Bariatric Surgery for Patients from Riga

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.

Our clinic's bariatric operations are performed by experienced bariatric surgeons:

• Ruslan S. Menzulin — bariatric surgeon and surgical oncologist, 9 years of experience. Trained at Mercy clinic (USA) under Vadim Gushchin, spoke at the World Congress of bariatric surgery in Santiago (2025). Co-author of an international study published in The Lancet.
• Andrey G. Ugay — lead bariatric surgeon, 27 years of experience. Has performed the largest number of SASJ operations in the country. Expert council member of the national Society of Bariatric Surgeons.

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
• Weight-loss attempts using conventional methods have not succeeded

The degree of obesity is mainly assessed with BMI: body weight (kg) divided by height squared (m²). As a rule, surgery is justified when BMI exceeds 40, or exceeds 35 alongside serious related conditions. In some cases lower values may also qualify for surgery 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.

Four main types of bariatric surgery are performed at City Medical Centre: sleeve gastrectomy, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, mini gastric bypass (MGB) and SADI-S duodeno-ileal bypass. Each is selected individually based on BMI, related conditions and patient goals.

We 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.

Recovery time depends on the activity. Office work: after 2–4 weeks. Physical work: after 1.5 months. Sport and activity: swimming allowed after 30 days, other exercise gradually added as weight goes down. Travel and holidays: plan no sooner than one month after surgery.

Diet changes happen in stages, from liquids to soft food and then solids. It centers on protein and limits high-calorie, fatty food.

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.

Yes, taking vitamins after bariatric surgery is mandatory. Because digestion is anatomically altered, the body absorbs some nutrients poorly, so regular vitamin and mineral supplements stay in the patient's life permanently.

Regaining weight after bariatric surgery is possible, yet very unlikely when you stick to the doctor's advice. The keys are proper nutrition, no high-calorie drinks and regular check-ups with City Medical Centre specialists.