Obesity Surgery in Mexico City: Bariatric Methods

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.

Bariatric operations here 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
• Unsuccessful past attempts at weight loss by traditional means

BMI is the key measure used to assess how severe obesity is. You get it by dividing body weight (kg) by height squared (m²). Surgery is generally justified at a BMI above 40, or above 35 when serious related conditions are present. Sometimes it is also considered at lower values — when non-surgical methods have not worked.

The two are often confused, yet their goals differ fundamentally. Bariatric surgery is a medical treatment for obesity and its related diseases. It alters how the digestive tract works, tackling the causes of excess weight and metabolism. Plastic surgery changes the body's outer contours; it neither treats obesity nor affects 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 allows the operation through 4 small punctures of 5 to 15 mm. Cosmetic sutures make the marks almost invisible when fully healed.

Recovery time depends on the activity. Office work: after 2–4 weeks. Physical work: after 1.5 months. Sport and activity: swimming allowed after 30 days, other exercise gradually added as weight goes down. Travel and holidays: plan no sooner than one 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 is possible after bariatric surgery; doctors advise waiting no less than 12–18 months. This gives the body time to stabilize, for weight to reach target values and nutritional status to normalize.

Yes, after bariatric surgery vitamins are a must. The altered digestive anatomy reduces absorption of some nutrients, which makes regular vitamin and mineral supplements a permanent part of the patient's life.

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.