Consultant General Surgeon Dr Sherif Awad

While both reduce appetite, bariatric surgery produces larger, permanent results, whereas GLP-1 medications require lifelong use to maintain weight loss.

• GLP-1 Medications: Achieve 15–22% total body weight loss, but much is often regained when injections stop. Best for lower BMIs.
• Bariatric Surgery: Yields durable 60–70% excess weight loss by permanently altering stomach anatomy and hunger hormones (ghrelin). Best for higher BMIs, those seeking to put type 2 diabetes into remission, or those who seek long-term sustained weight loss.

There is no "one-size-fits-all" operation; the right choice depends on your BMI, dietary habits, and medical conditions like acid reflux or diabetes.

• Gastric Sleeve: Removes a portion of the stomach, ideal for many first-time patients.
• Roux en-Y Gastric Bypass: Adds malabsorption; the gold standard for patients with significant reflux or type 2 diabetes.
• Mini Gastric Bypass: A highly effective, single-join bypass option.

Dr. Awad will review your physiology to recommend the safest, most effective procedure.

Yes, in selected cases, GLP-1 medications are used complementarily with bariatric surgery to optimize patient outcomes. They can be used pre-operatively to help higher-BMI patients lose weight safely before surgery, or post-operatively to manage weight regain. However, because GLP-1s affect stomach emptying and anesthesia, this combination must be strictly supervised by Dr. Awad's multidisciplinary team, which includes a consultant metabolic physician.

Modern medicine no longer views bariatric surgery as a "last resort," but rather as a highly effective, evidence-based treatment for the chronic disease of obesity. For patients meeting the criteria, surgery is consistently more effective than diet and exercise alone, frequently resolving life-threatening conditions like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea. It is not a failure of willpower; it is a metabolic reset.

Eligibility is primarily determined by international Body Mass Index (BMI) guidelines and the presence of obesity-related health conditions. You may qualify if:

• Your BMI is 35 or above.
• Your BMI is 30 or above with conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, fatty liver disease, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or sleep apnea.
• You have a lower BMI but suffer from poorly controlled type 2 diabetes (metabolic surgery).

Use our BMI calculator and book a consultation for a personalized clinical assessment.

There is no rigid age limit; suitability is based on your overall biological health and fitness for anesthesia rather than a specific number. While most patients are between 18 and 70, carefully screened older patients in good health, as well as younger adults with severe obesity-related complications, can safely benefit from surgery. Dr. Awad's team conducts a rigorous pre-operative assessment to ensure safety for every age group.

You do not need to "prove" repeated diet failures, as most patients considering surgery have already exhausted dietary options. However, a structured pre-operative phase is medically necessary. This usually involves a short, medically supervised "liver shrinking diet" to make the keyhole surgery safer, along with nutritional preparation from our dietitians. Additionally, some UAE insurers may require documented prior weight-loss attempts for coverage approval.

Bariatric surgery in Dubai typically ranges from AED 25,000 to AED 45,000, depending on the specific procedure, hospital facility, and included aftercare. When comparing prices, beware of "cheap" packages that exclude vital elements like consultant fees, anesthesia, or long-term dietitian follow-ups. Prioritizing a highly experienced surgeon and an accredited hospital directly impacts your safety and final outcome. Book a consultation for an exact, transparent quote.

Yes, many comprehensive UAE health insurance plans cover bariatric surgery if it is deemed medically necessary. Coverage typically requires a BMI of 40+, or 35+ combined with documented conditions like type 2 diabetes or hypertension. Because limits and co-payments vary significantly by policy, Dr. Awad's team provides the necessary clinical documentation to help you submit a pre-authorization request to your insurer.

Dr. Awad provides transparent, all-inclusive packages designed for long-term success, covering the pre-operative assessment, surgery, hospital stay, and structured aftercare. Crucially, our packages include ongoing support from our multidisciplinary team (specialist dietitians, Dr. Awad, a psychologist if needed, and metabolic physicians) to protect your results.

Yes. Metabolic surgeries, particularly the gastric bypass, can dramatically improve blood-sugar control, often putting type 2 diabetes into remission within weeks of surgery. By altering gut hormones and rapidly improving insulin sensitivity, many patients are able to significantly reduce or eliminate their diabetes medication, often before substantial weight loss has even occurred.

Bariatric surgery produces highly durable results, with the vast majority of patients successfully keeping the weight off long-term. While a minor regain of 5–10% years later is normal, significant weight regain is usually linked to returning to bad habits like grazing or consuming high-calorie liquids. Dr. Awad's structured, long-term aftercare program is specifically designed to prevent regain and protect your investment in your health.

When performed laparoscopically by a high-volume expert in an accredited hospital, modern bariatric surgery is incredibly safe, with serious complication rates remaining very low. While all surgeries carry risks — such as bleeding, infection, or staple line leaks — Dr. Awad utilizes advanced Enhanced Recovery (ERAS) protocols and fellowship-level expertise to aggressively minimize these risks.

Thanks to Dr. Awad's advanced keyhole (laparoscopic) techniques and ERAS protocols, most patients return to desk-based work within just one to two weeks. Hospital stays are typically only one to two nights. You will transition through a carefully staged liquid-to-solid diet guided by your dietitian, and can gradually resume heavier physical activity over four to six weeks.

As a Consultant Upper Gastrointestinal (GI) Surgeon, Dr. Awad performs a comprehensive range of advanced keyhole surgeries. His expertise includes:

• Anti-reflux (GERD) and hiatus hernia repair.
• Gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy).
• Groin, umbilical, and abdominal hernia repairs.
• Achalasia treatment and GIST tumour surgery.
• Esophageal and stomach cancer surgery.
• Diagnostic laparoscopy and upper GI endoscopy (gastroscopy).

An Upper Gastrointestinal (GI) surgeon is a highly specialized expert who treats disorders of the esophagus, stomach, and foregut, requiring additional fellowship training beyond standard general surgery. Dr. Awad treats complex conditions such as severe acid reflux, hiatus and paraoesophageal hernias, swallowing disorders (achalasia), and gastric tumors, allowing him to comprehensively treat overlapping issues like obesity combined with reflux.

Yes, Dr. Awad is a fellowship-trained specialist who performs the vast majority of his procedures using minimally invasive keyhole (laparoscopic) techniques. Instead of large, painful cuts, this approach utilizes tiny incisions and high-definition cameras, resulting in significantly less pain, minimal scarring, lower infection risks, and a much faster return to your normal life.

You should seek specialist surgical assessment if your heartburn is frequent, persists despite taking medications (like PPIs), or is accompanied by difficulty swallowing, chronic coughing, or breathlessness. Long-term, unmanaged acid reflux can permanently damage the esophagus and should not be ignored. Dr. Awad will utilize an Upper GI assessment to determine if your reflux is a mechanical issue requiring surgical repair.

Asymptomatic or "silent" gallstones can often be monitored, but once they begin causing pain, nausea, or biliary colic, surgical removal of the gallbladder is required. Leaving symptomatic gallstones untreated is dangerous, as it can lead to severe complications like gallbladder inflammation, bile duct blockages, or pancreatitis. Removing the gallbladder is a standard, safe keyhole procedure.

Your initial consultation is an unhurried, comprehensive medical evaluation, not a sales pitch. Dr. Awad will review your medical history, perform an examination, and arrange any necessary diagnostic tests. For weight loss patients, this includes discussing BMI eligibility, procedure options, and expectations with the wider team. You will leave with a clear diagnosis, a recommended pathway, and a transparent understanding of costs.

Yes, Dubai Healthcare City is a global medical hub, and Dr. Awad regularly treats patients visiting from the GCC, Africa, Europe, and beyond. To streamline your travel, we offer initial remote video consultations to assess your suitability and plan investigations before you fly. Our team coordinates your surgery and early follow-up to ensure a safe, efficient medical tourism experience.

We provide an elite, structured aftercare program led by a multidisciplinary team to ensure your long-term success. Your ongoing support includes specialist dietitians, a psychologist, and metabolic physicians who will guide your nutritional progression. Unlike cut-price clinics, Dr. Awad remains directly contactable, ensuring your weight loss is protected and any issues are addressed immediately.

Absolutely. Dr. Awad specializes in complex revisional bariatric surgery for patients experiencing weight regain, severe reflux, or complications from operations performed elsewhere. Whether you need a failed gastric band removed or a sleeve converted to a bypass, our fellowship-trained expertise ensures we safely correct underperforming procedures to get your health back on track.

Initial consultations can often be accommodated within days of your inquiry. For general surgery, the timeline is prompt once diagnostic tests and insurance pre-approvals are finalized. For bariatric surgery, a preparation phase of a few weeks is typically required to allow for medical assessments and a pre-operative liver-shrinking diet.

You can book your consultation at Emirates Hospital Group by messaging our practice directly on WhatsApp at +971 50 181 9783, emailing info@dubaigeneralsurgeon.ae, or using our website enquiry form. When reaching out, please mention your primary concern (e.g., weight loss, hernia, reflux), so our team can immediately prepare the appropriate clinical pathway for you.