Bariatric Surgery in Osaka: Methods and Results

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.

At the clinic, experienced bariatric surgeons perform the bariatric operations:

• 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.

Message us — our coordinator will be in touch shortly to arrange your consultation. There is no charge for the bariatric surgeon consultation.

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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
• Conventional weight-loss methods have failed in past attempts

BMI is the main tool for assessing the degree of obesity. It is calculated by dividing body weight (kg) by height squared (m²). 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.

Though often confused, the two have fundamentally different goals. Bariatric surgery is a medical treatment of obesity and related illnesses; it changes the functioning of the digestive tract to address the causes of excess weight and metabolism. Plastic surgery reshapes the outer contours of the body and neither treats obesity nor affects metabolism.

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.

Our approach is modern laparoscopic technique: 4 small punctures of 5 to 15 mm. We use cosmetic sutures, so the marks turn almost invisible after healing.

Recovery varies with your activities. Office work: after 2–4 weeks. Physical work: after 1.5 months. Sport and activity: swimming is permitted after 30 days; other exercise is added gradually as weight decreases. Travel and holidays: best scheduled at least a month after surgery.

In stages, your diet goes from liquid to soft to solid food. The main focus is protein and restricting high-calorie, fatty food.

Bariatric surgery does not rule out pregnancy, but doctors suggest waiting 12–18 months or more. During that time the body settles, weight reaches target values and nutrition status normalizes.

Yes, vitamins are essential after bariatric surgery. 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.

Regain after bariatric surgery is possible, but very unlikely if you follow the doctor's advice. Proper nutrition, no high-calorie drinks and regular follow-up visits with City Medical Centre specialists make the difference.