Gastric sleeve and gastric bypass by keyhole surgery.
If your weight puts your health at risk despite other approaches, surgery can help. Operations take place at the Weight Doctors® NATIONALKLINIK in Wertheim – with a medical indication, also covered by German statutory health insurance, with preparation and aftercare close to home.
60–120minutes under general anaesthesia, depending on the procedure
3–5days in hospital in Wertheim
2–3weeks off work, depending on your job
4–6weeks of liquid, then puréed food
Lifelongaftercare with laboratory tests
Typical figures from the clinics and practices. Your personal plan is discussed at the preliminary consultation.
Obesity
When weight makes you ill.
Obesity is a chronic disease. As BMI rises, so do the risks of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnoea, joint wear and cardiovascular disease. With severe obesity, diets alone rarely help in the long term.
According to the guidelines, surgery is an option with a BMI of 40 or more, or 35 or more with recognised associated conditions, usually after a six-month preparation programme. With a BMI of 50 or more, or 35 or more with type 2 diabetes that is difficult to control, the operation may also make sense earlier.
Further requirements are a minimum age of 18, no current or planned pregnancy, and psychological stability. Whether and how to operate is decided by a team from surgery, nutritional medicine and psychology together with the patient.
The procedures
What the operation can achieve.
Gastric sleeve
Around four-fifths of the stomach is removed, leaving a narrow tube holding 150 to 200 millilitres. Less volume, full sooner – particularly suitable for people without significant reflux.
Gastric bypass
A small stomach pouch is connected directly to the small intestine, so food bypasses the rest of the stomach. As well as the amount you can eat, your metabolism changes; often chosen for type 2 diabetes or reflux.
Keyhole surgery
Both operations are performed laparoscopically through a few small openings in the abdominal wall, under general anaesthesia and with a few days in hospital.
Treatment covered by statutory health insurance follows a set process. Preparation and aftercare are possible close to home at Weight Doctors® locations; the operation takes place in Wertheim. The foundation of every Weight Doctors® therapy is the Weight Doctors® MEMBERSHIP, which supports progress monitoring and aftercare with an app, a smart body scale and coaching.
Initial consultation
Your weight history, associated conditions and previous treatments are recorded, and the requirements are checked.
Preparation
The six-month multimodal programme: nutritional counselling, an exercise log, a psychological assessment, gastroscopy and a full blood count.
Indication
Together with you, the team decides on the procedure. If statutory health insurance is to pay, cost coverage is reviewed and the date of surgery is planned.
Surgery
Laparoscopic gastric sleeve or gastric bypass at the Weight Doctors® NATIONALKLINIK, followed by three to five days in hospital.
Diet progression
A few weeks of liquid, then puréed food, gradually returning to small, solid, protein-rich meals.
Aftercare
Lifelong: check-ups, laboratory tests, vitamin and mineral supplements. After major weight loss, body contouring is possible later on, for example with Weight Doctors® RESHAPE.
Statutory insurance or self-pay
Who covers the costs.
Statutory health insurance
Covered by statutory health insurance at the Weight Doctors® NATIONALKLINIK.
If there is a medical indication, German statutory health insurance covers the operation and the stay at the Bürgerspital Wertheim. This includes:
the operation, including general anaesthesia and monitoring afterwards
the inpatient stay, including ward rounds and examinations
medication and materials during the stay
during preparation, the informed-consent consultation with the doctor and the gastroscopy
The multimodal preparation programme, the mandatory aftercare appointments and the laboratory tests are not covered – these are self-pay services. Whether the requirements are met is reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Private insurance or self-pay
A quote after the preliminary consultation.
With private health insurance, it depends on your policy. Self-pay patients receive a binding quote after the preliminary consultation; the costs depend on the procedure and the length of stay.
Specialists
Your surgeons at a glance.
Operations are performed by specialists from the obesity centre of the Weight Doctors® NATIONALKLINIK at the Bürgerspital Wertheim.
Maksims MargolinsSpecialist in General SurgeryWertheim
Prof. Dr. med. Karl MillerSpecialist in General and Visceral SurgeryWertheim
Dr. med. Oliver ScheffelSpecialist in General and Obesity SurgeryWertheim
Mohamad ShalabiSpecialist in General and Visceral SurgeryWertheim
Priv.-Doz. Dr. med. Dörte WichmannSpecialist in Visceral Surgery & Specialist in EndobariatricsWertheim
Locations
Where treatment takes place.
Each clinic and practice shows on its own website how the treatment works there.
Germany
Wertheim
Weight Doctors® NATIONALKLINIK at the Bürgerspital: this is where operations take place, including those covered by statutory health insurance – in a hospital with intensive care.
Consultation, preparation and aftercare close to home at Weight Doctors® locations. Operations covered by statutory health insurance take place in Wertheim.
Will statutory health insurance pay for the operation?
If there is a medical indication, it covers the operation and the inpatient stay. As a rule, this applies from a BMI of 40, or from 35 with associated conditions, after the preparation programme. The programme itself, the aftercare appointments and the laboratory tests are self-pay services.
Do I have to submit an application myself?
As a rule, no: if you go through Weight Doctors®, the team organises the preparation programme, sets the date of surgery and bills the statutory insurer directly after the operation. The details are clarified in the initial consultation.
Gastric sleeve or bypass – which is right for me?
That depends on the findings and any associated conditions. With severe reflux or severe type 2 diabetes, a bypass is more likely to be chosen; the gastric sleeve is technically simpler and does not require rerouting of the intestine. The decision is made together after the diagnostic tests.
What are the risks of the operation?
Like any operation, it can involve complications: leaks at the staple lines with infection, bleeding, wound infections, thrombosis and embolism, and later abdominal wall hernias, gallstones or nutritional deficiencies. These are discussed in detail before the operation.
Will I need to take vitamins afterwards?
Yes, permanently. Because digestion changes, multivitamins and, depending on your blood levels, vitamin D, B vitamins, iron and calcium become part of everyday life, especially after a bypass. Regular laboratory tests show what is lacking.
How long will I be in hospital and unable to work?
Usually three to five days in hospital, followed by around two to three weeks of sick leave, depending on your job and how you heal.
What about excess skin?
After major weight loss, skin can sag. Body contouring only makes sense once your weight has been stable for a longer period. It is usually a self-pay treatment; if it is medically necessary, cost coverage is reviewed case by case.
Could I gain weight again later?
That is possible, because obesity remains a chronic disease – the body adapts, even after a successful operation. That is why aftercare is part of the treatment; further medical steps are available if needed.
Further reading
More on the topic.
In-depth articles from the group's clinics and practices.
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This was the best decision I have ever taken for myself. The whole experience has changed my life for the better. From the first consultation I felt welcomed and treated very well. I did not feel alone during the journey because the team were just a WhatsApp away and they made regular check-ups on me. Thank you for everyone at the hospital from the staff to the doctors, you are all amazing.
Weight Doctors South Africa
MMaria
Wow, was für ein erster Eindruck! Dr. Frank Gruner, dessen Professionalität von jahrelanger Erfahrung zeugt, war äußerst verständlich und menschlich (was mir sehr wichtig war). Er verstand meine Bedürfnisse, und seine Erklärungen und Anweisungen entsprachen genau meinen Vorstellungen. Die Patientenberaterin Jennifer war mit ihrem Charme ebenfalls eine große Hilfe und erklärte mir alles Notwendige und den weiteren Ablauf. Auch die Mitarbeiter am Empfang waren sehr höflich und freundlich. Ich melde mich nach der Operation mit meinen Eindrücken zurück. Vielen Dank an alle!
Westfalenklinik Fachklinik für Plastische und Ästhetische Chirurgie · Original in German
AAnonym
Ich habe eine Unterlidstraffung machen lassen und bin mit dem Ergebnis sehr zufrieden. Mein Dank geht vor allem an Frau Dr. Simidjiiska für ihre Fürsorge, Kompetenz und Empathie. Aber auch das gesamte Team der Klinik macht einen hervorragenden Job!
Westfalenklinik Fachklinik für Plastische und Ästhetische Chirurgie · Original in German
AAnonym
Ich bin rundum begeistert von meiner Erfahrung in dieser Haartransplantationsklinik. Von der ersten Kontaktaufnahme bis zur Nachsorge war alles hervorragend organisiert und professionell. Das gesamte Team war unglaublich freundlich, hilfsbereit und zuvorkommend. Man hat sich jederzeit gut aufgehoben und ernst genommen gefühlt. Besonders positiv fand ich, dass sich alle Mitarbeiter ausreichend Zeit genommen haben, um meine Fragen zu beantworten und jeden Schritt verständlich zu erklären. Auch der Service war erstklassig. Die Organisation, die Betreuung vor und nach dem Eingriff sowie die Kommunikation waren wirklich hervorragend. Das gesamte Team hat einen sehr kompetenten und gleichzeitig menschlichen Eindruck gemacht. Die Klinik selbst ist modern, sauber und sehr gut ausgestattet. Während der Behandlung wurde äußerst sorgfältig und professionell gearbeitet, und ich hatte zu jedem Zeitpunkt das Gefühl, in guten Händen zu sein. Ein großes Dankeschön an das gesamte Team für die tolle Betreuung und den freundlichen Umgang! Ich kann die Klinik absolut weiterempfehlen und bin mit meiner bisherigen Erfahrung sehr zufrieden. Wer Wert auf Professionalität, Qualität und einen hervorragenden Service legt, ist hier meiner Meinung nach bestens aufgehoben.
Westfalenklinik Fachklinik für Plastische und Ästhetische Chirurgie · Original in German
AWAndre W.
Bisher war es nur ein Beratungsgespräch aber es war sehr gut.
Weight Doctors Group · Original in German
DCDavid C.
Ich fand, dass der Arzt gut und verständlich erklärt hat. Ich habe diese Woche noch einen Termin in einer anderen Klinik, da ich mich gründlich informieren möchte; auch der Preis wird dabei eine Rolle spielen – darüber bin ich ganz offen.
QUOLE Medisch Centrum · Original in German
MMomo
Hervorragende Behandlung. Von der ersten Beratung bis zur Nachsorge hat mir Dr. Koch stets ein sehr gutes Gefühl vermittelt. Ich litt jahrelang unter einer echten Gynäkomastie, nach der OP kann sich das Ergebnis sehen lassen, mein Selbstbewusstsein ist endlich zurückgekehrt. Ich kann die Alster Klinik jedem empfehlen, der schon lange mit dem Gedanken spielt sich operieren zu lassen.
Alster-Klinik Hamburg · Original in German
AAnonym
Dr. Schubert gab mir das Gefühl, in genau der richtigen Praxis zu sein für mein Anliegen. Ich habe mich beim Beratungsgespräch sehr wohl gefühlt und verstanden gefühlt.
Alster-Klinik Hamburg · Original in German
LSLieselotte S.
Über die ehrliche Einschätzung
Alster-Klinik Hamburg · Original in German
HGHannelore G.
Ich habe mich sehr wohl geführt, das Gespräch war sehr gut, die Ärztin hat mir sehr ausführlich alles erklärt und bin mit einem sehr guten Gefühl nach Hause gegangen.
Westfalenklinik Fachklinik für Plastische und Ästhetische Chirurgie · Original in German
CKCarmen K.
Ich bin eine sehr ängstliche Person. Bei Herrn Dr. Neis habe ich mich sofort wohlgefühlt. Behandlungsgespräche, Umgang, Freundlichkeit – es passt alles. Ich kann ihn ohne Bedenken und Einschränkung nur weiter empfehlen. Dankeschön Herr Dr. Neis für die tolle Arbeit.
CGCE Group · Original in German
MLMichaela L.
Dr. Klarner ist sehr nett, hat mich sehr gut beraten und aufgeklärt. Ich hab mich gut aufgehoben gefühlt, vielen Dank!