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Bariatric surgery

Gastric Sleeve and Bypass in Munster

Discounted price

$3,600

$4,800 · First consultation — Free

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Free online consultation · Reply within 15 minutes

Real result
Bariatric surgery: a patient before surgery and after weight loss before after
Weight loss with support and guidance
all along. Your surgery and recovery plan is discussed at no cost — before deciding.

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Bariatric surgery (weight loss surgery) in Munster: price and key facts

Bariatric surgery for patients from Munster at City Medical Centre starts at €3,250 (from $3,600). The first online consultation is free; the doctor names the final price and it is fixed in the contract.

Price
€3,250 (from $3,600)
Performed by
Andrey G. Ugay, lead bariatric surgeon
Stay
1–5 days under observation
Recovery
back to work after 2–4 weeks
Final result
18–24 months after surgery
How it works
Send photos on WhatsApp or Telegram, get a free doctor assessment and the price, then confirm the plan and dates before anything is booked.

How it works · Bariatric surgery prices

Information current as of 24 October 2026

Free online consultation on WhatsApp and Telegram

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Results

Weight loss our patients achieved

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
Who it is for
Obesity without marked reflux
Type of anaesthesia and stay
General anaesthesia, hospital stay of 1–3 to 4–5 days

Gastric bypass

The stomach is made smaller and food is rerouted

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
Who it is for
Obesity, diabetes or reflux
Type of anaesthesia and stay
General anaesthesia, hospital stay of 1–3 to 4–5 days

The listed benefits and recovery times are guideline averages per method. How much surgery is needed and how recovery goes depend on your anatomy and individual features — the surgeon confirms this at the consultation.

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Our clinic

A clinic where you can feel at ease

Comfortable rooms, modern equipment and care for each person

A doctor and a patient in a clinic ward

Reach us in the way you prefer

We answer your questions and pick a convenient consultation time

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Get a consultation

Bariatric surgery (weight loss surgery) is suitable only for some patients

You and the surgeon decide on surgery together, after a consultation and check-up.

SuitableBariatric surgery helps with

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?

Message us on Telegram — our coordinator will tell you whether bariatric surgery is right for you. The surgeon consultation is free, with no commitment 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

When your plan is prepared, the cost is named at the consultation and locked in the contract.

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

Rerouting food and losing weight

A surgeon during a gastric bypass

$4,000$5,200

Lock in the price

Free

First consultation

Examination by the surgeon and a personal treatment plan

First consultation

Free

you are told the cost of surgery
and it is fixed in the contract

Book a consultation

Find out your method and the cost of surgery

Following a health assessment and a talk about your goals, the doctor chooses the right bariatric surgery method. The cost is named at the consultation and set in the contract.

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

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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 (≈ €3,250) price includes

All in one package, from the preparation stage to 12 months of support — and no extra fees.From your pre-surgery preparation
to follow-up support for 12 months.

  • Surgery and the surgeon's work
  • General anaesthesia
  • Inpatient care after surgery
  • Meals at the clinic
  • Support while you keep the weight off
  • A coordinator assigned to you 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 admission to discharge

A jointly agreed treatment plan, monitoring in hospital and support over a year.

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

Consultation and a treatment plan

The doctor assesses your health, discusses your goals and orders the tests needed to choose the right bariatric surgery method.

Booking the surgery date2

Choosing and booking a date

We reserve your surgery date; the deposit can be made by card in the clinic or by online bank transfer. The contract for medical services sets the terms

A blood sample tube for tests before bariatric surgery3

Tests before surgery

Ahead of surgery you take blood and urine tests, an ECG, an ultrasound and a gastroscopy, and see the specialists. The exact list is given by the doctor at the consultation.

Surgeons performing a bariatric operation4

Surgery

The surgeon performs the bariatric procedure by the chosen method under general anaesthesia, and the medical team then monitors the patient after surgery.

A hospital ward at the clinic5

Inpatient stay

After surgery, doctors supervise you in hospital. You stay from 1–3 to 4–5 days, depending on the complexity of the operation and your well-being.

A doctor and a patient in the ward during recovery6

Recovery

After discharge you get advice on diet and recovery. Scheduled check-ups track how you feel, your weight and your test results. The clinic team supports you for a year.

At the consultation the doctor makes a plan and tells you how the surgery will go

A surgeon shows a patient the result forecast on a tablet

The consultation costs nothing, takes place before surgery and has no obligation.

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

Head bariatric 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

Your surgeon operates and follows you — from the first consultation to the result.

Our patient care manager holds the first consultation — calculating your BMI, explaining the methods and booking you with the surgeon. It costs nothing.

Book a consultation

Coordinators

Clinic coordinators

Support at every step of the way

Your personal coordinator

The person you reach first at the clinic, from your first message up to the consultation

Svetlana

Specialist in patient care

Answers your questions before the first consultation and helps you choose a convenient date

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

From the moment you book to discharge — with you before and during your stay

Olesya

Specialist in patient care

Helps you prepare for the operation and stays in touch while you are at the clinic

  • Supports you before and after surgery
  • Helps with documents and bookings
Your personal coordinator

With you all through recovery, from discharge to the final check-up

Alisa

Specialist in patient care

Remains in touch during recovery and books your follow-up appointments with the surgeon

  • Answers questions during recovery
  • Books follow-up visits

Advantages

Why patients choose City Medical Centre

A surgeon consults a patient in the clinic

A personal approach at every stage

We choose the best method for your health, lifestyle and goals. Our team is with you all the way.

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

Long-term
post-operative support

With our help you adapt to new eating habits, track your results and sustain them.

A patient at the clinic

Real, lasting results

A higher quality of life, better well-being and steady weight loss.

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

We fit around your plans

Open 24/7, we respect your time with easy booking and a personal approach, adapting to your pace.

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

Fixed prices

The surgeon chooses the method after the consultation and gives you a clear price, with no hidden fees or surprises on the way to your result.

Prices

Bariatric surgery: price list

Send a request before month-end for a free consultation on any service

  • Meeting the bariatric surgeon

    Free

    Book

  • Sleeve gastrectomy

    Price without discount: $4,800$3,600

    Book

  • Gastric bypass

    Price without discount: $5,200$4,000

    Book

FAQ

What people usually ask us
before booking

Bariatric Surgery in Munster: price and what is included

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

How much does bariatric surgery in Munster cost?

Prices start from $3,600 (≈ €3,250). 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.

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When bariatric surgery in Munster makes sense

Bariatric surgery is a medical treatment for obesity and related diseases. Unlike plastic surgery, it changes how the digestive tract works and addresses the causes of excess weight. For patients from Munster, four main methods are available: sleeve gastrectomy, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, mini gastric bypass and SADI-S. Each is chosen individually based on BMI, related conditions and personal goals.

During the operation the surgeon works laparoscopically, which keeps rehabilitation as short as possible. Right after, you are under round-the-clock care in a ward, with meals and nursing included. After discharge, most people in Munster return to office work in 2–4 weeks, following a diet plan and avoiding saunas and heavy exercise for the first weeks.

If you are comparing bariatric surgery options in Munster, 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.

Stories of well-known people

Well-known people who spoke openly about this operation, in their own words.

All stories about this operation →

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: .

What the national figures say about obesity, and why Münster residents ask about surgery

Münster is a city of 306,368 inhabitants (31 December 2025) on 303.28 km², with a density of 1,010.2 people per km². Behind these figures sit many households that eventually ask the same question about weight: is it still a matter of willpower, or has it become a medical condition? Obesity data for Germany give a useful frame. In the Mikrozensus 2009 survey, 15.7% of men and 13.8% of women reported a BMI of 30 or more. In the measured DEGS study of 2008/11, the shares were 23.3% of men and 23.9% of women. The surveys give lower values than the measurements because people tend to understate their weight when they report it themselves.

For a reader in Münster the gap has a practical meaning. If your weight is recorded only from memory, the figure may look milder than it is. Bariatric planning relies on measured data: weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared, taken on the same scale at the start and checked again later. Online, this is easy to do in advance. Weigh yourself in the morning, measure your height against a wall, and send the figures with a few photos to the coordinator on WhatsApp or Telegram. The doctor can then give a first assessment of whether you are near the thresholds that matter.

Those thresholds are the same ones the German S3 guideline uses: surgery is indicated from BMI 40 kg/m² even without other illnesses, and from BMI 35 kg/m² when an obesity-related condition is present, once conservative therapy has failed. The criteria on the City Medical Centre side match this logic. Usually a BMI over 40, or over 35 with related health conditions, is the starting point. In some cases surgery is considered at lower values when non-surgical methods have not worked, and that is decided individually, not by a table.

The related conditions that count toward the lower threshold are the ones named in the programme: hypertension, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, joint disease, fatty liver disease, varicose veins and reproductive health problems. Many people in a university city with a large population of working adults have one of these without having connected it to weight. A free first consultation is a quiet way to put a name on the picture before any decision is made. It carries no obligation to go on to surgery.

One more point on the numbers. In 2014 a gastric bypass was performed in 4,083 cases on obesity patients in Germany, according to a figure cited in a German reference article. That is a small count compared with the share of adults who are measured as obese. Surgery is therefore a minority route even among eligible people, and the usual path includes long attempts with diet, exercise and medical guidance first. The online consultation does not try to push anyone along that path faster than it suits them.

How statutory insurance treats weight-loss surgery, and what it means for planning

About 92% of the German population is covered by statutory health insurance (GKV). As of 2024, about 88% of the working population is insured through statutory funds and about 11% privately. Münster residents, whether students, employees or retirees, will in most cases be in the first group, so it is worth understanding how that system approaches bariatric procedures.

Bariatric surgery is not part of the regular benefit catalogue of the GKV, but it can be applied for in individual cases. The conditions are specific. First, there must be proof that conservative weight-loss methods have been exhausted over 6 to 12 months in a multimodal concept, meaning diet, exercise and behavioural support taken together. Second, the Medizinischer Dienst (MD) carries out an assessment under the "Begutachtungsanleitung Adipositas-Chirurgie". Only after both steps can an insurer decide on the request.

This is a different rule from the one for cosmetic work. German reference sources state that statutory insurance does not pay for cosmetic procedures done at the patient's request, and the patient bears the full cost, including lost income. After a medically non-indicated procedure, insured persons must share in the costs of resulting complications, including sick pay. Insurers may restrict or refuse benefits under § 52 SGB V, and there is no entitlement to continued wage payment in that case. The distinction matters because bariatric surgery sits on the medical side of that line: the City Medical Centre programme describes it as treatment of obesity and related illnesses, which changes how the digestive tract works, whereas plastic surgery reshapes outer contours and does not treat obesity or affect metabolism.

What this means in practice for someone in Münster who is weighing up an online route:

- Keep records of your earlier weight-loss attempts. Dated notes, diet plans, weigh-ins and any supervised programmes are the evidence a German insurer looks for over its 6 to 12 month window.

- Ask the coordinator what documents the doctor can provide after the consultation, such as an assessment of your BMI and comorbidities, so that you can decide for yourself how to use them with your insurer.

- Do not assume that an insurer's refusal ends the discussion, and do not assume approval either. Both outcomes are possible, and the decision sits with the insurer and the MD, not with the clinic.

- Plan your working life around recovery. The reference material on insurance points to the sick-pay question when a procedure is judged not medically indicated, so clarify your employment situation before you fix a date.

The City Medical Centre route is self-contained: after the free consultation the doctor names the final price and it is fixed in the contract. The package covers preparation, the operation by the operating doctor, general anaesthesia, the inpatient stay, meals at the clinic and support for 12 months. A coordinator stays with you from day one, and progress is checked remotely by photos. We do not give figures here because the price is stated at the consultation and in the contract, not in general text.

Another number from reference material on waiting: a 2010 Commonwealth Fund survey found that 70% of Germans reported waiting less than 1 month for elective surgery. That figure concerns elective operations in general and is dated, so it should not be read as a promise about bariatric waiting. Insurance-funded bariatric procedures depend on the assessment steps above, and those can take time that is hard to predict. Where an online consultation helps is that you get a medical opinion and a plan without queuing, and you decide the dates after you have seen the plan.

Choosing between sleeve and bypass when your weeks run on a cycling calendar

Münster describes itself as the bicycle capital of Germany. In 2007 bicycle traffic accounted for 37.6% of trips and vehicle traffic for 36.4%. The Promenade, a bicycle-friendly ring, encircles the city centre. For a future patient this is more than a curiosity: daily movement is already built into the city's layout, and that is the foundation on which a bariatric plan works best. The operation changes how much you can eat and, with a bypass, how food is absorbed. Movement does the rest of the work in the months afterwards.

The two core procedures offered are sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass. Sleeve gastrectomy reduces stomach volume; the main goal is weight loss and a quick feeling of fullness, and the indication is obesity without marked reflux. Gastric bypass reduces stomach volume and also changes the path of food; the goal is weight loss and better metabolism, and it is indicated for obesity with diabetes or reflux. Both are done under general anaesthesia with a stay of 1–5 days in hospital. The clinic also names four main types in its programme: sleeve gastrectomy, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, mini gastric bypass (MGB) and SADI-S duodeno-ileal bypass. The choice depends on BMI, related conditions and your goals, and it is made by the bariatric doctor, not by a leaflet.

A reflux history is the single most useful thing to mention early. If you often have heartburn, or your doctor has talked about reflux disease, that moves the conversation toward bypass. Type 2 diabetes does the same. If neither applies and your main difficulty is portion size and constant hunger, the sleeve is the natural subject of discussion. These are indications, not rules, and your anatomy and individual traits change the final plan. The benefits and recovery periods stated for each method are averages given for guidance only.

The operation is laparoscopic. It is done through 4 small punctures of 5 to 15 mm, and cosmetic sutures are placed, so once healed the marks become almost invisible. This matters for people who cycle, swim in the Aasee in summer or simply dress for the city's warm months, as the mean daily maximum is 25.3 °C in July. The scars are small, but they still need time, and the doctor tells you how to look after them.

Think about contraindications too. Surgery is not suited to those under 18, to people with malignant tumours, to pregnancy, to blood clotting disorders, to severe chronic or mental illness, to acute illness or flare-ups of a chronic disease, or to the period of less than six months since breastfeeding ended. If one of these applies to you, say so in the first message. It saves time and keeps the plan honest.

Preparation and recovery against Münster's weather and calendar

The route from first message to discharge has six steps. It begins with a consultation and a treatment plan, in which the doctor assesses your health, discusses your goals and orders the tests needed to select the method. Next you reserve the date; the terms are fixed in the contract for medical services. Then come the tests before surgery: blood and urine tests, an ECG, an ultrasound and a gastroscopy, plus visits to specialists. The doctor gives you the exact list at the consultation. The operation follows under general anaesthesia, then an inpatient stay of 1–3 or up to 4–5 days depending on complexity and how you feel, then recovery with advice on diet and scheduled check-ups of well-being, weight and test results.

Münster's climate has features that are worth taking into account when choosing a time. The annual mean maximum is 15.4 °C. In January the mean daily maximum is 5.7 °C and the minimum 0.4 °C, and relative humidity reaches 85–86% from November to January. Sunshine falls to 1.3 hours a day in December, against 6.6 hours in May and 6.3 hours from June to August. The wettest months are August (79 mm) and June (77 mm), and the driest are May (33 mm) and April (34 mm). Annual precipitation was 672 mm in the 2015–2020 table, with 183 rainy days.

None of this changes the medical plan, but it affects the comfort of your first weeks. The short-term recovery periods from the programme are these: office work after 2–4 weeks, physical work after about 1.5 months, swimming after 30 days, and other exercise added gradually as weight drops. If you work at a desk, a winter date means your first outdoor walks happen in cold, damp air with little light, so you may prefer short indoor walks at first and plan outdoor ones for the middle of the day. If you choose spring, the clearer light of May, with its longer sunshine, suits slow daily walks along the Aa or around the Aasee. The Aasee is a reservoir created by damming the Aa in the 1930s, and the Münstersche Aa runs through it and the inner city before reaching the Ems near Greven, so a flat waterside route is within reach in many parts of the city. The city centre lies at 60 m, the highest point is 99.8 m and the lowest 38.6 m, so the terrain is gentle for early walking.

Students make up a notable share of the city: 65,000 students in 2018, and the university had 41,217 students in winter semester 2025/26. For a student or someone working on a semester schedule, timing around teaching blocks and exams can matter more than the weather. Ask the coordinator to line up the date so that the 2–4 weeks before office-type work do not clash with a deadline.

The Send fair takes place three times a year (spring during Lent, summer in June, autumn in October) and draws more than one million visitors per year. Early after the operation you will be on a staged diet, moving from liquid to soft to solid food, so a stroll through a fair full of fried and sugary stalls is probably best left for later. This is not a prohibition. It is a point to settle with the doctor, as the main dietary focus is protein and restricting high-calorie, fatty food. Treats may come back in small amounts, but not in the early stages.

On the coordinator side, three specialists in patient care handle different phases. One answers questions before the first consultation and helps you choose a date, one supports preparation and stays in touch during the hospital stay, and one is with you through recovery and books your follow-up visits. All of them can be reached 24/7 on WhatsApp and Telegram, and the reply time promised for a first message is within 15 minutes.

Eating, vitamins and follow-up once you are back home

The first meal plan after surgery is not a single diet but a sequence. Liquid food comes first, then soft food, then solid food, and the stages are set by the doctor. Protein is the priority, and high-calorie and fatty food is restricted. High-calorie drinks are also a concern: avoiding them is named as one of the keys to avoiding weight regain, alongside proper eating and regular follow-up with the specialists.

Regional food culture is not part of the sourced facts here, so rather than describe what Münster residents eat, it is more honest to describe how to apply the plan to any kitchen. Look at your usual week and mark the meals built around bread, sweet drinks, fried dishes or large portions. Those are the ones to rework with the doctor's advice. Keep in mind that cycling culture, which in this city is a normal part of getting around, adds activity but does not by itself offset high-calorie drinks. The diet plan has to be explicit.

Vitamins are not optional. As digestive anatomy changes, the body absorbs certain nutrients less well, so regular vitamin and mineral supplements become a lasting part of the patient's life. The programme does not give doses in general text, and we do not either. The doctor sets them according to your method and test results. What you can do now is decide where you will keep the supplements and how you will remember them, because missed doses are a common reason for problems later.

Follow-up is where an online format helps people in a city like Münster. Support lasts 12 months as part of the package, and the check is partly remote: you send photos and the coordinator keeps track of your progress, while scheduled check-ups of well-being, weight and test results are arranged by the team. Final results are reached 18–24 months after surgery, so the first year is only part of the story. Weight regain is possible but very unlikely if you follow the doctor's advice, and the programme's own view is that proper eating, avoiding high-calorie drinks and regular follow-up are what count.

Humidity of 85–86% and short winter days can make outdoor activity less appealing from November to January, which is when many people's routines slip. Plan an indoor alternative before you need it: a swimming session once you are cleared after 30 days, stationary cycling, or a routine of walks in the middle of the day. The aim is to have exercise added gradually as weight drops, as the programme describes, rather than all at once.

Pregnancy needs its own planning. It can happen after bariatric surgery, though doctors advise holding off at least 12–18 months, while the body stabilises, weight reaches target values and nutritional status normalises. If you and your spouse are planning a family, mention it at the first consultation so that the timing is built into the plan.

Finally, bring a few practical habits into the follow-up:

- Weigh yourself at the same time on the same scale and keep a log to share with the coordinator.

- Take progress photos in similar light and clothing, since the remote check relies on them.

- Write down questions as they arise, because the coordinators answer around the clock and nothing needs to wait for a scheduled slot.

- Keep your test results together so that any later doctor you consult, including your general practitioner, sees the full picture.

Does German statutory insurance pay for bariatric surgery if I live in Münster?

Bariatric surgery is not part of the regular benefit catalogue of statutory health insurance (GKV), but it can be applied for in individual cases. The conditions are proof that conservative weight-loss methods were exhausted over 6 to 12 months in a multimodal concept, and an assessment by the Medizinischer Dienst (MD) under the "Begutachtungsanleitung Adipositas-Chirurgie". The decision belongs to the insurer, so clarify it with your fund before you fix a date.

Does the same rule apply as for cosmetic operations?

No, the reference material treats them differently. Statutory insurance does not pay for cosmetic procedures done at the patient's request, and the patient bears the full cost including lost income. Bariatric surgery is described as medical treatment of obesity and related illnesses, while plastic surgery reshapes outer contours and does not treat obesity or affect metabolism. Your BMI, related conditions and earlier attempts decide which side of the line your case falls on.

Which BMI figures are used in Germany, and are they the same as at City Medical Centre?

The German S3 guideline indicates surgery from BMI 40 kg/m² even without comorbidities, and from BMI 35 kg/m² with an obesity-related condition, once conservative therapy has failed. City Medical Centre uses the same logic: usually over 40, or over 35 with related conditions, and in some cases lower values when non-surgical methods have not worked. The doctor confirms it at the free consultation.

Why might my self-reported weight differ from what the doctor works with?

National data show the gap clearly. In the Mikrozensus 2009 survey, 15.7% of men and 13.8% of women reported a BMI of 30 or more, while measured DEGS 2008/11 data gave 23.3% of men and 23.9% of women. Self-reported figures tend to be lower than measurements. For planning, send a weight and height taken carefully, ideally with photos, so that the first assessment is close to reality.

Is the cold, damp Münster winter a bad time for the operation?

Nothing in the medical programme ties the operation to a season, so the choice is about comfort and your calendar. January has a mean daily maximum of 5.7 °C and humidity of 85–86% from November to January, with only 1.3 hours of sunshine a day in December. If you prefer gentle outdoor walks in early recovery, May with 6.6 hours of sunshine a day and the lowest rainfall at 33 mm may feel easier. Indoor walking and short outings work in any month.

How should I fit recovery around university terms or a work schedule?

The programme gives these averages: office work after 2–4 weeks, physical work after 1.5 months, swimming after 30 days, and the hospital stay lasts 1–5 days. Münster has a large student population, with 41,217 at the university in winter semester 2025/26. Tell the coordinator your teaching or exam dates and they can propose a plan around them. The exact timing is confirmed by the doctor.

Can I eat at the Send fair or other city events after the operation?

Diet moves in stages from liquid to soft to solid food, with the focus on protein and restricting high-calorie, fatty food. The Send fair takes place three times a year, in spring, June and October, so events of that kind come around often. In the early stages stalls full of fatty or sweet food are not suitable. Ask the doctor when and how much you can reintroduce, because it depends on your method and progress.

How does the follow-up work if I never meet the team in person?

Support lasts 12 months. A coordinator is with you from day one, progress is checked remotely by photos, and check-ups of well-being, weight and test results are scheduled. You can write on WhatsApp or Telegram 24/7. Vitamins and mineral supplements are a lasting part of life after the operation, and regular follow-up is one of the keys to avoiding weight regain.