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Bariatric surgery

Obesity Surgery in Palma: Bariatric Methods

Discounted price

$3,600

$4,800 · First consultation — Free

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Real result
Bariatric surgery: a patient before surgery and after weight loss before after
Weight loss guided and supported
throughout. Your surgery and recovery plan is reviewed at no charge — prior to deciding.

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

Bariatric surgery for patients from Palma 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

Results

Before and after: weight loss in our patients

All cases are real patients of the clinic.

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

Two core procedures are offered here: gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy. See how each one works, its purpose and its indications so you can pick a method with confidence.

Sleeve gastrectomy

Less 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
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
Indications
Obesity, diabetes or reflux
Type of anaesthesia and stay
General anaesthesia, hospital stay of 1–3 to 4–5 days

The benefits and recovery times are method averages meant as a guide; the actual scope of the operation and your recovery depend on your anatomy and individual features. The surgeon confirms them at the consultation.

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Inside the clinic

A place where patients feel at ease

Up-to-date equipment, comfortable rooms and attention to each patient

A doctor and a patient in a clinic ward

Contact us the way that suits you

You get answers to your questions and a consultation slot that fits your schedule

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Get a consultation

Bariatric surgery (weight loss surgery) does not suit everyone

A consultation and check-up come first; then you and the surgeon decide on surgery together.

SuitableBariatric surgery is used for

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?

Send us a Telegram message to find out from our coordinator if bariatric surgery is right for you. There is no charge for the surgeon consultation and 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

Less stomach volume

Surgeons during a sleeve gastrectomy

$3,600$4,800

Lock in the price

Discounted price

Gastric bypass

Losing weight by changing the food route

A surgeon during a gastric bypass

$4,000$5,200

Lock in the price

Free

First consultation

Your treatment plan follows the surgeon's examination

First consultation

Free

the cost of surgery is named
and fixed in the contract

Book a consultation

Find out your method and the cost of surgery

The doctor looks at your health, talks about your goals and chooses the right method of bariatric surgery. You get the cost at the consultation, fixed 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
  • Post-operative hospital stay
  • Meals at the clinic
  • Support while you keep the weight off
  • Your own coordinator from the first day
  • Remote progress check by photos

$3,600$4,800

Discounted price

Lock in the price

The process

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

After assessing your health and discussing your goals, the doctor orders the tests that help choose the right bariatric surgery method.

Booking the surgery date2

Choosing and booking a date

To reserve your surgery date, pay the deposit by card at the clinic or online by bank transfer. The terms are fixed in the contract for medical services

A blood sample tube for tests before bariatric surgery3

Tests ahead of surgery

Blood and urine tests, an ECG, an ultrasound, a gastroscopy and specialist visits come before surgery. At the consultation the doctor gives you the exact list.

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

Once the operation is over, you stay in hospital supervised by doctors. Depending on its complexity and how you feel, this lasts from 1–3 to 4–5 days.

A doctor and a patient in the ward during recovery6

Recovery

After you leave hospital, you receive advice on diet and recovery. Scheduled check-ups monitor your weight, test results and how you feel. The clinic team supports you for a year.

At the consultation you get a plan from the doctor and an explanation of how 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

The same surgeon operates and follows your case — from first consultation to result.

The first consultation is with our patient care manager: they calculate your BMI, explain the methods and book you in with the surgeon. Free of charge.

Book a consultation

Coordinators

Clinic coordinators

We support you at every stage

Your personal coordinator

First contact at the clinic for you — from your first message through to the consultation

Svetlana

Care specialist for patients

Helps you find a convenient date and answers your questions before your first consultation

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

Accompanies you before and during your stay, from booking to discharge

Olesya

Care specialist for patients

Helps prepare you for surgery and remains in touch during your stay at the clinic

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

From discharge to your final check-up — with you throughout recovery

Alisa

Care specialist for patients

Stays in touch through recovery and books every follow-up visit 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

The best method is chosen for your health, lifestyle and goals, and our team is with you all the way.

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

Long-term
support after surgery

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

A patient at the clinic

Real results that last

Stable weight loss, improved well-being and a higher quality of life.

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

Your schedule is our priority

We work 24/7: booking is easy, the approach is personal and we adapt to your pace.

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

Fixed prices

Once the consultation is over, the surgeon chooses the method and you receive a clear price — no hidden fees and no surprises on the way to your result.

Prices

Bariatric surgery cost

Apply before the end of the month and get a free consultation for any service

  • Consultation with a 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

Answers to what people ask
before booking

Bariatric Surgery in Palma: 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 Palma 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.

By messaging us, you agree to our Privacy Policy

Choosing a bariatric method in Palma

SADI-S combines a sleeve with intestinal bypass in two stages and is one of the most powerful bariatric operations, with 80–90% excess weight loss and a long-lasting result. It suits super obesity with a BMI over 50, severe type 2 diabetes, or a second stage after an ineffective sleeve. Anyone in Palma in these situations can discuss it at a consultation.

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. Palma residents get the same step-by-step guidance from the team.

One package covers the full journey, from consultation to final result. There are no separate charges added later: ward, meals, nursing care and coordinator support are included. To find out whether surgery suits you, patients in Palma can book a free surgeon consultation; the doctor reviews BMI, health and weight history and recommends a method.

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: .

Obesity figures behind the decision to consider surgery

Spain's European Health Survey 2020, run by the national statistics institute, found obesity in 16.0 % of adults aged 18 and over. The rate was 16.5 % for men and 15.5 % for women. Overweight accounted for another 37.6 %, and 53.6 % of adults were above what is considered normal weight. For a resident of Palma, this means excess weight is a very common health issue, not a rare one. A person who has struggled with it for years is far from alone. These figures are national averages, though, and they say nothing about whether surgery is right for you.

The same survey puts osteoarthritis third among diagnosed chronic problems in people aged 15 and over, at 14.4 %. Only hypertension (19.0 %) and high cholesterol (15.3 %) rank higher, and low back pain affects 13.7 %. Several of these conditions occur together with excess weight. The bariatric programme described by the medical centre lists hypertension, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, joint disease and fatty liver disease among the problems that surgery can help with. A patient who already deals with high blood pressure and sore knees therefore has a concrete reason to ask for an assessment rather than just try another diet.

The medical rule of thumb is simple. Weight loss surgery is generally justified at a BMI above 40, or above 35 when serious related conditions are present. BMI is body weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. Sometimes surgery is considered at lower values, when non-surgical methods have not worked. The coordinators will ask for your height and weight in the first WhatsApp or Telegram message and calculate the figure with you. The doctor then confirms during the free online consultation whether an operation suits you at all.

Balearic residents rate their own health highly. In 2020, 82.9 % of people aged 15 and over in the Illes Balears assessed their health positively, the highest share in Spain. That is a reminder that self-rated health and weight-related risk can sit side by side. Someone who feels fine day to day may still have raised blood pressure or early joint wear. The pre-operative tests are there to show that picture: blood and urine tests, an ECG, an ultrasound and a gastroscopy, plus consultations with specialists. The doctor gives you the exact list at the consultation.

What the national health system covers, and what it does not

The common service portfolio of the Spanish national health system is set out in Royal Decree 1030/2006. For obesity it includes the adjustable gastric band. This applies to adults with a BMI above 40 kg/m², or above 35 with a significant associated condition. It also requires that conservative alternatives have already failed: diet, exercise and behaviour modification. So the public route has a defined entry door, and it is built around documented attempts at non-surgical treatment. If you are weighing public care against a private online plan, the first step is to find out how your own case fits those criteria. Your family doctor can tell you.

The same decree draws a clear line around cosmetic procedures. Techniques whose purpose is "mere aesthetic or cosmetic improvement" are not financed. Procedures with an aesthetic purpose unrelated to an accident, an illness or a congenital malformation fall outside specialised care in the public system. Breast implants and skin expanders are covered as reparative implants, but not when they are used in aesthetic surgery. The point is practical. Bariatric surgery is a medical treatment of obesity and the illnesses linked to it. It changes how the digestive tract works to tackle the causes of excess weight and the metabolism. Plastic surgery reshapes the outer contours of the body and neither treats obesity nor affects metabolism. The two should not be confused when you think about coverage.

The material available to this text names only the gastric band as an included technique. The medical centre's programme is built around sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass, with Roux-en-Y bypass, mini gastric bypass (MGB) and SADI-S as further options. It would be wrong to claim that the public portfolio funds those methods in every case. If coverage matters to you, ask your health service in writing which techniques it offers for your BMI and conditions. Bring that answer to the online consultation so the doctor can compare it with the plan proposed to you.

The medical centre states its programme as a single fixed-terms package, agreed in a contract after the consultation. It does not depend on a public queue. Whether that suits you depends on your circumstances, and the first consultation is free and carries no commitment to surgery. You can use it simply to learn which method fits your BMI and conditions, and decide afterwards.

Waiting lists in Spain and the Balearic Islands

The surgical waiting list of the national health system stood at 853,509 patients on 31 December 2025, according to the initial publication of the national waiting-list information system. The average wait was 121 days, and 21.6 % of patients had waited more than six months. A later note corrected the figures because of data from Castilla-La Mancha, so treat these numbers as an order of magnitude and not as an exact count.

The Balearic picture is somewhat more favourable. On the same date there were 17,075 patients in structural surgical waiting in the Illes Balears, or 13.62 per 1,000 inhabitants. The average wait was 105 days, shorter than the national figure. Within that total, traumatology accounted for 3,874 patients, with an average wait of 138 days. People in Palma with joint pain linked to weight often end up in that queue. Weight loss itself may change the picture. The programme lists joint disease among the conditions surgery helps with, so a patient waiting for a joint operation may want to discuss the sequence of treatments with the doctor.

Other specialities show how long waits can get. Plastic surgery has the longest average wait in the national system, at 269 days, while neurosurgery stands at 172 days. For joint replacement, the average wait was 98 days for hips, with 13.7 % exceeding the maximum period of 180 days. For knees it was 105 days, with 15.9 % exceeding it. Outpatient consultations add another step. On 31 December 2025, 84.42 of every 1,000 people were waiting for a first specialist consultation, with an average wait of 102 days. Traumatology had the longest consultation wait at 132 days.

An online consultation does not replace any of these public services, and it should not be presented as doing so. What it offers is speed at the start. You send photos and your measurements to the coordinators on WhatsApp or Telegram and get a doctor's assessment. A reply comes within 15 minutes, and coordinators are reachable round the clock, 24/7. You then confirm the plan and dates before anything is booked. If you stay on a public waiting list, the online assessment gives you a second professional opinion to take to that appointment.

Long-term follow-up from home in a city of 438,234 people

Palma is the capital of the Illes Balears and of the island of Mallorca. The municipality has 438,234 inhabitants (2024), the eighth largest in Spain. The urban area has around 550,000. Other figures put the 2025 population at 434,786, so the sources differ slightly. The city covers 208.63 km² at an altitude of 13 m, with a density of 2,100.5 inhabitants per km². It sits in the middle of the Bay of Palma on Mallorca's south coast. To the east lies the fertile plain of Es Pla. To the north and west it borders the Serra de Tramuntana, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

For bariatric surgery, the geography matters mainly in one way. Follow-up is long, and the programme describes support lasting 12 months, with a coordinator beside you from day one. After discharge you receive advice on diet and recovery, and scheduled checks of your well-being, weight and test results. Part of this takes place remotely, with progress checked from photos. For a patient in a city of this size, that means the progress review does not depend on a hospital car park or a bus timetable. The coordinators remind you about tests and check-ups, answer questions during recovery and book follow-up appointments with the operating doctor.

The final result takes 18–24 months to settle. That is long enough for habits to matter more than the operation. The programme says weight regain is possible but very unlikely if you follow the doctor's advice. Proper eating, avoiding high-calorie drinks and regular follow-up are the factors named. Vitamins and mineral supplements become a lasting part of life, because the changed digestive anatomy means the body absorbs certain nutrients less well. In practice, a Palma patient sets reminders for supplements and for the remote check-in on a phone, the same way any other regular medication is managed.

The Universitat de les Illes Balears, founded in 1978 with its main campus in Palma, had 15,789 students in the 2022-23 academic year. This is relevant mainly for younger adults. Among the patients whose results are shown in the programme are several in their early twenties. Operations at that age call for particular care about long-term eating habits and supplements. Candidates must be at least 18, since age under 18 is a contraindication. A student or young worker can take part in the consultation by message and arrange follow-up around lectures and shifts, because the coordinators work round the clock.

Eating after the operation and the rhythm of the Palma year

The diet after bariatric surgery moves in stages from liquid to soft to solid food. The main focus is protein, and restricting high-calorie, fatty food. The material available to me contains no sourced facts about traditional Balearic dishes. I will not make claims about local food, and the doctor will tailor the plan to your own diet during the consultation. What can be said is how the seasons shape habits, using climate data.

Palma has a hot semi-arid climate. Over 1991-2020, July and August were the warmest months, with maximums of 29.7 and 30.2 °C and minimums of 22.4 and 23.0 °C. January and February were the coldest, with maximums of 15.7 °C and minimums of 8.5 and 8.4 °C. The annual mean is 18.5 °C. The city gets 2,858 hours of sun a year, from 353 hours in July to 152 in December. Mean relative humidity is 72 %. Heat is relevant to the first weeks after surgery because fluid intake is something the doctor will discuss with you. In summer, a hot day with a 30 °C maximum is a prompt to plan drinks in advance. Avoid high-calorie drinks, which the programme specifically names as a risk for weight regain.

Winter has its own pattern. With only 152 hours of sun in December, the temptation to stay indoors is stronger. Daytime highs of about 15.7 °C in January and February are still mild enough for walking. The programme says other exercise is added gradually as weight drops, once the early recovery has passed. Rain is concentrated in autumn. October is the wettest month at 72.6 mm, followed by November at 67.8 mm and September at 60.5 mm. July is the driest at 5.1 mm. Annual precipitation is 470.1 mm over 53.6 days. For a patient planning post-operative walks, that means autumn needs a plan for wet days, such as walking indoors or shifting sessions to drier hours.

The city's rhythm also includes the calendar. Palma's patron is San Sebastián and its patroness the Virgen de la Salud. Local festivals mean meals out with family, which is when food decisions get tested. The advice from the programme is to learn the stages of the diet beforehand and ask the coordinator about any event on the calendar. Eating protein first and avoiding fatty, high-calorie food can be done at a family table. Telling relatives in advance about your changed portions removes much of the pressure.

Recovery timeline set against the Palma seasons

The programme gives clear recovery figures. The hospital stay is 1–5 days under observation: 1–3 days up to 4–5 days, depending on complexity and how you feel. Office work resumes after 2–4 weeks, and physical work after 1.5 months. Swimming is fine after 30 days. The operation is laparoscopic, through 4 small punctures of 5 to 15 mm, with cosmetic sutures, so the marks become almost invisible once healed. The final result arrives 18–24 months after surgery. These are averages for guidance. Your anatomy and individual traits change the real timeline, and the doctor confirms it at the consultation.

Sea temperature turns this into a practical calendar for Palma. The bathing season at Platja de Palma (El Arenal) lasts about 6–7 months, from late April to early November. The sea is coldest in February at 13.9 °C, reaches 22.5 °C in June, 25.0 °C in September and peaks at 26.0 °C in August. The annual mean is 19.5 °C. Take an operation planned for mid-November 2026, when the season is just ending. The 30-day mark falls in December, when the sea is cooler than in September. Whether to swim then is up to you and your doctor. The medical clearance is the same, but water of that temperature is a matter of comfort, not of the programme's rule.

Compare that with an operation in May. Day 30 would fall in June, when the sea is 22.5 °C and the water is comfortable. Office work resumes within 2–4 weeks, so by then you would probably already be back at your desk. Air temperatures show the contrast: April averages a maximum of 19.7 °C and a minimum of 12.2 °C, while October runs 24.0 and 16.8 °C. These are the months when exercise outdoors is easiest to add gradually, because neither the heat of August nor the damp of mid-winter gets in the way. I am not suggesting that the season should decide your date. The medical indications do that. But if you have a choice of dates, these figures help you plan the first month.

For a person with a physical job, 1.5 months means thinking about the workload ahead. The coordinators help with documents and bookings. The doctor sets the plan only after the tests, so message the coordinator early if your employer needs notice. Pregnancy planning follows its own timetable. Pregnancy after bariatric surgery is possible, but doctors advise waiting at least 12–18 months, while the body stabilises, weight reaches target values and nutritional status normalises. Also, less than six months since breastfeeding ended is a contraindication, so timing matters on both sides of an operation.

How the online route works from Palma, step by step

Everything starts with a message. You write to the coordinator on WhatsApp or Telegram and send photos and your height and weight. A free doctor assessment follows, with the final price named by the doctor and fixed in the contract. Nothing is booked before you confirm the plan and the dates. The consultation does not commit you to anything, and the programme describes it as taking place before surgery and carrying no obligation.

Once you decide to go ahead, the steps are fixed. The doctor orders the tests that will decide the method, and a date is reserved under the terms of a contract for medical services. The tests are completed before the operation: blood and urine, an ECG, an ultrasound and a gastroscopy, plus specialist consultations. The operation is done under general anaesthesia. After it you stay in hospital under the supervision of doctors. After discharge comes the support period of 12 months, with checks of weight and test results and a remote review by photo.

The choice of method follows your indications. Sleeve gastrectomy reduces stomach volume and suits obesity without marked reflux. Gastric bypass reduces stomach volume and changes the path of food. It is indicated for obesity with diabetes or reflux, and its aim is weight loss together with better metabolism. The programme names four main methods: sleeve, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, mini gastric bypass and SADI-S. The doctor decides on the basis of BMI, related conditions and your goals. The extent of surgery and recovery depend on your anatomy.

Some people are not suitable candidates, and the consultation exists to establish this honestly. Contraindications include age under 18, malignant tumours, pregnancy, blood clotting disorders, severe chronic and mental illness, acute illness or flare-ups of chronic disease, and less than six months since breastfeeding ended. If you are unsure which column describes you, the coordinator will tell you whether the operation could suit you. A conversation from your sofa in Palma is a low-effort way to find out before spending time on tests.

Does the lower Balearic waiting time mean I can rely on the public route for obesity surgery?

Not necessarily. The figure of 105 days is an average for structural surgical waiting in the Illes Balears on 31 December 2025, across all specialities, and the national average was 121 days. It does not describe the time from your first appointment to an obesity operation. The national portfolio also sets entry criteria for the adjustable gastric band: adults with a BMI above 40, or above 35 with a significant associated condition, after conservative alternatives have failed. Ask your family doctor how your own case would be assessed. You can also send your height, weight and photos to our coordinators for a free assessment and compare the two routes.

How many people in Spain are affected by obesity, and does it help to know that figure?

According to the European Health Survey 2020, obesity affected 16.0 % of adults aged 18 and over in Spain, with 16.5 % of men and 15.5 % of women. Another 37.6 % were overweight. These numbers show that the problem is widespread, but they do not tell you whether surgery is right for you. That depends on your BMI, related conditions and previous attempts at weight loss. Surgery is generally justified at a BMI above 40, or above 35 with serious related conditions, and the doctor confirms it at the consultation.

Does the national health system pay for plastic surgery after weight loss?

The royal decree on the common service portfolio excludes procedures with a purely aesthetic purpose that are not related to an accident, an illness or a congenital malformation. Plastic surgery also has the longest average wait in the national system, 269 days on 31 December 2025. Whether a particular procedure after weight loss would be treated as reparative is for the public health service to decide in your case. Bariatric surgery itself is a different matter, as a medical treatment of obesity. Plastic surgery does not treat obesity or affect metabolism.

I live in Palma and my knees hurt. Should I deal with the weight or wait for a joint operation first?

The programme lists joint disease among the conditions that bariatric surgery can help with, so the two questions are connected. In the Illes Balears, traumatology had 3,874 patients waiting for surgery and an average wait of 138 days on 31 December 2025. Nationally, the average wait for a knee replacement was 105 days, and 15.9 % of patients exceeded the maximum period of 180 days. Which should come first is a medical decision. Describe your joint problem and BMI to the coordinator, and the doctor will give an opinion during the online consultation. Take that opinion to your orthopaedic appointment.

Which season in Palma is more comfortable for the first month after the operation?

There is no season that is medically better, since the doctor sets the date on health grounds. For comfort, the figures differ. April averages a maximum of 19.7 °C, October 24.0 °C, and August 30.2 °C with the sea at 26.0 °C. January and February have maximums of 15.7 °C, with the sea at its coldest, 13.9 °C in February. The programme allows swimming after 30 days. Gentle walking is easier in spring and October, while August needs a plan for drinks and shade. Wet October days (72.6 mm on average) also need an indoor alternative.

Will the heat of a Palma summer affect my diet in the first weeks?

It can affect how you manage drinks. The diet moves in stages from liquid to soft to solid, with the focus on protein and restricting fatty, high-calorie food. July and August maximums average 29.7 and 30.2 °C, with minimums of 22.4 and 23.0 °C, and humidity averages 72 %. The programme names high-calorie drinks as a risk for weight regain, so cold sweet drinks are not a good answer to the heat. Ask the coordinator or doctor for a drinking plan for your stage of recovery.

I am a student at the Universitat de les Illes Balears. Can I take part in the programme?

The minimum age is 18, since age under 18 is a contraindication. An adult student can start with the free consultation on WhatsApp or Telegram, and coordinators answer round the clock, so the timing can fit around lectures. Office-type work resumes after 2–4 weeks, but physical work takes about 1.5 months, which matters for a student with a part-time job. The doctor confirms whether surgery suits you after your BMI and tests, and sometimes considers it at lower values when non-surgical methods have failed.

How do I keep up with checks over 12 months when I cannot go to a clinic in person?

The programme builds follow-up around remote contact. A coordinator stays with you from the first message, reminds you about tests and check-ups, books follow-up appointments with the doctor and answers questions during recovery. Progress is checked remotely by photos, and you get advice on diet and recovery, with scheduled checks of well-being, weight and test results. The support period is 12 months, while the final result settles 18–24 months after surgery. Regular vitamin and mineral supplements remain part of daily life.

Does a high self-rated health score in the Balearics mean I do not need a check-up?

Not by itself. In 2020, 82.9 % of people aged 15 and over in the Illes Balears rated their health positively, the highest share in Spain. But feeling well does not exclude raised blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea or fatty liver disease, all of which are on the list of conditions that surgery can help with. The pre-operative tests show the real picture. If your BMI is above 40, or above 35 with related conditions, a consultation is a reasonable step regardless of how you feel.

How big is the choice between operations, and who picks the method?

The doctor picks the method, based on your BMI, related conditions and goals. The main options are sleeve gastrectomy, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, mini gastric bypass and SADI-S duodeno-ileal bypass. Sleeve gastrectomy reduces stomach volume and suits obesity without marked reflux. Gastric bypass changes the food path and is indicated for obesity with diabetes or reflux. Both are done under general anaesthesia, with 1–5 days in hospital. You agree the plan and dates before anything is booked.

Why does the Palma sea temperature appear in a plan for recovery?

Because swimming is allowed after 30 days, and sea temperature varies strongly through the year. It ranges from 13.9 °C in February to 26.0 °C in August, with 22.5 °C in June and 25.0 °C in September. The bathing season at Platja de Palma runs from late April to early November. An operation in autumn puts day 30 in water cooler than an operation in late spring. It is a comfort factor only. The medical go-ahead for swimming is the same, and the doctor confirms your individual timeline.