Bariatric Surgery in Berlin

Bariatric surgery is a group of weight-loss surgeries that involves making changes to the digestive system, some of which are non-reversible. The idea behind these types of surgeries is to help patients lose weight by either limiting the amount of food they can consume/digest at any one time or reducing their body’s ability to absorb nutrients. Some procedures do both. 

Bariatric surgeries should only ever be the final option when diet and exercise have proved inadequate and there are now serious health concerns caused by a person's weight. In general, these surgeries can only be an option for patients whose body mass index (BMI) is 40 or higher (extreme obesity). In certain cases, patients whose BMI is 30 to 39.9 may qualify for certain types of bariatric surgery if they have serious weight-related problems, such as type 2 diabetes.

The three most common types of Bariatric Surgeries are as follows:

1. Gastric Sleeve – The most common surgery, in which about 80% of the stomach is irreversibly removed, resulting in a sleeve or tube-like structure. This smaller stomach will not be able to hold as much food and produces less of the hormone that regulates appetite (ghrelin), which can lessen the patient’s desire to eat. 
2. Gastric Bypass – A more complicated procedure in which the stomach is divided into two parts; a small upper pouch and a large lower ‘remnant’ pouch. The small intestine is rearranged to bypass the large pouch. As a result, the volume of the stomach is significantly reduced. This causes food to go into the small upper pouch of the stomach and then directly into the small intestine. The small upper pouch can only hold around an ounce of food. Gastric Bypass is typically not reversible. 
3. Gastric Band – Involves an inflatable silicone device that is fitted around the top portion of the stomach to create a smaller stomach pouch. This procedure causes the patient to feel fuller with less food but still allows the body to digest food as usual, without malabsorption. The device can be removed when the patient reaches their desired weight.

The bariatric surgeries mentioned above are typically performed laparoscopically, in which the surgeon creates around one to five small incisions in the abdomen to insert a laparoscope (a long narrow tube with a camera) and surgical tools. The patients are usually given a general anesthetic, so they will not feel anything throughout the surgery.

How Long Should I Stay in Berlin?

After bariatric surgery, an overnight stay in the hospital is usually required. In some cases, you may need to stay longer (around 3 to 5 days). However, it is not advisable to leave Berlin as soon as you are discharged from the hospital. Stay at least 10 to 14 days following your surgery for initial recovery and follow-up checkups. During the follow-up checkups, your surgeon will remove your stitches and check your overall condition.

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

The recovery time may take around 3 to 6 weeks until you are allowed to go back to your normal activities, including work, with some restrictions. You must avoid heavy work and strenuous activities, such as lifting, pushing, or carrying heavy loads for at least the first three months after surgery. You should also avoid sitting and standing without moving for long periods to avoid blood clots forming in your legs.

What Aftercare is Required?

You will be given a special diet plan immediately after your surgery, as well as detailed post-operative instructions. Make sure to follow the diet plan and instructions to avoid complications and speed up your recovery. In order to maximize and maintain weight loss, it is important that you commit to healthy eating and regular exercise. There may be restrictions on how much food you can consume. You may also need to change your eating habits, such as eating 6 small meals instead of 3 large meals each day. You should take vitamins and mineral supplements to ensure proper nutrition. 

What's the Success Rate?

The success rates vary for each of the different types of bariatric surgery. In general, within the first six months following the surgery, most patients lose around 30% to 55% of their excess weight. Then, as early as 12 months after surgery, most patients lose over 70% of their excess weight. Patients could also maintain a 50% to 60% loss of excess weight for 10 to 14 years after their bariatric surgery. Although the success rates are high, there are risks associated with bariatric surgery, such as bleeding, deep vein thrombosis, infections, spleen injury, stenosis, and infections.

Are there Alternatives?

There is a non-surgical Bariatric procedure, known as the Gastric Balloon. This involves an inflatable device that is temporarily inserted into the stomach via endoscopic placement. A sizable area of the stomach is obstructed by the balloon or balloons, thus reducing the amount of food it can contain at any one time, leading to eventual weight loss. The balloons are usually removed after 6 or 12 months. 

If you cannot or do not want to undergo any surgery or medical procedure, you may be able to work with a doctor who is experienced in treating extreme obesity and a dietician as the alternative. They may recommend you to change your diet, adding physical activity, and prescribe medications.

Bariatric Surgery in and around Berlin

About Berlin

Berlin is the capital and the largest city of Germany and with over 3.7 million inhabitants; it is the second-most populous city of the European Union after London. It is an alpha city of culture, politics, media, and science. The metropolitan city is also a popular tourist destination, thanks to its rich history, vibrant culture, lively parties, delightful food, and incredible architecture.  

Today, Berlin is one of the most popular destinations for medical tourism. The number of medical tourists coming to the city increases each year. Most of them travel from Poland, the Netherlands, France, and the Middle East. Some of the more popular treatments are oncology, cardiology, dentistry, and even tummy tuck. Although the cost is considerably higher than the neighboring countries such as Hungary, medical tourists still come for high-quality treatment with cutting-edge technology. Thousands of medical tourists prefer Berlin for the following reason:

• A patient-focused health-care system with a wide range of treatment.
• Qualified doctors, surgeons, nurses, and other medical practitioners. 
• Hospitals equipped with modern technology.
• Higher quality treatments, care, and services.
• Attractive destination and environment, perfect for rejuvenating and recovery.

Popular Areas in Berlin

As a famous tourist destination, Berlin has numerous attractions to see and many things to do. Whether you want to indulge in its culture, eat its food, or have a non-stop party, there will always be something for you.

• Museum Island (Museumsinsel) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a unique group of five world-renowned museums and it is the perfect place for those who love history and culture. From Ancient Egyptians, Roman Antiquity, the civilizations of the ancient Greek, Christian, and Islamic arts, to 19th Century European Art is available to see in the museums. 
• Brandenburg Gate is Berlin’s most famous landmark. This 18th-century neoclassical monument used to symbolize divided Germany during the cold war since the Berlin Wall shut off access to the gate for both East and West Germans. Now, it has turned into a symbol of unity.
• Berlin Wall Memorial is located in the middle of the city where East and West were once divided. The memorial extends along 1.4 kilometers of the former border strip and contains the last piece of the Berlin Wall. The historical remnants and traces of borders are preserved on display so visitors can see and learn more about the history behind it. 
• Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom) is the biggest church building in Berlin. The architecture and interior will leave visitors in awe. The architect, Julius Raschdorff, used the style of the Italian High Renaissance and Baroque elements. The interior is magnificent with marble columns and golden ornaments in abundance.
• Glass Dome of the Reichstag is an architectural masterpiece constructed on top of the rebuilt Reichstag building. The rooftop terrace and dome offer an outstanding view of the parliamentary and government district as well as Berlin’s skyline. There is also a restaurant on the rooftop.

Weather and Climate in Berlin 

Just like the rest of Germany, Berlin enjoys four distinct seasons, making it a year-round destination for tourists. Spring starts around March and ends in May. This season is characterized by the arrival of cherry blossoms and the increase of the temperature. The temperature is around 4.3 °C in early March and will get as warm as 19.4 °C in May.

Summer runs from June to August with an average temperature of 24 °C but can get as high as 30 °C in the hottest days. This season is the peak of tourism because people can enjoy outdoor activities, so prices can be a lot higher than usual.

The months of September and November are Autumn. The weather in this season is similar to summer, which is warm and pleasant. However, the temperature can drop significantly in late November. Tourists usually visit the city during autumn for the Oktoberfest.

Winter in the city can be freezing, cloudy, and wet. The temperature can plummet to -10 °C on the coldest days. The city is generally very festive during this season, thanks to the Christmas spirit. 

Getting Around in Berlin

Berlin has two main airports: Berlin Tegel Airport and Berlin Schönefeld Airport. The main international airport is the Berlin Tegel Airport located in the northwest. The airport serves domestic flights to other cities in Germany and international flights to almost every major city around the globe. Berlin Schönefeld Airport is the secondary airport that mainly serves budget airlines such as EasyJet and Ryanair. It is also an international airport that operates domestic and international flights. To get to the city center from both airport, bus, train, taxi or car are available. 

To get around Berlin, there are various transportation modes to choose from. The main means of transport in the capital is the U-Bahn system, which comprises 9 metro lines and 173 stations. During peak hours, trains run every two to five minutes and every ten minutes in the evening and on Sundays. Along with the U-Bahn, the S-Bahn system is also one of the main means of transport. It has 15 lines serving 166 stations and has a longer average distance between station than the U-Bahn. 

Tourists can also ride the tram and the tram lines mostly operate in the eastern neighborhoods since the tram lines in the former West Berlin were replaced by bus and U-Bahn. The tram lines operate 24 hours a day in some areas. 

The bus in Berlin has around 151 lines running every 10 minutes for 24 hours. The buses also replace metro trains during closing hours. Taxis can be found easily enough around the city, with more than 7,000 taxicabs. The taxis can be identified by the beige or ivory color. The base fare is 3.90 EUR and tourists can hail the taxis from the street, by phone, or via an app. Other transportation such as Ferry, car sharing, and e-scooter is also available.

Tourist Visas in Berlin

The citizens of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Poland, the United States, and Switzerland can enter and stay in Berlin for up to 90 days. Since Germany is a member of the European Union, citizens from other European Union countries do not need to obtain a visa to enter. Citizens of other countries need a Schengen Visa. It is advisable to always check the requirements for Germany Visa Application before applying.

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: The official currency is the euro (EUR). 1 USD is equivalent to 0.81 EUR.
2. Money & Payments: Tourists can find ATMs almost everywhere within the city. Although credit card acceptance is growing, remember that cash is king in the city. Therefore, it is best to always carry some cash. Note that it is considered rude to leave a tip on the table. You should tell the server the total amount you want to pay. For a good restaurant service, a 10% tip is acceptable. For taxis, tourists can tip 10%, rounding to a full euro.
3. Local Language: German is the official language. Most people in the city will speak English, in hotels, restaurants, and shops.
4. Local Culture and Religion: Over 60% of Berlin’s population has no religious affiliation, while 30% identified as Christian.
5. Public Holidays: As most of German, Berlin celebrates major Christian religious holidays such as Easter and Christmas.