City Medical Centre · multi-specialty surgery clinicOpen 24/7
EN
Message us on Telegram

Bariatric surgery

Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery in Richards Bay

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.

Message our coordinator

Free online consultation · Reply within 15 minutes

Message us on Telegram

By messaging us, you agree to our Privacy Policy

Results

Weight loss our patients achieved

Each result belongs to a real patient 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

We offer two main options: gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy. Weigh up how each works, its purpose and its indications to settle on your method with confidence.

Sleeve gastrectomy

A smaller 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
When it is needed
Obesity without marked reflux
Anaesthesia and hospital 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
When it is needed
Obesity, diabetes or reflux
Anaesthesia and hospital stay
General anaesthesia, hospital stay of 1–3 to 4–5 days

All benefits and recovery periods listed are averages per method, for guidance only. The extent of surgery and recovery vary with your anatomy and individual traits and are confirmed by the surgeon at the consultation.

Book a consultation

Our clinic

Feel at ease throughout your stay with us

Modern equipment, comfortable rooms and care for every patient

A doctor and a patient in a clinic ward

Write or call us the way you prefer

We answer your questions and pick a convenient consultation time

Get a consultation

Weight loss surgery is not right for every patient

Surgery is only decided jointly with the surgeon, once the consultation and check-up are done.

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 sure which column you belong to?

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 contract fixes the cost, which is named at the consultation after your plan is drawn up.

Discounted price

Sleeve gastrectomy

A smaller stomach volume

Surgeons during a sleeve gastrectomy

$3,600$4,800

Lock in the price

Discounted price

Gastric bypass

Weight reduction with rerouting of food

A surgeon during a gastric bypass

$4,000$5,200

Lock in the price

Free

First consultation

The surgeon examines you and draws up 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

After assessing your health and discussing your goals, the doctor picks the right bariatric surgery method. You learn the cost at the consultation, and the contract fixes it.

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

Message our coordinator

Free online consultation · Reply within 15 minutes

Message us on Telegram

By messaging us, you agree to our Privacy Policy

A bariatric surgeon discusses a treatment plan with a patient

price

What the $3,600 (≈ R61,000) price includes

No extra charges: one package takes you from preparation through 12 months of support.Everything from surgery preparation
to support over 12 months.

  • Surgery and the surgeon's work
  • General anaesthesia
  • Inpatient care after surgery
  • A slimmer, healthier body
  • 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 preparation to discharge

Hospital monitoring, a treatment plan agreed with you and a year of support.

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

Consultation and a treatment plan

Your health is assessed, your goals are discussed and the doctor orders the tests required to pick the right bariatric method.

Booking the surgery date2

Booking your operation 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

Before surgery you have blood and urine tests, an ECG, an ultrasound and a gastroscopy, and see the specialists. The doctor gives you the exact list at the consultation.

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, 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 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 the doctor draws up your plan and explains the surgery step by step

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

Experienced surgeons you can trust

Bariatric surgeon Andrey G. Ugay

Andrey G. Ugay

View profile

27 years of experience

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

The first consultation, free of charge, is with our patient care manager, who works out your BMI, explains the methods and books you in with the surgeon.

Book a consultation

Coordinators

Clinic coordinators

We are with you at each stage

Your personal coordinator

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

Patient support

Answers your questions before the first consultation and helps select a date that works for you

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

With you before and while you stay with us, from booking to discharge

Patient support

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

Stays with you during recovery, from discharge until your final check-up

Patient support

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 come to City Medical Centre

A surgeon consults a patient in the clinic

An individual approach at each stage

We pick the best method 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 the operation

We help you adjust to new eating habits, follow your results and maintain them.

A patient at the clinic

Real and lasting results

Steady weight loss, improved well-being and a better quality of life.

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

We work around your schedule

Respecting your time, we are available 24/7, offer easy booking and a personal approach, and adapt to your pace.

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

Fixed prices

No hidden fees and no surprises on the way to your result: after the consultation the surgeon chooses the method and you get a clear price.

Prices

Bariatric surgery: price list

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

  • Bariatric surgeon's consultation

    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 frequent questions
before booking

Bariatric Surgery in Richards Bay: price and what is included

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

How much does bariatric surgery in Richards Bay cost?

Prices start from $3,600 (≈ R61,000). 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

Bariatric surgery in Richards Bay: methods, stages and package

Sleeve gastrectomy turns most of the stomach into a narrow tube, reducing portion size and levels of ghrelin, the hunger hormone. It suits a BMI of 35 to 45, with patients losing on average 60–70% of excess weight. For anyone from Richards Bay with a higher BMI or type 2 diabetes, a bypass may fit better; the surgeon compares options at the consultation.

It begins with a surgeon's consultation: medical history, choice of method and a recovery plan. Patients from Richards Bay then complete a work-up — blood and urine tests, biochemistry, HbA1c, coagulation, chest X-ray, ECG, abdominal and kidney ultrasound, leg vein Doppler and a required gastroscopy — plus consultations with a GP, endocrinologist, psychiatrist, cardiologist and, for women, a gynecologist.

A permanent team — not a duty shift — handles your case, and the whole package is transparent. Included are the operation, 24/7 care in the ward, meals, nursing and a personal coordinator from day one, plus support throughout the first year. Richards Bay patients also get a contractual result guarantee. Book a free consultation to discuss your situation.

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

Richards Bay and the decision about bariatric surgery

Richards Bay is a city in KwaZulu-Natal on a 30-square-kilometre lagoon of the Mhlatuze River. It is home to one of the country's largest harbours and the deepest natural harbour on the African continent. The city has about 252,968 inhabitants. It is a working port and industrial city with a coastal rhythm, and that rhythm shapes how people here think about health, weight and time off.

Many residents come to the question of bariatric surgery after years of trying diets, gym memberships and short-lived programmes. The WHO describes obesity as a chronic condition that raises the likelihood of other illnesses, and that matches what families in Richards Bay tell our coordinators: weight is rarely the only issue, and it often arrives together with blood pressure, blood sugar, sleep and joint complaints.

This text is written for a person in Richards Bay who is still collecting information. It covers the two operations most often discussed, sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass, and ties each step to local life: shift patterns, the humid coast, family gatherings, food habits and the distances between suburbs. It is general information. Only the surgeon, after reviewing your tests, can say which operation fits you.

Climate in Richards Bay and what it means for recovery

Richards Bay lies in a transitional zone between a humid subtropical climate inland and a tropical savanna climate along the shore. Summers are warm and wet, and winters are mild, moist to dry and frost-free. Average annual rainfall is 1228 millimetres and the average annual temperature is 21.5 °C. From January to March daytime maxima peak at about 29 °C, while from June to August daytime highs are around 23 °C with minimums near 12 °C.

For recovery this matters in practical ways. In the humid summer months, sweating under a compression garment or a waistband can irritate the skin around the small laparoscopic wounds, so loose breathable clothing, clean dry dressings and following your surgeon's wound instructions become more important. Heat also increases fluid loss, which is relevant because sipping fluids in small amounts is a central part of early eating after these operations.

The mild winter is gentler on a patient who wants to rest at home and take short, easy walks. Cooler, drier days make it more comfortable to wear layers over the abdomen. Whatever the season, direct strong sun on healing marks should be avoided, and a hat and shade are sensible for outdoor walks. Keep the wounds covered until your surgeon says otherwise.

Because the coastal plain is very flat, with suburbs only a few metres above sea level, gentle walking is easy to build into daily life in the days after discharge. There are no steep hills to climb, which suits the gradual return to activity that the medical team recommends.

Choosing the season for the operation

There is no single correct month, but local conditions can help you choose. The warm wet summer, with its peak heat from January to March, is the most demanding time for wound care and hydration. Patients who plan the operation for the cooler months from June to August often find it easier to rest indoors, wear soft clothing and keep a steady routine.

Planning should also take into account the working calendar of a port and industrial city. If your employer runs on shifts, ask early about leave. Office work is possible after 2–4 weeks, and physical work after 1.5 months. Anyone employed in heavy labour around the harbour, the smelters or the mineral works should plan the longer period, not the shorter one.

Family events matter too. Birthdays, religious holidays, weddings and long weekend braai gatherings are central in Richards Bay, and large festive meals are difficult in the first stages after surgery. Pick a window when you can step back from them without pressure. A coordinator can help you line up the preparation, the operation and the follow-up around your own calendar, because we work 24/7 and adapt to your pace.

Work, study and sport after surgery in Richards Bay

The population here is young: 74.19 per cent of residents are under 34. Many patients are therefore balancing a career, studies and small children. The medical facts give clear planning anchors: a hospital stay of 1–5 days depending on the method and how you feel, and a return to office work after 2–4 weeks.

If you work in the port or at a plant, the physical demands matter more than the title on your contract. Physical work is generally resumed after 1.5 months. Discuss your exact duties, lifting and long hours in the heat with the surgeon at the consultation, and ask for a written plan you can show your employer.

Students can usually return to lectures and desk study within the office-work window, but should arrange flexible deadlines for the first weeks. Sport follows the same gradual logic: swimming is allowed after 30 days, and other exercise is added gradually as weight goes down. Richards Bay is known for kitesurfing in consistent north-east winds. Water sports are a motivating goal, but treat them as a later milestone and confirm with the surgeon before you return to them. Begin with walking along flat paths near home, then add more once you are cleared.

Food culture and eating habits in a coastal industrial city

Food in Richards Bay reflects its mix of communities: white, black African, Indian and coloured residents live in suburbs such as Meerensee, Brackenham, Aquadene and Ngwelezane. That means shared tables with grilled meat, rich curries, bread, maize dishes, fried snacks and sweet drinks, often at large family meals. None of these is forbidden for life, but after bariatric surgery the way you eat changes.

The stomach becomes much smaller, so portions are small, eating is slow and protein comes first. Ask the team how to adapt dishes you love rather than give them up. A curry can be made with less oil, a braai can focus on lean protein, and sweet fizzy drinks are the first thing most patients are asked to drop. Ask for guidance on vitamins and supplements, because nutritional status must be monitored in the months after the operation.

Talk to your household before the date is set. If one person cooks for everyone, they need to know about the new portions and textures. Sharing the plan makes family meals and community events much less stressful, and it protects you from well-meant pressure to eat more.

Who is a candidate and who is not

Bariatric surgery is usually considered with a BMI over 40, or over 35 with related health conditions. BMI is the main tool for assessing the degree of obesity: body weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. In some cases surgery is also considered at lower values, if non-surgical approaches have failed. The surgeon confirms at the consultation whether surgery suits you.

Candidates normally have a history of serious attempts to lose weight by other means. Contraindications are decided individually and include untreated conditions that make general anaesthesia or the eating changes unsafe, unstable mental health, or an unwillingness to follow the dietary and follow-up plan. Be fully honest about your medical history, medicines and any history of eating disorders or alcohol use. Without that, nobody can judge your case properly.

Pregnancy planning deserves its own conversation. 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. Young women in Richards Bay should discuss this with the surgeon before the date is fixed.

Sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass: how the operations work

Both operations are performed under general anaesthesia and rely on modern laparoscopic technique. The operation is performed through 4 small punctures of 5 to 15 mm. Cosmetic sutures are used, so after healing the marks are barely visible, which is reassuring for patients who spend much of the year in light summer clothing and at the beach.

In a sleeve gastrectomy, a large part of the stomach is removed and a narrow tube remains. In a gastric bypass, a small stomach pouch is connected to a lower part of the intestine so food bypasses a section of the digestive tract. The surgeon chooses between them after looking at your weight, other illnesses, eating habits and goals. Ask what each option means for vitamins, reflux and long-term follow-up in your case.

Doctors supervise you in hospital after surgery for a stay of 1–5 days, depending on the complexity of the operation and how you are feeling. The weight loss result develops over time and is reached 18–24 months after surgery. Treat the early weeks as a phase of adaptation, not as the final picture.

How the remote consultation works from Richards Bay

The first step is a free online consultation. You contact the centre from Richards Bay on Telegram or Telegram, and coordinators are available around the clock, 24/7. If you leave a request, a coordinator will call you back 24/7. Booking is easy, the approach is personal and we adapt to your pace.

Prepare a short summary before the call: height, weight, past illnesses, medicines, previous operations and your earlier attempts to lose weight. Add recent test results if you have them. A stable connection helps, and you can join from home in any suburb, so you can speak privately and invite a family member.

The programme is organised in one package: from preparation to 12 months of support, all in one package, with no added fees. The follow-up means support for 12 months, so you are not left alone after discharge. You can ask your coordinator about every stage before you decide.

From a makeshift harbour to a deep water port: why planning feels familiar here

Richards Bay began as a makeshift harbour set up during the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879. In 1902 the harbour engineer Cathcart Methven recognised its potential in his Zululand Port Survey. The town was laid out on the lagoon shore in 1954 and proclaimed a town in 1969. The deep water harbour opened on 1 April 1976 after four years of construction that began in 1972.

That history of patient preparation before the big opening is a useful model for bariatric surgery. A sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass is the visible event, but the work lies in the months of preparation before it and the 12 months of support after it. Treat the date of the operation like the opening of the port: a milestone in a longer plan, not the whole project.

Meerensee, Arboretum, Veldenvlei and Esikhaweni: planning around your suburb

The first suburb, Meerensee, started in 1970. Arboretum followed in 1975 and Veldenvlei in 1980. Brackenham and Aquadene opened after 1985, and Esikhaweni lies fifteen kilometres south of the city centre. Households in these areas live at different distances from shops, workplaces and each other.

Esikhaweni residents have a longer daily distance to cover. Plan lifts, shopping and rest days before the date is set, so that you do not have to carry heavy bags or sit for long periods in the first weeks. Meerensee is known for its coastal dune forest, and shaded, level walks nearby are an easy way to add gentle daily movement once the surgeon allows it.

Harbour, smelters and mineral works: matching your job to your recovery

Richards Bay's economy rests on the port, the aluminium smelters operated by South32, the Foskor fertiliser plant and mineral mining on the dunes by Richards Bay Minerals. The Industrial Development Zone adds heavy, medium and light industry beside the port. Many patients work in or around these operations.

Tell the surgeon exactly what your shift involves: lifting, heat near furnaces, long standing or driving. Office work is possible after 2–4 weeks, but physical work is generally resumed after 1.5 months. Ask your occupational health contact or employer for flexible duties in the first weeks, and bring the surgeon's written plan to that conversation.

Tourism is also a major part of the local economy, as the city is a gateway to Zululand. Guides, drivers and hospitality staff spend long hours on their feet, so the same careful, stepped return to full duties applies.

Kayaks, surf and the triathlon legacy: sport goals after weight loss

Richards Bay has a proud sporting record. It hosted the ITU Triathlon World Cup in 2006, 2007 and 2008, and the South African Surfski Championships in 2011 and the South African Surf Championships at Alkantstrand in 2015. Local clubs include the Zululand Kayak Club, the Zululand Cycling Club and Richards Bay F.C. The Olympic canoeing medallist Bridgitte Hartley comes from the city.

For a patient, these clubs are a practical goal. Swimming is allowed after 30 days, and other exercise is added gradually as weight goes down. A first step could be walking or easy cycling, then a beginner session at a surf ski school once the surgeon agrees. Setting a modest club activity as a target can keep motivation high through the 18–24 months it takes for the weight result to develop.

Questions to ask the surgeon

Prepare your list before the call and write down the answers. Useful questions are: which operation suits my BMI and health conditions, and why? What does the hospital stay of 1–5 days look like for my case? When can I return to office work, and when to physical work? What changes in my diet in the first weeks, and which vitamins will I need?

Also ask how the follow-up for 12 months is organised, who I contact if something worries me at night, and how my chronic conditions and medicines will be reviewed as my weight changes. If you plan a family, ask about the advised waiting time of at least 12–18 months. If sport matters to you, ask when swimming is allowed, which is after 30 days, and how to increase exercise gradually.

Finally, ask what the surgeon would advise if you decided to wait. A good consultation includes a clear explanation of alternatives, not just of the operation.

Can I have a consultation from Richards Bay without leaving the city?

Yes. The first consultation is free and online. You write on Telegram or Telegram from Richards Bay, and coordinators answer around the clock, 24/7. A coordinator will call you back 24/7.

Who is usually considered for 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 is BMI calculated?

Divide your body weight in kilograms by your height in metres squared. BMI is the main tool for assessing the degree of obesity, but the surgeon also looks at your related conditions and history.

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 in hospital after surgery, depending on the complexity of the operation.

When can I go back to work?

Office work is possible after 2–4 weeks. Physical work, which is common in a port and industrial city like Richards Bay, is resumed after 1.5 months. Discuss your specific duties with the surgeon.

Will the humid coastal climate affect healing?

Warm wet summers can make sweating and skin irritation more likely under clothing or a compression garment. Choose loose breathable clothing, keep wounds clean and dry, shade healing marks from strong sun and follow your surgeon's wound instructions. Mild winters are usually more comfortable for rest.

When can I swim or return to kitesurfing?

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

Will I have large scars?

The operation is performed through 4 small punctures of 5 to 15 mm, using modern laparoscopic technique. Cosmetic sutures are used, so after healing the marks are barely visible.

Can I get pregnant after the operation?

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.

What support is there after the operation?

The programme runs from preparation to 12 months of support, all in one package, with no added fees. Follow-up support lasts 12 months, and the weight result develops by 18–24 months after surgery.

Does the Richards Bay climate and flat coast help with walking after surgery?

The coastal plain is very flat, so gentle daily walks are easy to plan. Follow your surgeon's advice on how much to do, and shade healing marks from strong sun.

I work at the port or a smelter. Which return time applies to me?

Office tasks are possible after 2–4 weeks, but physical work is generally resumed after 1.5 months. Discuss your exact duties with the surgeon and ask for a written plan.

Can I join a local paddling, cycling or surf club afterwards?

Swimming is allowed after 30 days, and other exercise is added gradually as weight goes down. Ask the surgeon before starting demanding water sports.

I live far from the city centre, for example in Esikhaweni. Does this change anything?

The first consultation is online, so distance does not matter for that step. Plan lifts and help at home for the first weeks, and a coordinator is available 24/7 if you have questions.

Page medically reviewed by Andrey G. Ugay, lead bariatric surgeon. Review date: .