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Bariatric surgery

Weight Loss Surgery in Rustenburg

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.

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Free online consultation · Reply within 15 minutes

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Results

Weight loss results of our patients

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 surgeons perform two key operations — sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass. A side-by-side look at how, why and when each is used helps you choose with confidence.

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
Indications
Obesity without marked reflux
Anaesthesia and 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
Indications
Obesity, diabetes or reflux
Anaesthesia and stay
General anaesthesia, hospital stay of 1–3 to 4–5 days

Treat the recovery times and benefits here as guidance averaged by method: how extensive the surgery is and how you recover depend on your own anatomy and features, and the surgeon confirms this at the consultation.

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Our clinic

A calm clinic where you can relax

Each patient gets care, comfortable rooms and modern equipment

A doctor and a patient in a clinic ward

Choose how you would like to contact us

Our team will reply to your questions and help you choose a consultation time

Get a consultation

Weight loss surgery is not right for every patient

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 sure which column you belong to?

Write to us on Telegram — a coordinator will let you know whether bariatric surgery is an option for you. The surgeon consultation costs nothing and carries no obligation to operate.

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 cost becomes known at the consultation after your plan is ready, and the contract fixes it.

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

Weight loss and a new route for food

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

the cost of surgery is named
and fixed in the contract

Book a consultation

Find out your method and the cost of surgery

Assessing your health and discussing what you want to achieve, the doctor selects the right bariatric method. The cost is named at the consultation and written into the contract.

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

Message our coordinator

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 (≈ R61,000) price includes

A complete package: preparation plus 12 months of support, without any extra charges.From your pre-surgery preparation
to follow-up support for 12 months.

  • Surgery and the surgeon's work
  • General anaesthesia
  • Post-operative hospital stay
  • A slimmer, healthier body
  • Meals at the clinic
  • Support while you keep the weight off
  • From the first day you have a personal coordinator
  • Remote progress check by photos

$3,600$4,800

Discounted price

Lock in the price

How it works

Treatment at the clinic —
from preparation to discharge

An agreed treatment plan, monitoring in hospital and support for a year.

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

Reserving your surgery date

We set aside a surgery date for you — the deposit is paid by card at the clinic or online by bank transfer, and the terms are fixed in the contract for medical services

A blood sample tube for tests before bariatric surgery3

Lab tests before the operation

Pre-operative checks include blood and urine tests, an ECG, an ultrasound, a gastroscopy and specialist visits; your exact list comes from the doctor at the consultation.

Surgeons performing a bariatric operation4

Surgery

The surgeon does the bariatric operation under general anaesthesia by the method chosen. After surgery, the patient stays under the medical team's monitoring.

A hospital ward at the clinic5

Inpatient stay

Doctors supervise you in hospital after surgery for a stay of 1–3 to 4–5 days, depending on the complexity of the operation and how you are feeling.

A doctor and a patient in the ward during recovery6

Recovery

On discharge you receive diet and recovery advice. Scheduled check-ups monitor how you feel, your weight and your test results, and the clinic team supports you for a year.

The doctor puts together a plan at the consultation and explains the course of surgery

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

Surgeons to rely on

Bariatric surgeon Andrey G. Ugay

Andrey G. Ugay

View profile

27 years of experience

Head 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

From the first consultation to the result, your surgeon operates and follows you.

Free of charge, the first consultation with our patient care manager covers calculating your BMI, explaining the methods and booking you in with the surgeon.

Book a consultation

Coordinators

Clinic coordinators

We are with you at each stage

Your personal coordinator

The clinic's first contact for you — from your first message until the consultation

Specialist in patient care

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

By your side before and during your stay, from booking to discharge

Specialist in patient care

Guides your preparation for surgery and stays in contact while you are at the clinic

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

By your side from discharge to your final check-up during recovery

Specialist in patient care

Stays in touch during your recovery and schedules follow-up visits 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

Your health, lifestyle and goals guide us to the best method, and our team is with you every step of the way.

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

Long-term
support after the operation

We support you in adapting to new eating habits, tracking results and keeping them.

A patient at the clinic

Lasting, real results

Weight loss that is steady, better well-being and a higher quality of life.

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

Your timetable comes first

We respect your time: we work 24/7, with easy booking and a personal approach — we 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 cost

Request before the month closes and get any service consultation free

  • 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 frequent questions
before booking

Bariatric Surgery in Rustenburg: 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 Rustenburg 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.

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By messaging us, you agree to our Privacy Policy

About weight loss surgery for patients from Rustenburg

Why do diets fail? The body fights back: metabolism slows, appetite grows, and lost kilos return. When diet changes and medication cannot fundamentally improve the situation, surgery becomes the effective way out. Rustenburg residents who have tried diets, fasting and pills for years without a lasting result are exactly the patients for whom bariatric operations are intended.

A personal coordinator is assigned from day one, so no one goes through the process alone. After the first examination, each patient gets an individual diagnostic programme to identify every disorder in the body. Then the surgeon selects the method and performs the laparoscopic operation, and a doctor stays nearby 24/7. That is the sequence for everyone from Rustenburg.

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. Rustenburg 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

Rustenburg and the decision about weight surgery

Rustenburg is a city at the foot of the Magaliesberg mountain range. Its name in Afrikaans and Dutch means “Town of Rest”. It is the most populous city in North West province, and the 2022 South African National Census puts its population at 562 031. For many residents, a decision about bariatric surgery (sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass) is made quietly and over a long time. People weigh their health, their work, their family and the chance that this time the result will hold.

A city of this size has plenty of people who have tried diets, exercise programmes and medical advice without lasting change. Bariatric surgery is a serious step, but it is not a last resort for everyone. It is one of the treatments for severe obesity, and it works best as part of a plan that includes preparation, nutrition and long-term follow-up.

City Medical Centre offers a free online consultation to patients in Rustenburg. You speak with us from home, from your workplace or from a quiet room between commitments. Coordinators are available around the clock (24/7) on Telegram and Telegram. You can write when a question comes to you, including late in the evening after a shift or early in the morning before the day starts. Nothing obliges you to decide during the first conversation.

How the remote consultation works from Rustenburg

The first step is a message to a coordinator on Telegram or Telegram. You describe your height, your weight, your general health and what you have already tried. From these figures the coordinator can estimate your BMI, the main tool for assessing the degree of obesity. It is calculated by dividing body weight in kilograms by height in metres squared.

Then an online meeting with a surgeon is arranged. It is a normal medical conversation, not a sales call. The surgeon asks about your medical history, your related conditions, your medicines and your eating habits. You can ask about the two operations, sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass, and why one may suit you better than the other. The surgeon confirms at the consultation whether surgery suits you.

If you need more time, a coordinator will call you back 24/7, so you do not have to fit the conversation around a work schedule. The programme runs from preparation to 12 months of support, all in one package. You know from the start that someone stays with you after the operation and that follow-up support lasts for 12 months.

Who is usually considered a candidate

Surgery is usually considered for a BMI over 40, or over 35 with related health conditions. These conditions are serious ones that doctors link to excess weight. In some cases surgery is considered at lower values too, if non-surgical approaches have failed. Whether you fit is decided by a surgeon after an examination. A number alone does not decide it.

In Rustenburg, many people spend long hours in jobs that are physically demanding or that involve shift work and irregular meals. Both patterns make weight harder to manage. This does not mean someone is to blame for their weight. The World Health Organization describes obesity as a chronic condition with many causes, and it treats it as a health matter, not a failure of willpower.

Some situations call for caution or for a different plan. These include conditions that make general anaesthesia unsafe, untreated eating disorders, active substance dependence, and a lack of readiness to change eating habits after surgery. Pregnancy planning also matters. Doctors advise waiting at least 12–18 months after bariatric surgery before getting pregnant, so the body can stabilize, weight can reach target values and nutritional status can normalize. Be open about all of this in your consultation, because it helps the surgeon choose the right method.

Sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass: questions to ask the surgeon

Before you decide, write down your questions and keep them next to your phone, so you can use the online consultation well. Ask which operation the surgeon recommends for you and why. Ask what each one means for eating, for vitamins and minerals and for medicines you take now. Ask how your related conditions, such as raised blood sugar or blood pressure, are likely to change as weight goes down.

Also ask how the operation is performed. The centre relies 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. This is useful to know if you wear fitted clothes for work or sport and want to understand what to expect.

Ask what happens if something does not go as planned, who you contact after the operation, and how you reach them at night. Ask what tests are needed before surgery and how to take them near your home in Rustenburg. Ask what your diet will look like week by week, and how the medical team will check your nutrition during the 12 months of support.

The operation and the hospital stay

Both operations are done under general anaesthesia. The hospital stay is 1–5 days, depending on the method and how you feel. Doctors supervise you in hospital after surgery for a stay of 1–3 to 4–5 days, depending on the complexity of the operation and how you are feeling. In practice, you spend these days under observation, begin to drink and eat in small amounts under the team's guidance, and start to walk.

Plan your family and work life around this period before you agree to a date. Think about who looks after children or older relatives, who covers your shift, and who can stay in touch with you in the first days. A clear plan reduces stress and helps recovery.

The coordinator stays in touch through the same chat you used for the first consultation. This is helpful because Rustenburg residents often have a busy day with long commutes. The city has been building public transport infrastructure, including bus rapid transit lanes, but you should still ask in advance how follow-up appointments and tests will be arranged, so that they do not clash with your working hours.

Climate and recovery in Rustenburg through the year

Rustenburg has a humid subtropical climate. Summers, from December to February, are very warm, though because of the altitude they are not as hot as one might expect. Winters, from June to August, are mild, with occasional frost at night. Rain falls mainly in summer. The difference between daytime and night-time temperatures is relatively large because of the elevation.

For recovery, this means a few practical things. In the warm months, light, breathable clothing that does not press on the small wounds is more comfortable, and you should drink fluids in small, regular sips as your team advises. Avoid long periods in strong sun and heat in the first weeks, because heat tires you and can make you feel dizzy when your intake of food and fluid is still small. Swimming is allowed after 30 days, so a pool is not an option in the first weeks, whatever the weather.

In winter, nights can be cold and mornings cool, so layers help. You can take off a layer in the middle of the day when it warms up. Many people find the mild winter months comfortable for the first weeks at home, because the temperature is easy to manage and there is less pressure to be outdoors. Neither season is wrong for surgery. What matters more is whether you can rest, follow your diet and attend your follow-up consultations.

Work, study and sport after surgery in Rustenburg

Mining is the base of the local economy. The city is a leading platinum producing centre with 41 platinum mines in the area, and mining makes up about half of its economy. Many residents work in mining or in trades connected with it, and others work in finance and retail. This matters for planning, because the time off depends on the kind of work you do.

Recovery time depends on the activity. Office work is possible after 2–4 weeks. Physical work follows after 1.5 months. If your job involves heavy lifting, long shifts or physical effort in the heat, talk to your surgeon about your exact duties and ask for a written plan that you can share with your employer or occupational health staff. A gradual return is usually safer than going back at full load on the first day.

Rustenburg also has a strong sporting life, from football at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium and rugby at Olympia Park to judo, swimming, cricket and golf. If you play or coach, plan your return in stages. Swimming is allowed after 30 days, and other exercise is added gradually as weight goes down. Students at local colleges and universities can usually return to lessons sooner than someone doing physical work, but they should still take notes of the diet rules, because lunch breaks and canteen choices matter in the first months.

Skydiving, contact sport and heavy gym sessions should wait until your surgeon agrees. Ask for a concrete timetable based on your own situation.

A Town of Rest founded in 1851: history and the habit of slowing down

Rustenburg was established in 1851 as an administrative centre for a farming area that produced citrus fruit, tobacco, peanuts, sunflower seeds, maize, wheat and cattle. Its name means “Resting Town” because the early settlers believed they could finally rest here. That idea is a useful frame for surgery planning. The first weeks after sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass are a time to rest on purpose, with short walks, small meals and enough sleep.

The farming past still shapes local food memories: maize, wheat, peanuts, sunflower seeds and citrus are part of the regional story. Many families link these foods with Sunday meals and celebrations. After the operation your portions will be small, and your team will guide which foods you add and when. Ask your coordinator how to keep familiar tastes in your diet in a form that protects your recovery, with protein first and slow eating.

The Paul Kruger Country Museum, in the old homestead of the Boekenhoutfontein farm, and the Rustenburg Museum are quiet places for a calm outing. A gentle walk in such a setting can be a good goal for your first weeks at home, as long as your surgeon agrees and you stop when you feel tired.

Magaliesberg, Kgaswane and walking as part of recovery

Rustenburg lies at the foot of the Magaliesberg range on the Highveld plateau, at an elevation of 1,217 metres. The Kgaswane Nature Reserve, a 4,257 ha reserve of quartzite peaks above the town, is open to hikers and to visitors by vehicle. For people who enjoy the outdoors, it makes a natural long-term goal after surgery.

Do not start with the mountain. In the first period, walk on flat ground near home and add distance as you feel stronger. Other exercise is added gradually as weight goes down, and swimming is allowed after 30 days. Ask your surgeon when hiking on slopes is reasonable for you, and carry water and take breaks, because your fluid intake is still small.

Many Rustenburg residents also enjoy golf, park runs and the outdoor activities around Magaliesburg. A park run is a good example of a staged target: first walk it, later move faster, and only when your surgeon has confirmed that exercise is suitable for your stage of recovery.

Mines, shifts and employers: planning time off in a platinum city

Rustenburg has 41 platinum mines in the area, and mining is responsible for around half of direct jobs. The city is also home to a large platinum refinery. Finance and retail follow as employers. People on shift rotations, underground work or long site duties need a detailed plan, because office work is possible after 2–4 weeks, while physical work follows after 1.5 months.

Bring specifics to your online consultation: your shift pattern, how heavy the lifting is, how hot your workplace gets and whether you can take meals at regular times. A coordinator can help you prepare a short description of your duties for the surgeon. Ask whether a period of lighter duties is possible when you return, and discuss it with your employer or occupational health staff in advance.

Shopping centres such as Waterfall Mall, Rustenburg Mall and Platinum Square are part of daily life and often of lunch breaks. They are also places full of tempting food. Decide before you go what you will buy, and keep protein-rich, soft options in your bag for working days in the early months.

Schools, colleges and Rustenburg's younger patients

Rustenburg has a wide network of schools and further education colleges, including a UNISA hub, Platinum College and the Keobakile Nursing Academy. Students and young adults sometimes ask about surgery, especially when weight affects health and confidence. A young person should only be considered after a full assessment by the surgeon, with the same BMI criteria that apply to everyone.

For students, the practical question is timing. Plan the operation around exam periods and assignments, since a hospital stay of 1–5 days and the first weeks at home need rest. Tell a tutor or student support office what you need, such as flexible attendance, and arrange for someone to bring notes.

Canteens and tuck shops at schools and colleges often sell sugary snacks and fried food. Prepare your own meals and fluids for the first months, and ask your dietitian for a simple list that you can follow during a long study day.

Getting around Rustenburg and staying in touch with your team

Rustenburg is on the Platinum Highway and has minibus taxis, including the Yarona network, and a growing bus rapid transport system. Distances between suburbs, such as Cashan, Karlienpark, Zinniaville and Tlhabane, and outlying villages can be long. After surgery, avoid planning crowded or tiring journeys in the first days, and ask someone to accompany you when you need blood tests or a check-up.

The online format helps here. Follow-up conversations with the team take place through the coordinators on Telegram and Telegram, available 24/7, so you can report a symptom without waiting for a free day. The centre does not have a clinic in Rustenburg, so ask early where you can take routine tests locally and how the results will be sent to the surgeon.

Occasional power cuts in the city are a practical point. Keep your phone charged, save the coordinator's contact in more than one app and write your medicine and diet schedule on paper, so that you are never without instructions.

Family events, eating and the months after the operation

Weddings, birthdays, funerals, church gatherings and meals with relatives are important to many families in Rustenburg. After bariatric surgery, portions are small, and you eat slowly and carefully. It helps to tell close family what to expect, so they do not push food on you out of kindness. You can take a small portion, eat slowly and stop when you feel full. Stopping is not rude, and it is part of your recovery plan.

The first months are for building new habits: protein first, enough fluid, regular small meals and the vitamins your team prescribes. Your weight will go down over time, and the result develops gradually, around 18–24 months after surgery. It is a long process, so progress can feel slow in some weeks and fast in others. Keep in contact with your team through the 12 months of follow-up support, and report symptoms rather than waiting.

Think about support in daily life as well. A relative or friend who joins your first consultation, helps with shopping and understands your diet plan can make a big difference. Some people also benefit from talking to a psychologist or dietitian, especially if eating is connected to stress, shift work or emotional strain. The centre's coordinators can explain which support is included in your programme.

Can I really have the first consultation online from Rustenburg?

Yes. The consultation is free and online. You contact a coordinator on Telegram or Telegram, who is available 24/7, and then you speak with a surgeon by video or call. You do not need to leave Rustenburg for this first step.

What BMI do I need to be 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 at the consultation whether surgery suits you.

How is BMI calculated?

BMI is the main tool for assessing the degree of obesity. It is calculated by dividing body weight (kg) by height squared (m²). Your coordinator can help you work out the number before the consultation.

What type of anaesthesia is used and how long is the hospital stay?

The operation is done under general anaesthesia. The hospital stay is 1–5 days, depending on the method and how you feel. Doctors supervise you in hospital after surgery, and the exact length depends on the complexity of the operation and how you are feeling.

When can I go back to work if I live and work in Rustenburg?

Office work is possible after 2–4 weeks. Physical work, which is common in the mining and trades sector in the city, is possible after 1.5 months. Your surgeon will give you a plan based on your exact duties.

When can I swim or play sport again?

Swimming is allowed after 30 days. Other exercise is added gradually as weight goes down. Ask your surgeon before you return to contact sport, heavy gym work or anything that strains the abdomen.

Will the operation leave large scars?

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

How long does it take to see the full result?

The result develops gradually, around 18–24 months after surgery. Weight goes down over time, and your team supports you through the first 12 months with follow-up care.

Can I get pregnant after bariatric surgery?

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. Discuss your plans with the surgeon before the operation.

What does the programme include and how long is the support?

The programme runs from preparation to 12 months of support, all in one package. A coordinator will call you back 24/7, and follow-up support lasts for 12 months, so you are not left alone after the operation.

Is Rustenburg's mining work a problem for recovery after bariatric surgery?

Not in itself, but timing matters. Office work is possible after 2–4 weeks and physical work after 1.5 months. Tell the surgeon about your shifts, lifting and heat exposure so that the plan fits your duties.

Can I hike in Kgaswane Nature Reserve after surgery?

Walking is encouraged early, but start on flat ground. Other exercise is added gradually as weight goes down. Ask your surgeon when slopes and longer hikes are suitable, and carry water.

I study in Rustenburg. When should I schedule the operation?

Choose a period away from exams. The hospital stay is 1–5 days and you need rest afterwards. Office-type study work is possible after 2–4 weeks, and your surgeon will advise on your own situation.

Where do I take tests if the centre has no clinic in Rustenburg?

Your coordinator will explain which tests are needed and help you plan to take them near home. Results are shared with the surgeon, and you stay in contact through Telegram or Telegram, available 24/7.

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