guarantee
Bariatric Surgery for Patients from Zagreb
for good —
14,000 CMC patients already live in a transformed body. Your result is locked into an official contract — legally, beyond just words.
patients
experience
from excess weight
rating
Bariatric Surgery for Patients from Zagreb
for good —
Everything for the result — included
Bariatric surgery —
is it right for me?
Tick the situations that sound familiar.
From 2 matches — a reason to talk to a surgeon.
Everything needed for the result —
already included
All costs upfront, no surprises. One package, the full journey.
Bariatric surgery —
is it right for me?
Tick the situations that sound familiar.
From 2 matches — a reason to talk to a surgeon.
Reasons to see a surgeon
Both a high BMI and associated conditions can make a surgical consultation worthwhile
Medical history
Excess weight since childhood or a genetic predisposition
Metabolic disorders
Type 2 diabetes and hypertension associated with obesity
Resistance to conservative treatment
Diets and medication tried for years, with no lasting effect.
Medical history
Excess weight since childhood or a genetic predisposition
Metabolic disorders
Type 2 diabetes and hypertension associated with obesity
Resistance to conservative treatment
Diets and medication tried for years, with no lasting effect.
When is bariatric surgery justified?
Surgery is prescribed only when clear criteria are met
The role of body mass index (BMI)
To gauge obesity, doctors rely primarily on BMI, which equals body weight (kg) divided by the square of height (m²). An operation is usually warranted with a BMI over 40, or over 35 with serious associated conditions. Occasionally surgery is weighed at lower values as well, once non-surgical options have failed.
Key factors
- The patient's body mass index (BMI)
- Overall health and any related chronic conditions
- No success with earlier tries to slim down by usual means
Why don't diets and exercise work for everyone?
Many spend years on diets and exercise, and the body fights them all the way: metabolism slows, appetite grows, the lost kilos come back. As soon as it is clear that medication and diet changes alone cannot fundamentally improve the situation, bariatric surgery is the only effective way out.
Key factors
- The patient's body mass index (BMI)
- Overall health and any related chronic conditions
- No success with earlier tries to slim down by usual means
The role of body mass index (BMI)
To gauge obesity, doctors rely primarily on BMI, which equals body weight (kg) divided by the square of height (m²). An operation is usually warranted with a BMI over 40, or over 35 with serious associated conditions. Occasionally surgery is weighed at lower values as well, once non-surgical options have failed.
Why don't diets and exercise work for everyone?
Many spend years on diets and exercise, and the body fights them all the way: metabolism slows, appetite grows, the lost kilos come back. As soon as it is clear that medication and diet changes alone cannot fundamentally improve the situation, bariatric surgery is the only effective way out.
Medical indications
for bariatric surgery
Please check with a clinic doctor if you live with chronic conditions!
Indications
Excess weight
Type 2 diabetes
Hypertension
Sleep apnea
Joint disease
Varicose veins
Fatty liver disease
Reproductive health problems
Contraindications
Age under 18
Malignant tumors
Less than six months since breastfeeding ended
Acute illness or flare-ups of chronic disease
Severe chronic and mental illness
Blood clotting disorders
Pregnancy
Bariatric surgery methods at City Medical Centre
Sleeve gastrectomy
During the procedure the surgeon removes the greater part of the stomach, forming a narrow tube. Portions get far smaller and ghrelin, the hunger hormone, decreases, so the patient is satisfied faster and eats less.
Effectiveness: the method is appropriate for a BMI of 35 to 45. Average loss of excess weight is 60–70%.
Specifics: results are less lasting than with bypass surgery. Weight can return if the diet is not kept, especially with high-calorie drinks and liquid foods.
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass
A 50–70 ml pouch is formed at the upper end of the stomach and linked directly to the small intestine. It limits food intake and lowers calorie absorption because food moves along a shorter stretch of the gut.
Effectiveness: the operation counts as the “gold standard” for BMI above 45–50 with type 2 diabetes; 75–85% of excess weight is lost.
Specifics: the result endures better than with alternative bariatric methods. Associated diabetes and hypertension frequently go into remission. Lifelong vitamin and mineral supplements are required because the digestive anatomy changes.
Mini gastric bypass (MGB)
This is an improved version of the classic bypass. Unlike the standard method, the surgeon creates only one connection (anastomosis) between the small stomach and the small intestine. The simpler technique is easier on the patient and needs less recovery time.
Effectiveness: comparable to the classic Roux-en-Y bypass — patients lose up to 75–80% of excess weight.
Specifics: the operation is shorter and recovery faster. Reversal is technically possible, but a single anastomosis means a risk of bile reflux.
Single anastomosis duodeno-ileal bypass (SADI-S)
A modern combined approach, SADI-S merges the benefits of sleeve gastrectomy with those of intestinal bypass. It takes two stages — turning the stomach into a narrow tube, then rerouting the small intestine so that the larger part is excluded from active digestion.
Effectiveness: among bariatric operations, one of the most powerful — 80–90% of excess weight goes, and it lasts long.
Specifics: the smaller stomach, minus its ghrelin-producing zone, dampens appetite, and bypassing a portion of the intestine limits calorie absorption. It is an option in super obesity (BMI over 50), severe type 2 diabetes, or as a second stage after an ineffective sleeve.
Book a consultation
Call or message us -
our coordinator will contact you shortly
and book your consultation
Book a consultation
Call or message us -
our coordinator will contact you shortly
and book your consultation
Preparing for bariatric surgery at City Medical Centre
First comes a consultation with the surgeon — your medical history, the method and a recovery plan
Lab tests
Complete blood count, urinalysis, blood biochemistry, HbA1c and a coagulation panel (clotting test).
Instrumental diagnostics
Chest X-ray, ECG, ultrasound of abdomen and kidneys, Doppler of leg veins.
Endoscopy
Gastroscopy (required) and colonoscopy (if indicated).
Specialists
GP, endocrinologist, psychiatrist, cardiologist, plus gynecologist (women).
Diet
2–4 weeks before the operation, limit fast carbs and fats; the day prior, eat only light meals.
Lifestyle
One month ahead, stop smoking, cut back on physical activity and avoid stress.
The day before
End with a light evening meal; last drink 3–4 hours before surgery.
Lab tests
Complete blood count, urinalysis, blood biochemistry, HbA1c and a coagulation panel (clotting test).
Instrumental diagnostics
Chest X-ray, ECG, ultrasound of abdomen and kidneys, Doppler of leg veins.
Endoscopy
Gastroscopy (required) and colonoscopy (if indicated).
Specialists
GP, endocrinologist, psychiatrist, cardiologist, plus gynecologist (women).
Diet
2–4 weeks before the operation, limit fast carbs and fats; the day prior, eat only light meals.
Lifestyle
One month ahead, stop smoking, cut back on physical activity and avoid stress.
The day before
End with a light evening meal; last drink 3–4 hours before surgery.
Our specialists
Experienced bariatric surgeons who care about their patients' health
Ruslan S. Menzulin
Bariatric surgeon · surgical oncologist
Mercy clinic training under Vadim Gushchin; speaker at the World Congress of bariatric surgery (2025). Among the co-authors of an international study in The Lancet.
Andrey G. Ugay
Lead bariatric surgeon · surgeon
Has performed more SASJ operations than any other surgeon in the country. Part of the expert council of the national Society of Bariatric Surgeons; regularly presents at national and international congresses.
City Medical Centre bariatric surgery centre
— your path
to confidence and harmony
City Medical Centre handles obesity comprehensively. After the first exam, every patient gets an individual diagnostic program (lab plus instrumental) designed to pinpoint every disorder in the body.
A method matched to your goal
The surgical method is selected individually by our doctors for every patient. Your health, weight history and related conditions are reviewed first, so the most suitable surgical treatment can be offered.
Support that stays in touch
You are not left alone after surgery — the City Medical Centre team stays with you. Across the first year, specialists follow your weight loss, monitor tests and answer all diet and recovery questions.
Fast recovery
Laparoscopic bariatric operations at City Medical Centre make recovery far shorter. Most patients are moving on day one and resume their normal life within a week.
Full diagnostics on site
You won't need to visit several clinics. Our centre covers the whole work-up, from our in-house lab to ultrasound and gastroscopy. Quick preparation with no queues, all in one building.
Recovery after bariatric surgery
The pace of recovery is largely personal, but minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques shorten rehabilitation as much as possible.
Duration
Observation at the clinic lasts 1 to 5 days, based on how extensive the surgery is and on related conditions.
Activity
Sitting up, standing and drinking are allowed in the first hours after surgery.
Wound care
Absorbable sutures are used; they dissolve on their own.
Work
Back to work in 7–14 days after surgery, depending on how physical your job happens to be.
Restrictions
For the first weeks, no bathhouse, sauna or intense physical exercise.
Diet
A staged diet is prescribed for 1–2 months, moving from liquids to solids so the stomach can adapt.
Pace
On average, patients who follow the specialists' advice lose 10% of excess weight a month.
Stabilization
In 1.5–2 years the final result is reached, and by then the patient's stable eating habits prevent the weight coming back.
Important! City Medical Centre specialists oversee recovery, offering psychological and medical support at every stage of weight loss.
Duration
Observation at the clinic lasts 1 to 5 days, based on how extensive the surgery is and on related conditions.
Activity
Sitting up, standing and drinking are allowed in the first hours after surgery.
Wound care
Absorbable sutures are used; they dissolve on their own.
Work
Back to work in 7–14 days after surgery, depending on how physical your job happens to be.
Restrictions
For the first weeks, no bathhouse, sauna or intense physical exercise.
Diet
A staged diet is prescribed for 1–2 months, moving from liquids to solids so the stomach can adapt.
Pace
On average, patients who follow the specialists' advice lose 10% of excess weight a month.
Stabilization
In 1.5–2 years the final result is reached, and by then the patient's stable eating habits prevent the weight coming back.
Important! City Medical Centre specialists oversee recovery, offering psychological and medical support at every stage of weight loss.
Book a consultation
Call or message us -
our coordinator will contact you shortly
and book your consultation
Book a consultation
Call or message us -
our coordinator will contact you shortly
and book your consultation
Frequently asked questions
about bariatric surgery at CMC
Bariatric vs plastic surgery: what's the difference?
These two are frequently confused, although their goals differ at the core. Bariatric surgery is a medical treatment of obesity and related diseases that changes the workings of the digestive tract, targeting the causes of excess weight and metabolism. Plastic surgery corrects outer body contours; it does not treat obesity or change metabolism.
How soon can I return to work and normal life?
Will there be visible scars?
Our approach is modern laparoscopic technique: 4 small punctures of 5 to 15 mm. We use cosmetic sutures, so the marks turn almost invisible after healing.
What diet do I need to follow?
Diet changes happen in stages, from liquids to soft food and then solids. It centers on protein and limits high-calorie, fatty food.
What types of bariatric surgery are there?
City Medical Centre performs four core types of bariatric surgery: sleeve gastrectomy, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, mini gastric bypass (MGB) and SADI-S duodeno-ileal bypass. Selection is individual and takes into account BMI, related conditions and the patient's goals.
Can I plan a pregnancy after surgery?
Bariatric surgery does not rule out pregnancy, but doctors suggest waiting 12–18 months or more. During that time the body settles, weight reaches target values and nutrition status normalizes.
Do I need to take vitamins after surgery?
Yes, vitamins become essential after bariatric surgery. The changed digestive anatomy lowers absorption of some nutrients, so regular vitamin and mineral supplements turn into a permanent part of the patient's life.
Can the weight come back?
It is possible to regain weight after bariatric surgery, but very unlikely if you follow your doctor's advice. Proper nutrition, avoiding high-calorie drinks and regular follow-up with City Medical Centre specialists are essential.
Prices
A free consultation for any service if you apply before the end of the month
Service
Discounted price
City Medical Centre licences
Other services at our clinic
Bariatric surgery in Zagreb: methods, stages and package
Weight that began in childhood, a family history of obesity, shortness of breath on stairs, avoiding photos — these are common reasons people in Zagreb start thinking about surgery. A consultation is warranted not only by a high BMI but also by related conditions. The surgeon reviews your health and weight history and offers the most suitable of the four surgical methods.
The work-up is done in one building with its own lab, ultrasound and gastroscopy, so preparation is quick and without queues. After laparoscopic surgery, the patient stays under observation for 1 to 5 days depending on the extent of the operation. Within the first hours you may sit up, stand and drink. Most Zagreb patients are up and moving on day one.
What sets this programme apart is a result guarantee written into an official contract: weight loss is fixed legally, not just in words. Surgeons have 9–11 years in the field and work as a permanent team. Zagreb residents can tick the situations that sound familiar on the page and then check their case for free with a surgeon.
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