Best Weight Loss Surgeons in Dubai

What is weight loss surgery, or bariatric surgery?

Bariatrics is a medical specialty that addresses obesity and the different treatment types available to resolve it. According to the Ministry of Health and Prevention, almost one third of UAE adult residents suffer from obesity*. More than just a concern as a physical attribute, obesity is a serious health issue as studies have shown that it is directly linked to other health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, sleep disorders, high blood pressure and cholesterol, which are also interlinked with heart disease and stroke. 

For people who have exhausted all the traditional solutions such as healthy diet and exercise, and experienced minimal improvements to their weight issue, then weight loss surgery is the next recommended step. According to Dubai Health Authority (DHA) guidelines, patients must meet the following criteria to qualify for a weight loss surgery: 

1. Patients with Basic Metabolic Index (BMI) > 40 kg/m2 with or without comorbidities* 
2. Patients with Basic Metabolic Index (BMI) ≥ 35-39.9 kg/m2 with one or more comorbidities
3. Patients with Basic Metabolic Index (BMI) ≥ 30-34.9 kg/m2 with two or more comorbidities

 *Coronary Artery Disease, joint disease, infertility, gout, obstructive sleep apnea, Type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus, asthma, Hypertension, Obesity related cardiomyopathy et. 

What are different types of weight loss or bariatric surgeries?

Fundamentally, there are three kinds of weight loss surgeries and they are: gastric bypass, gastric banding, and gastric sleeve or sleeve gastrectomy.

• Gastric bypass is the oldest known surgical technique for weight loss and involves routing food directly to the intestine rather than through the stomach.   

• Gastric banding is considered to be one of the safer weight loss treatment options and involves placing an adjustable band to the top portion of the stomach that restricts the amount of food it can hold. Gastric bands are designed to last a lifetime, however some patients have removed it due to insufficient weight loss and other complications.  

• Gastric sleeve or sleeve gastrectomy is the newest and most drastic type of weight loss surgery compared to banding and bypass, and is currently the most popular type of weight loss treatment. The surgery requires removing around 75 to 80% of your stomach and resealing it, thus dramatically reducing the volume of the stomach. 

Non-invasive alternative to weight loss surgeries:

Gastric balloon is a temporary weight loss treatment where a gastric balloon, filled with either saline or nitrogen, is inserted into the stomach, and restricts the amount of available space for food. Here are a few types of gastric balloons: 

• Orbera, BIB balloon is inserted into the stomach via a patient’s mouth using an endoscope and stays for upto 4 months. Once deflated, the balloon is extracted using an endoscope, again through the mouth. 
• Orbera 365 balloon is inserted into the stomach via a patient’s mouth using an endoscope and stays for upto 12 months. Once deflated, the balloon is extracted using an endoscope, again through the mouth. 
• Elipse Intragastric Balloon or OBALON is swallowed in pill form and is then filled with water using a thin tube. The balloon lasts for approximately 4 months before it completely deflates and passes through the bowel.  

How can I find the right weight loss surgery for me?

Finding the right surgeon(s) determines everything

A surgery result does not depend on the reputation of a clinic. Ultimately, it is the expertise of the surgeon that determines the outcome. Nothing can replace the skillful hands of a surgeon who has deep insight into the human body and a patient’s aspiration. 

Research the credentials, portfolio, and other patients’ reviews of the surgeon(s) 

It is difficult for a patient to evaluate the skill of a surgeon. However, there are some standard checklists you should apply to choose the right surgeon. 

• First, they should be certified (plastic) surgeons from trustworthy institutions. 
• Second, check if they have excellently performed surgery for a similar case as yours. You may check their portfolio online or get it upon request to the clinic. 
• Third, search up what other patients say about the surgeon that you shortlisted. Platforms like DrFive.com could be a good starting point for your research. 

Know your budget and schedule 

Most plastic surgeries are elective treatments. In other words, they will not be covered by your health insurance and you need to pay for the entire treatment. Depending on a few factors we will explain below, there are quite big differences in the treatment costs and you need to ensure that treatments from your shortlisted providers are within your budget. Don’t forget to determine when you want to get the surgery prior to contacting clinics. Most sought-after plastic surgeons have a very tight schedule and the next available slots may only open up far beyond your availability. Having a clear timeline can prevent unnecessary last minute surprises.

What are the driving factors for the different prices of weight loss surgery in Dubai?

Qualifications of the practitioner

Medical groups in Dubai are diverse and numerous. Physicians come from different schools of thought and each gives their own perspective on the best treatment options. Some of these doctors are board certified from the UK, Europe or USA, while others have regional qualifications. All of whom possess a knowledge base with a specific set of training and practical knowledge.

Brand awareness of the clinic

Treatments from more reputable hospitals will usually be costlier than clinics not widely known to people. Institutions make huge investments to build a trusted brand and we, as the end-consumers, are expected to, in return, pay a premium for that brand. Certain local clinics in Dubai have established a history of providing excellent care to people, and in turn, are more expensive than new entrants in the cosmetic treatment field. 

Experience of the practitioner

It is quite understandable that you pay more for a service from a more experienced practitioner. For cosmetic procedures, you will usually need to pay more to get treatment from consultants rather than specialists, GPs and other physicians, as they have more expertise and experience in the field.  

What are weight loss surgery prices in Dubai?

Many clinics in Dubai will evaluate every candidate’s weight, BMI, health markers and the expected weight loss results to recommend the most suitable weight loss treatment. Therefore, a complete in-person consultation with a qualified physician, gastroenterologist or bariatric surgeon is necessary to quote a price for the required treatment. However, through some of our team analysis we were able to find the following prices* for some cosmetic breast surgeries in Dubai.  

Below are the starting prices* for the following procedures:

• Gastric bypass surgery is between AED 40,000 and AED 70,000. 
• Gastric band is between AED 27,000 and AED 30,000.
• Gastric sleeve or sleeve gastrectomy is between AED 35,000 and AED 70,000.
• Gastric balloon is between AED 17,000 and AED 22,000. The price does not include the balloon removal process. 

*Please note that the above mentioned prices may not neccessarily include the below mentioned costs: 

• Radiology services
• Take home medication
• Pre-anaesthetic check-up
• Any complications from the surgery/procedure
• Additional surgeries
• Additional consumables used if needed

According to the DrFive rating system*, who are the most recommended weight loss surgeons in Dubai?

Dr Ali Reza Eghtedari

(5.0)

29 reviews

Dr. Ali Reza Eghtedari

Medical Director - Consultant General Surgery
Al Zahra Hospital, Al Barsha

Dr. Ali Reza Eghtedari is a European certified consultant general surgeon, with over 24 years of experience in Dubai. He is a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (UK) and has completed over 11,000 laparoscopic surgeries, out of which, over 400 gastric surgeries and 150 gastric bands. He is a pioneer in advanced laparoscopic general and oncological surgery in the UAE. His area of focus is in hernia, bariatric and general surgical procedures. 

Dr Amit Kaul

(5.0)

11 reviews

Dr. Amit Kaul

Specialist General Surgeon/ Bariatric Surgeon

Dr Amit Kaul is a specialist general surgeon with over 16 years of experience in Dubai. He has been awarded the Fellowship in Bariatric, Advanced Laparoscopic & Robotic Surgery from the University of Arizona, USA. Dr Amit is also a member of several medical associations namely the American Medical Association (AMA), American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO). 

Dr Gokhan Cipe

(5.0)

1 reviews

Dr. Gokhan Cipe

Professor of Surgery
Al Zahra Hospital Al Barsha

Dr Gokhan Cipe  is a professor and specialist general surgery with over 20 years of experience and a newcomer to Dubai. He is both Turkish and European board certified surgeon, member of the Turkish Obesity Surgery Society (TOSS) and holds a robotic Surgery Certificate of da Vinci System, as a console surgeon.

Dr Zaid Abdulaziz Ghulam Almaazmi

(5.0)

1 reviews

Dr. Zaid Abdulaziz Ghulam Almaazmi

Consultant General Surgeon
Dr Sulaiman Al Habib Hospital, Dubai Healthcare City

Dr Zaid Abdulaziz Ghulam Almaazmi is a German Board certified consultant general surgeon and the head of bariatrics at Dubai Hospital. He's been helping UAE residents with treating obesity for the past 30 years. Dr Zaid's expertise extends across all types of laparoscopic and bariatric surgeries.