Bariatric Surgery in Lithuania

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 Lithuania?

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 Lithuania 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 Lithuania

About Lithuania

Lithuania is an Eastern European country and is the largest and most populous of the three Baltic States. The country has a population of 3 million people, capital and largest city is Vilnius. There are only 3 Hospitals in Lithuania that are JCI accredited and all 3 can be found at the capital.

Lithuania welcomes an ever-increasing number of medical tourists each year, many of which travel for Bariatric Surgery procedures. The biggest attraction of Lithuania has to be the cost. Once you are there it is very affordable to eat, drink and get around and the prices from private clinics for medical treatment are extremely competitive. Come from within Europe on a low-cost airline and you will probably pay for your treatment and your holiday for less than your procedure would have cost at home.

Popular Parts of Lithuania

Although Lithuania is one of the lesser known countries of Europe, the country is actually a beautiful destination. Lithuania is home to incredible castles, lakes, forests, and landscapes.

• Vilnius: The capital of Lithuania is a city of churches. It is a dreamy city especially under the golden glow of summer sun. The city is often referred to as one of the cheapest city breaks in Europe. Trendy bars, hills, beautiful architecture, and fascinating history all makes this city an amazing destination. Hot-air balloons above Vilnius are also an impressive sight.
• Kaunas is the second city in Lithuania and is probably the coldest city in the country. Most tourists’ attractions in the city are within walking distance, making it a pleasant city to explore. The street in Old Town is packed with interesting architecture and hidden attractions.
• Druskininkai is filled with health spa amenities. Tourists will find countless natural attractions such as mineral water and curing mud. The city offers many outdoor and leisure activities such as river canoeing, cycling, adventure park with rope obstacles, and ski.
• Nida is a peaceful fishing village. It is a popular destination for tourists looking for some downtime, it has beautiful panoramic views. It is also home to the highest moving sand dunes in Europe. The Dead Dunes is probably the most famous spot in Nida.

Weather and Climate in Lithuania

Lithuania is at its best in summer when the days are warm and the Baltic Sea is swimmable. The country is swarming with tourists during this season. Summer starts from June until August; the average temperature is around 20 °C during the day and 14 °C during the night.

Spring arrives late, usually starts in April and finishes in May. Spring makes the country look even more beautiful with blossoming flowers and cherry trees. The temperature is usually cool.

Autumn has many sunny days and adds more color to the country. Autumn starts in September and lasts for two months. The nights in autumn are chilly, and the temperature usually drops to 0.1 °C in late November.

Winter is especially cold with an average temperature of around -6.6 to -2.8 °C. Some winters can be even colder with the average temperature dropping as low as -20 °C.

Getting Around in Lithuania

Vilnius International Airport is the largest airport in Lithuania. It connects the country with European cities. The airport is the hub for air Baltic and Get Jet Airlines. Budget airlines such as Ryanair and Wizz Air also operate flights from this airport. Other international airports are Kaunas International Airport, Palanga International Airport, and Šiauliai International Airport. The airports in Lithuania do not serve domestic flights.

Vilnius airport taxis are available and can be found in front of the arrivals terminal. The taxis are comfortable and affordable. All taxis accept payment by cash or credit card, a journey to the city center should cost around 10 EUR to 18 EUR. The city bus is a more cost-effective option to travel to Vilnius. A single ticket costs 1 EUR and can be purchased on the bus.

Getting around in Lithuania by car is the best way if you wish to visit many destinations. Lithuanian roads are among the best in Eastern Europe. The country has four-lane highways connecting Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipeda, Panevėžys, and Palanga.

Intercity buses dominate the system of Lithuanian public transportation. Buses link all major cities and smaller towns. Buses between big cities are very frequent and usually leave every 15 minutes. Bus tickets can be purchased in the bus station or directly from the bus driver. Trains in Lithuania are good value but rather slow. Riding a bicycle is a nice way to get around inside the cities. Most roads are kept in good condition. Bike hire is available across all major cities and several small villages.

Tourist Visas in Lithuania

Citizens of the European Union, the United States, Canada, Australia, and Britain are granted visa-free entry to Lithuania and may stay for up to 90 days. Other foreign nationals must apply and obtain a visa before entering Lithuania. It is advisable to contact the local embassy to check visa requirements for Lithuania.

Lithuania is part of the Schengen Area, those who already have a Schengen visa do not have to apply for a new visa to enter Lithuania. A passport valid for at least three months beyond the length of stay is required by all visitors.

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: The local currency is the euro. Lithuania adopted the euro in 2015. 1 USD is equivalent to 0.88 EUR.
2. Money & Payments: ATMs are available in cities and towns, even in small villages. Most banks will exchange your money, but the easiest way is to withdraw cash from an ATM. Most restaurants and hotels accept credit cards (mostly Visa, MasterCard, and American Express). Always make sure to carry cash for small purchases such as museums and markets. Tourists can tip 10% in restaurants, always tip with cash even if you’re paying by credit or debit card. Taxi drivers do not expect a tip, but it is common to add a couple of euros.
3. Local Language: Lithuanian is the official language. English is widely spoken by younger generations. The older generations usually only have very basic English skills. Most people know Russian or at least very basic Russian. Polish is also understood in certain areas. German is also spoken in Palanga, Neringa, and other major cities.
4. Local Culture and Religion: The predominant religion in Lithuania is Christianity; with around 77% of the population is Catholic. There are also small groups of Jews, Muslims, as well as other faiths.
5. Public Holidays: As a Christian country, Lithuania celebrates Christian religious holidays such as Easter, Christmas Eve and Christmas. Lithuania has little traditions to celebrate its national patriotic holidays. The country hosts many annual and unique festivals all-year round. Galapagai Rock Music Festival in July, Palanga Smelt Festival in February, Vilnius Festival in June, Trakai Middle Age Festival in June, and Vilnius Film Festival in late March to early April.