Bariatric Operations in Tokyo: Who They Suit

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.

Bariatric operations at the clinic 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.

Send us a message — our coordinator will get back to you shortly and set up your consultation. The bariatric surgeon consultation is free.

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Surgery is prescribed only when clear criteria are met

• The patient's body mass index (BMI)
• Overall health and any related chronic conditions
• Conventional weight-loss methods have failed in past attempts

BMI is the principal gauge of how advanced obesity is, found by dividing body weight (kg) by height squared (m²). Typically, a BMI above 40 — or above 35 with serious related conditions — justifies surgery. Some patients with lower values are considered for surgery too, if non-surgical options have failed.

Many people confuse them, but the goals are fundamentally different. Bariatric surgery is a medical way to treat obesity and related diseases. It changes how the digestive tract works, getting at the causes of excess weight and metabolism. Plastic surgery only reshapes the body's outer contours; it does not treat obesity or affect metabolism.

City Medical Centre carries out four main types of bariatric surgery: sleeve gastrectomy, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, mini gastric bypass (MGB) and SADI-S duodeno-ileal bypass. The choice of method is individual, based on BMI, related conditions and the patient's goals.

We use modern laparoscopic technique. The operation is done through 4 small punctures of 5 to 15 mm. Cosmetic sutures are placed, so once healed the marks become almost invisible.

Recovery depends on what you do. Office work: after 2–4 weeks. Physical work: after 1.5 months. Sport and activity: swimming is allowed after 30 days, other exercise is added gradually as weight drops. Travel and holidays: best planned no earlier than a month after surgery.

Your diet changes step by step: from liquid food to soft and then to solid. The emphasis is on protein and on cutting high-calorie, fatty food.

Pregnancy after bariatric surgery can happen, though doctors advise holding off at least 12–18 months. In this period the body becomes stable, weight reaches target values and nutritional status normalizes.

Yes, vitamins are essential after bariatric surgery. As digestive anatomy changes, the body absorbs certain nutrients less well, so regular vitamin and mineral supplements become a lasting part of the patient's life.

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