Bariatric Surgery for Patients from Zagreb

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.

Drop us a message and our coordinator will get back to you shortly to book your consultation. The bariatric surgeon consultation is free.

Send a request

Surgery is prescribed only when clear criteria are met

• 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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Recovery depends on what you plan to do. Office work: after 2–4 weeks. Physical work: after 1.5 months. Sport and activity: swimming after 30 days, other exercise phased in as weight drops. Travel and holidays: preferably not earlier 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.

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.

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.

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.