Bariatric Surgery in Johannesburg

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 Johannesburg?

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 Johannesburg 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 Johannesburg

About Johannesburg

Johannesburg is the most populous as well as the largest city in South Africa. There is a lot to see and do in Johannesburg. Home to the Apartheid Museum, it is the perfect place for anyone who loves history and wants to learn more about the country’s past. There are also MOAD and MuseuMAfriCA that exhibit the city’s art and history. Other than the museums, the metropolitan city has a number of other things to do, such as enjoying Gold Reef City, shopping in its many markets, and visiting The Cradle of Human Kind.

Today, people have found a new reason to visit Johannesburg: medical tourism. Although it is not as widely known as other medical tourism destinations in other parts of the world, the city has seen a steady rise in medical tourists. The urban city features public and private medical centers with the highest standards, well-trained medical practitioners, and cutting-edge technology. Most of the medical centers have English speaking doctors, nurses, and staff, so there is no language barrier for foreign medical tourists. Plastic surgery, particularly tummy tuck, is one of the more popular procedures since it is much cheaper here than in Western countries.

Popular Areas in Johannesburg

While Johannesburg is not a popular tourist destination, there are a number of things to see and do in the city. The city is mostly known as Nelson Mandela’s home and has an array of astonishing museums. Those who love history and want to learn about the country’s struggle will enjoy the Apartheid Museum. It exhibits the story of apartheid through photographs, film footage, clippings, newspaper, and artifacts. Mandela House in Soweto Street is also worth a visit. It was once Nelson Mandela’s home. The museum showcases photographs, paintings, as well as awards and recognitions earned by Nelson Mandela. 

One of the most popular places is the Lion Park. The safari park offers an amazing chance to watch lions and several other animals up close. There are also other activities such as animal interactions and hand-feeding a few animals, such as ostriches and giraffes. Other than the Lion Park, Pilanesberg National Park is famous among wildlife enthusiast. The national park is filled with opulent ecosystem and wildlife. Tourists can experience a safari and spot lions, rhinos, elephants, leopards, zebras, and over 300 bird species in their natural habitat. 

Johannesburg is popular for its art and you must visit the Maboneng Precinct where you will find art-studios and shops selling art pieces. Wits Art Museum is another great place to admire African art. If you want to know more about the culture, Lesedi Cultural Village is the best place to go. Here, tourists can learn more about traditional South African culture and a chance to encounter people of Zulu, Pedi, Ndebele, Xhosa, and Basotho origin. Other places including SAB World of Beer, Gold Reef City, Holly Hill, Market Theatre, Constitution Hill, and Mary Fitzgerald Square are also a must-visit. 

Weather and Climate in Johannesburg

Johannesburg experiences a subtropical highland climate. The summer, which runs from October to April, is characterized by hot days with thundershowers in the afternoon and cool evenings. The temperature is mostly mild during the summer. January is one of the hottest months, with an average maximum daytime temperature of 25.6 °C. The summer has an extreme UV index, sometimes reaching as high as 14-16. Therefore, tourists must wear sun-protective clothing and apply sunscreen during the day to avoid sunburn.

In the winter, the city enjoys sunny days and cold nights. This season is dry, and the average maximum temperature is around 16 °C. In June and July, the temperature can drop to 4.1 °C and occasionally drops below freezing at night. The freezing temperature causes frost, but snow is rare. It is advisable to bring warm clothing during this season.

Getting Around in Johannesburg

International visitors usually arrive at O. R. Tambo International Airport, also known as Johannesburg International Airport. It is Africa’s busiest airport and the primary airport that serves domestic and international travel. The airport connects South Africa with various cities all over the world, including London, Abu Dhabi, Atlanta, Singapore, and Sydney. It is the hub for South Africa’s largest domestic and international airlines, South African Airways. Budget airlines such as FlySafair, Mango, and Kalula operate flights from this airport for an inexpensive travel option. 

Johannesburg has a vast public transport system. The Gautrain rapid-rail is safe and fairly easy to navigate. The rail also links the city center with O. R. Tambo International Airport. For efficient transport, tourists can opt for the Rea Vaya bus service that has a circular route through the city and is useful to explore the City Center at a reasonable cost. Many locals will use the minibus taxi network, but it can be pretty confusing for foreign tourists. Passengers need to know a route to their destination, hail the minibus taxi from the street, and once they have arrived at their desired destination, they need to make a hand signal to stop the minibus. 

Metered taxis are available but can be quite expensive. The taxis are mostly found outside hotels. Since there are only a few places to hail a taxi in the street, the best way to hail a taxi is by phone. Be careful because many taxis do not use meters so tourists would need to negotiate the price before getting in. The most reliable metered taxis are Orange Cabs, Quick Cab, and Zebra Cabs. Uber is also available for safer, quicker, and more affordable transport.

Tourist Visas in Johannesburg

All visitors who wish to enter South Africa must hold a passport valid for at least 30 days after the expiration of their intended visit and must have at least two unused pages. Passport holders of more than 60 countries can enter and stay for up to 90 days in the country without a visa. Other nationals not listed in the visa exemption agreement must obtain a visa to the nearest South Africa embassy or consulate. The South Africa Immigration Department also offers Medical Treatment Visa for medical tourists.

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: The local currency is the South African Rand (ZAR). 1 USD is equivalent to 14 ZAR.
2. Money & Payments: ATMs are available at every commercial center. Most hotels, restaurants, and shops accept credit cards (especially MasterCard and Visa). However, be sure to always carry some cash since there are several cases of credit card fraud. Tourists must tip car guards, but should not tip minibus taxi drivers. For bars and restaurants, 10% to 20% of the bill is acceptable.
3. Local Language: Most people will speak more than two languages, including Nguni, Sotho, English, Afrikaans, and Tshivenda.
4. Local Culture and Religion: More than 50% of the population follows Christianity and more than 20% are not affiliated with any religion. There are small groups of Muslim, Jewish, and Hindus. 
5. Public Holidays: There are around 12 official public holidays in the city such as Good Friday, Freedom Day, Heritage Day, and Christmas Day.