Transform Your Health: Bariatric Surgery at Nords Weight Loss Clinic

Bariatric surgery (also known as weight‑loss surgery) represents a group of surgical procedures that help you lose weight by making changes to your digestive system. The surgery reduces the space for food in your stomach. It also changes how your gut hormones function and regulate appetite, metabolism, and insulin sensitivity.

In this blog post we discuss what bariatric surgery is, the various types, and their health benefits for people struggling with excess weight and related health conditions.

Bariatric Surgery at Nords Weight Loss Clinic

Nords is an international weight loss clinic with a mission to provide medically supervised weight loss treatments that improve people’s health and restore their confidence. Our founder and renowned obesity specialist, Professor. Almantas Maleckas, brings 20 years of expertise to treating thousands of people who faced weight loss struggles and transformed their health.

In a recent interview with TV47, professor emphasized that obesity is not about laziness or a lack of willpower. Instead, it is a treatable metabolic condition. At Nords, every patient dealing with obesity and excess weight receives tailored, comprehensive treatment from a compassionate team of specialists.

Here are the key bariatric surgeries we offer:

1. Gastric Bypass Surgery

Gastric bypass surgery (also known as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass) is one of the effective weight loss procedures. During surgery, a qualified bariatric surgeon creates a small pouch at the top of your stomach, and it is then connected to the middle section of your intestine. The modified stomach can now hold small quantities of food restricting the amount of calories you consume. Further, the food quickly moves to the intestine bypassing major parts of stomach and the intestine. The rapid movement limits the absorption of nutrients. 

Our bariatric surgeons recommend gastric bypass surgery if you:

• Have a BMI of 35 kg/m2 or higher, regardless of whether you have obesity-related health conditions.
• Have a BMI of 30 to 34.9 kg/m2, and been unsuccessful in losing weight through diet and exercise alone.
• Have obesity-related conditions, such as Type 2 diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), or sleep apnea.
• are a woman struggling with obesity-related infertility and seeking to improve reproductive outcomes.

The weight loss results vary from person to person. Generally, when combined with good lifestyle habits, you can expect to lose 70-80% of excess weight within 1-2 years after the surgery. In addition to significant weight loss, many patients experience other health benefits such as improved insulin sensitivity, relief from joint pain and better sleep quality.

Gastric bypass surgery is safe and effective in the majority of cases. However, some patients may experience short-term risks and complications such as bleeding, nausea, infection at the surgical site, and acid reflux. Our team provides clear instructions on how to handles these side effects. Further, we schedule regular follow up visits to monitor you for any discomfort and concerns you experience.

2. Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Gastric sleeve surgery (also known as sleeve gastrectomy) involves the permanent removal of about 70 to 80 percent of your stomach, leaving behind a narrow, tube-shaped “sleeve” that resembles a banana.

The surgery dramatically reduces the amount of food you can eat in one sitting and helps you feel full faster. Further, it removes the part of the stomach responsible for producing ghrelin, a hormone that triggers hunger. As a result, you experience a noticeable drop in appetite after surgery.

Most patients lose between 50-70% of their excess body weight within the first 12 months after gastric sleeve surgery. Other health benefits you may experience are improved sleep quality, relief from joint pain, and better blood sugar control.

Our surgeons review your health history and weight loss goals before recommending the surgery. In general, gastric sleeve is recommended if you:

1. have a BMI of 40 or higher, or at least 35 with one or more obesity-related conditions, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus.
2. have been unable to lose weight through non-surgical methods.
3. have mentally prepared for the surgery and the subsequent lifestyle changes.

Recovery from the surgery is quick. However, you may experience a few short-term risks and side effects like bleeding, infection, constipation, hairloss, and nutritional deficiency. We help you manage these side effects through regular follow-up visits and comprehensive care. Our nutritionist and behavioral coach work with you to improve your weight loss outcomes and address any concerns you may have.

3. Gastric Plication Surgery

Gastric plication is a less invasive weight loss surgery. Unlike gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy, the surgery doesn’t involve cutting or removing any part of the stomach. Instead, the surgeon folds the stomach wall inward on itself and sutures it to reduce stomach capacity. The result is a smaller stomach chamber that can hold less food. This makes patients feel full after just a few bites.

The surgery has a shorter operation time, and faster recovery. Many patients are discharged within 24 to 48 hours. It also avoids permanent anatomical changes, which means fewer complications and, in some cases, reversible.

You can expect to lose 30-55% of excess body weight. After a few years of surgery, some of the sutures may relax and increase the stomach’s volume, leading to weight regain. In such cases, you may need a gastric revision surgery.

4. Bariatric Revision Surgery

Bariatric revision surgery refers to a corrective or secondary weight-loss procedure performed when a previous bariatric surgery fails to achieve the desired results or leads to complications.

For example, a patient who had gastric plication years ago but hasn’t lost sufficient weight, or has developed complications can undergo a gastric sleeve or gastric bypass.

Similarly, a patient who initially had a sleeve gastrectomy but later developed severe acid reflux or regained weight may benefit from a conversion to a bypass. These procedures are typically more complex than first-time bariatric surgeries and require the expertise of experienced surgeons. For individuals who feel like their weight-loss journey has stalled, revision surgery offers renewed hope for a healthier, more sustainable future.

How Nords Weight Loss Clinic Helps Patients Manage Risks Associated with Weight Loss Surgery

Nords Weight Loss Clinic in Nairobi prioritizes patient safety and long-term wellness. To manage the risks associated with bariatric surgery, Nords provides a holistic pre- and post-operative care program that includes both a certified in-house nutritionist and a licensed psychologist under the Healthy Eating & Lifestyle Program (HELP). Further, through educational resources and support groups we ensure that each patient feels empowered and informed at every step of their journey.

Summary

Bariatric surgery is an effective medical procedure to treat obesity and excess weight. Nords’ team of bariatric specialists have transformed thousands of lives through bariatric procedures like gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, and gastric plication. Our holistic care includes a personalized nutrition plan and behavioral coaching that begins before surgery and continues for years after. If you have been struggling with weight loss and would like to take the next step in your health journey, connect with us today.