or at the weekend, and a coordinator will call you back 24/7.

Who is a candidate and who is not

Candidacy is judged mainly by body mass index. BMI is the main tool for assessing the degree of obesity. It is calculated by dividing body weight in kilograms by height in metres squared. 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 at the consultation whether surgery suits you.

The World Health Organization describes obesity and overweight as a long-term health problem linked to many chronic diseases. That matches what patients in Lubumbashi say about their own lives: tiredness, joint pain, breathing difficulty on stairs, raised blood pressure or blood sugar. If you recognise some of this, collect your recent test results and any notes from your family doctor before the online consultation. They help the surgeon form a clear picture.

General contraindications are discussed individually. They can include serious uncontrolled illness, conditions that make general anaesthesia unsafe, active substance dependence or an unstable psychological state that would prevent following the diet. Pregnancy is also a reason to wait. The surgeon decides this after reviewing your history, and the decision is never made on weight alone. If surgery is not suitable now, you will be told what can be done first.

Climate of Lubumbashi and recovery

Lubumbashi lies at around 1,208 m above sea level. The altitude cools a climate that would otherwise be very hot. The city has a dry-winter humid subtropical climate, with warm rainy summers and pleasant, dry winters. Most rain falls in summer and early autumn, and the annual average is 1,238 mm. This pattern affects planning more than the operation itself.

In the warm rainy months, humidity and heat can make the first weeks feel heavier. Wear loose, breathable clothing that does not rub on the healing puncture areas. Stay in the shade, avoid long periods in a hot closed car and keep your drinking routine steady in small sips, as the surgeon advises. Rain also means wet roads and crowded transport, so plan how you will move around the city when you feel tired.

The dry winter is gentler. Cooler, drier days are comfortable for short walks, which help recovery. Dust can be a nuisance on dry days, so keep the wound areas clean and covered as instructed and do not touch them with dusty hands. Whatever the season, the weather should not decide the date alone. Your health, your work calendar and the surgeon's availability matter more, and the coordinator can help you weigh them.

Choosing the season for the operation

Patients from Lubumbashi often ask which month is best. There is no single answer. The dry winter is pleasant for early recovery, because mild days make short walks easy and heat does not add to fatigue. The rainy season is also possible if you prepare: arrange help at home, keep medicines and permitted food supplies in stock, and avoid important commitments in the first weeks.

Think about your own year. If you work in mining administration, trade or industry, ask which months bring audits, shipments or peak orders. Students at the University of Lubumbashi, the Protestant University or the Graduate Institute of Health Sciences may prefer to schedule around exams. Teachers at the Belgian, French and British schools in the city can look at school holidays. The aim is to leave enough room for the hospital stay of 1–5 days and for return to office work after 2–4 weeks.

Do not postpone only because the moment never feels perfect. A busy city always has a busy season. What matters is a realistic plan that you and your family agree on in advance, with a coordinator available at any hour if the plan changes.

Work, study and daily routine after surgery

Recovery time depends on the activity. Office work is possible after 2–4 weeks. Physical work is possible after 1.5 months. Lubumbashi is a centre of mining and heavy industry, and it also has textiles, food products, beverages, printing and brick manufacturing. A bank employee, a teacher or an administrator can usually return to the desk earlier than someone who lifts loads or works on a production line. Tell the surgeon exactly what your day involves.

If your job is physical, talk to your employer early about lighter tasks at the start. If you work in an office, plan a gradual return: shorter days at first, regular breaks to walk and drink, and meals taken at set times rather than at the desk in a hurry. Meetings with long lunches are a particular challenge in the first period, so prepare a polite way to explain that your portions are now small.

Students can follow the same logic. Reading and written work are possible once you feel well, but late-night study with sugary drinks and snacks works against the new eating pattern. Ask the surgeon and the dietitian for a simple daily schedule, and share it with family so that everyone at home understands your routine.

Food culture, family events and the new eating pattern

Food is social in Lubumbashi. Family gatherings, celebrations and meals with colleagues are central to life, and the city's food and beverage industry, including the well-known Tembo beer brewed by Simba, is part of the local picture. After sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass, the stomach holds much less, so the way you eat changes more than what is on the table. Small portions, slow chewing, adequate protein and sufficient fluids become the basis of the day.

Before surgery, speak openly with your family. Explain that you will eat small amounts and may decline second helpings, and that this is a medical decision and not a rejection of hospitality. Ask relatives not to press food on you. For weddings, funerals and holiday meals, plan ahead: eat slowly, choose what the dietitian allows, stop at the first feeling of fullness and keep sweet and fizzy drinks to a minimum. Alcohol should be discussed with the surgeon, as it is often restricted.

Support lasts after discharge. The package runs from preparation to follow-up support for 12 months, all in one package with no added fees. During this time you can ask your coordinator about everyday situations such as a family party, a work lunch or a market purchase, and get an answer without waiting for a scheduled visit.

Hospital stay, anaesthesia and the first weeks

The operation is performed under general anaesthesia. The hospital stay is 1–5 days, depending on the method and how you feel. Doctors supervise you in hospital after surgery, and the stay may be shorter or longer depending on the complexity of the operation and your condition. You will be under observation for 1–5 days before discharge.

The first weeks at home in Lubumbashi should be quiet. Walk a little several times a day, take medicines and fluids as instructed, and avoid lifting heavy objects. Watch the puncture areas, which are small, and report any redness, swelling or discharge to the coordinator at once. Heat and humidity in the rainy season may make you feel more tired, so rest in a cool room and keep a bottle of water within reach.

Swimming is allowed after 30 days. Other exercise is added gradually as weight goes down. This matters in a city where friends meet for football, walks in the botanical garden or active weekends. Return to sport slowly, begin with walking, and ask the surgeon before returning to intense training or contact games.

Results, pregnancy and long-term follow-up

Weight loss continues for many months. The timing of the result is 18–24 months after surgery, when the weight settles at its new level. During this period, how you eat, move and attend follow-up matters as much as the operation. Weight can go down fast at first, and patients in Lubumbashi sometimes feel that they should hurry their activity. It is better to let the body adapt in stages.

For women planning a family, 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 contraception and timing with the surgeon before the operation, not after it.

Follow-up support continues for 12 months. Keep your blood test results and your notes in one folder, and bring them to every online contact. If you later see a local doctor in Lubumbashi for another health issue, tell them that you had bariatric surgery so that they can choose medicines and diet advice accordingly.

From Élisabethville to Lubumbashi: a city built around work

Lubumbashi began in 1910 as Élisabethville, named in honour of Queen Elisabeth, consort of King Albert I of the Belgians. The location was chosen because of the nearby copper mine of Etoile du Congo and the copper smelting oven on the Lubumbashi River. In 1966 the city received the name Lubumbashi. A place founded around mining and shift work has a long habit of putting work before health, and many families still plan their week around the working day.

For a patient thinking about sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass, this history is useful because it explains a common attitude: a person keeps going until the body forces a stop. The city's older residents often remember colleagues with high blood pressure or diabetes who never took time off. Deciding to plan an operation in advance, with a clear date, a return to work after 2–4 weeks for office tasks and a follow-up programme of 12 months, is the opposite of that habit and a sound one.

Write down your own work pattern before the online consultation: shifts, early starts, days with heavy lifting, days at a desk. The surgeon can then match the recovery plan to your real schedule instead of a general one.

Kamalondo, Kenia, Katuba and Ruashi: planning recovery by neighbourhood

The city grew in separate quarters. The old cité indigène called Quartier Albert is now Kamalondo, and later quarters such as Kenia, Katuba and Ruashi became the main suburbs of present-day Lubumbashi. Daily life differs between them: some residents live close to markets and workplaces, others spend a long part of the day moving between home and work.

This matters for the first weeks after surgery. If you live in a suburb far from where you work, you may decide to return to the office only when you can manage a full day, which for desk work is after 2–4 weeks. If your home is busy with children and visitors, ask a relative to take over cooking and shopping at the start so that you can rest and walk in short stretches near the house.

Ask your coordinator to include the distance between your home and your usual medical centre in the plan. Should you need a local check of a wound or a blood test during the 12 months of follow-up, it is easier when you know in advance where you will go.

Markets, market gardening and what goes into your basket

Lubumbashi has a tradition of market gardening, and fresh produce from the surroundings reaches households across the city. This is an advantage for a patient who must build a new diet. After the operation the stomach holds far less, so each small meal has to count: protein first, then vegetables, with sugary and fizzy products kept to a minimum.

Before surgery, take a practical step: go through your usual market list with the dietitian. Mark what you can keep, what you must reduce and what to add. Many local dishes are built around starchy staples and sauces; the portion and the order in which you eat the parts of the plate matter more than the name of the dish.

Bring a relative to this conversation, particularly the person who cooks. A household that understands why your plate is small supports you better than one that only hears about it afterwards.

Football, basketball and returning to movement

Football is the most popular sport in Lubumbashi. The city is home to top national clubs such as FC Saint Eloi Lupopo, CS Don Bosco and TP Mazembe, and matches shape many weekends, including screenings of big games at the cinema. Basketball also has local pride, as players such as Bismack Biyombo, Myck Kabongo and Oscar Tshiebwe come from the city.

For a patient, sport is both a motivation and a risk of going too fast. Swimming is allowed after 30 days, and other exercise is added gradually as weight goes down. Start with walking, then light movement, and leave football with contact or basketball games until the surgeon agrees. Watching a match with friends is fine early on; just plan your snacks, because stadium and street food is rarely suited to the first weeks.

As your weight falls, many people find it easier to join a neighbourhood team or a friendly game again. Keep a simple log of your activity and share it during follow-up so that the surgeon can adjust advice.

Study and work centres: universities, schools and the mining sector

Lubumbashi is a centre of education. The University of Lubumbashi, founded in 1955, is the largest institution of higher education, and the city also has the Protestant University of Lubumbashi and the Graduate Institute of Health Sciences. Several schools follow Belgian, French and British programmes. Many households therefore have students or teachers, whose calendars are fixed and predictable.

Mining is the other pillar: the city is the mining capital of the country and a base for many large mining companies, with copper and cobalt among the main products, and it hosts the headquarters of a major bank. Office, laboratory and administrative staff can usually plan a return to work after 2–4 weeks, while field and physical work needs about 1.5 months.

Bring your employer into the plan early. A short letter from the surgeon about the hospital stay of 1–5 days and about light duties afterwards is easier to arrange when requested before the operation, not during recovery.

How the online consultation works from Lubumbashi

The first step is free and takes place online. Write to a coordinator on WhatsApp or Telegram, at any time, because coordinators work 24/7. Booking is easy, the approach is personal and the plan adapts to your pace. A coordinator will call you back 24/7, so you can choose a moment that suits your workday or school timetable.

Prepare height, weight, a list of illnesses and medicines, and recent test results if you have them. The surgeon uses these to estimate your BMI and to discuss which operation, sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass, may suit you. Questions to ask include: which method fits my conditions, what is the expected hospital stay, how will my medicines change, what should I eat in the first weeks, and when can I return to my job.

After the consultation you decide without pressure. The package covers everything from preparation to 12 months of support, all in one package with no added fees. If you choose to proceed, the coordinator explains each step in order. If you prefer to wait, you can come back with new questions whenever you are ready.

Is the online consultation really free for residents of Lubumbashi?

Yes. The first online consultation is free. You write to a coordinator on WhatsApp or Telegram, and the coordinators are available 24/7. A coordinator will call you back 24/7.

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 surgeon confirms whether surgery suits you at the consultation.

How do I calculate my BMI?

Divide your body weight in kilograms by your height in metres squared. This gives the BMI, which is the main tool for assessing the degree of obesity.

What is the difference between sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass?

Both are performed laparoscopically through 4 small punctures of 5 to 15 mm. The surgeon explains at the consultation which method is better for your weight, conditions and eating habits.

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 after surgery, and the operation is done under general anaesthesia.

When can I go back to work?

Office work is possible after 2–4 weeks. Physical work is possible after 1.5 months. In a city of mining and industry like Lubumbashi, tell the surgeon exactly what your job involves.

Can I swim or exercise after the operation?

Swimming is allowed after 30 days. Other exercise is added gradually as weight goes down. Ask the surgeon before returning to intense sport.

Will the scars be visible?

The punctures are small and cosmetic sutures are used, so after healing the marks are barely visible.

Can I become pregnant after surgery?

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.

Does the heat or the rainy season of Lubumbashi matter?

The climate does not prevent surgery, but it affects comfort. Wear loose clothing, keep the puncture areas clean and dry, stay hydrated and plan rest during the warm rainy months. The dry winter is milder for early recovery.

Does the history or size of Lubumbashi change how I prepare for surgery?

Not the operation itself, but it shapes the plan. In a city built around mining and industry, many people have fixed work patterns, so it helps to tell the surgeon your shifts and duties and to arrange leave in advance.

I live in a suburb such as Ruashi or Katuba. Can I still use the online consultation?

Yes. The consultation is online and free, and coordinators are available 24/7 on WhatsApp and Telegram, so your neighbourhood does not matter. A coordinator will call you back 24/7.

Can I keep watching football matches with friends after the operation?

Yes, as a spectator from the first weeks if you feel well. Plan what you will eat and drink, because snacks and fizzy drinks are rarely suitable. Playing is added gradually, and swimming is allowed after 30 days.

How should I explain the operation to my employer in Lubumbashi?

Say that you have a planned medical procedure with a hospital stay of 1–5 days. Office work is possible after 2–4 weeks and physical work after 1.5 months, so ask for light duties at the start.