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Dr. Nazim Alrifai

Dr. Nazim Alrifai

Laparoscopic Surgeon ·
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

25 Years of experience ·
Languages Spoken: English , Arabic

Nazim Alrifai is currently available for hospital consultations. Explore online consultation options or book an in-person visit.

About Dr. Nazim Alrifai

Dr. Nazim Alrifai has more than 18 years of experience in general and laparoscopic surgery and more than 13 years of experience in bariatric surgery. He has passed his MD and MRSCI.

Dr. Nazim Alrifai has a keen interest in bariatric surgery and follow-up and post-operation support to bariatric patients, surgical and nonsurgical management of obesity and all related problems, laparoscopic approach in surgery in GI diseases (gallbladder and biliary tree, abdominal wall hernias, hiatus hernia, peptic ulcer complexities, small bowel and colon surgery), endocrine surgery (thyroid and parathyroid and suprarenal gland), proctology (hemorrhoid and perianal diseases), and emergency surgery, traumatic and non-traumatic (appendicitis, bowel obstruction, traumatic bowel injuries, internal hemorrhage). He has worked as a Senior Specialist General Surgeon, Laparoscopic and Bariatric surgeon at Rashid Hospital, Dubai. Between 2009 to 2013 Dr. Nazim Alrifai has also worked as a Consultant General Surgeon, Laparoscopic and Bariatric surgeon at the Damascus Hospital, Syria. Between 2000 and 2009 Dr. Nazim Alrifai has worked as a Consultant General Surgeon, Laparoscopic and Bariatric surgeon at the Al Adan Hospital, Kuwait. He is also the head of the scientific committee of Emirate Society of laparoscopic and endoscopic surgeons.

Conditions treated by Bariatric Surgeon

Dr. Nazim Alrifai provides treatment for several conditions as we have listed below::

  • Crohn's Disease Or Severe Diverticulitis
  • Rectal Cancer
  • Morbid Obesity
  • Colon Cancer
  • Colon Cancer and Bowel Diseases
  • Anal Cancer

It is well known that bariatric or weight loss surgery is not a standalone condition and it brings with it various health issues. Heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and severe sleep apnea are all conditions that develop as a result of being overweight. Weight gain reversal and preventing the adding of more weight becomes a reality by the procedures performed by the surgeon.

Signs and Symptoms treated by Dr Nazim Alrifai

Your being qualified for a weight loss or bariatric surgery is dependent on these signs:

  1. BMI ≥ 40, or more than 45 pounds overweight
  2. BMI ≥ 35, and one or more obesity-related co-morbidities
  3. Inability to lose and maintain weight even with sustained weight loss efforts

Co-morbidities are also present when you are suffering from obesity and these make it even more important for you to get the Bariatric surgery. We bring to you the many co-morbidities that have a natural correlation with being obese.:

  • Individuals with BMI 40 or higher
  • Individuals with BMI 35- 39.9 and underlying obesity-related health problem like; cardiovascular disease, type -2 diabetes, sleep disorders, stroke, hypertension and chronic acid reflux.

Health issues such as Hypertension, Type II diabetes, Osteoarthritis and respiratory disorders are a common side effect of being overweight.

Operating Hours of Dr Nazim Alrifai

The doctor is present during the operating hours of 10 am to 7 pm on weekdays and on weekends from 10 am to 2 pm.. It is always the effort of the surgeon to ensure that the patients gets the best of treatment which is enabled by the surgeons indepth experience in this field.

Popular Procedures performed by Dr Nazim Alrifai

The popular procedures performed by Dr. Nazim Alrifai are as follows:

  • Lap Gastric Banding
  • Sleeve Gastrectomy
  • Hemicolectomy
  • Gastric Bypass
  • Abdominoperineal Resection

The way your small intestine and stomach handle your food is changed and this plays a major role in Gastric Bypass being one of the most effective weight loss surgeries. Their are also other weight loss procedures that can help people lose weight like the Minigastric bypass, Gastric bands and Sleeve Gastrectomy. Though few and far between, there are some risks associated with weight loss procedures such as:

• Acid reflux • Anesthesia-related risks • Chronic nausea and vomiting • Dilation of esophagus • Inability to eat certain foods • Infection • Obstruction of stomach • Weight gain or failure to lose weight

Qualification

  • Master's degree, Donau-Universität Krems, Austria
  • Master's in General Surgery, Ministry of Health, Syria
  • Bachelor's in Medicine, Damascus University, Syria

Work Experiences

  • Senior specialist General Surgery, Laparoscopic and Bariatric Surgery at Rashid Hospital, Dubai
  • Consultant General Surgery Laparoscopic and Bariatric Surgery with Damascus Hospital, Syria from 2009 – 2013.
  • Specialist General Surgery and Laparoscopic and Bariatric withAl Adan Hospital Kuwait from 2000 – 2009.
  • Consultant General Surgery Laparoscopic and Bariatric Surgery with Damascus Hospital, Syria from 2009 – 2013.

Memberships (1)

  • Member of the Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland

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Procedures Performed

Abdominoperineal Resection
Adhesion Lysis
Cardiomyotomy
Foregut Surgery
Gastric Bypass
Hemicolectomy
Hiatal Hernia Repair
Ileoanal Anastomosis (J-Pouch) Surgery
Lap Gastric Banding
Laparoscopic Colon Resection
Laparoscopic Ventral Hernia Repair
Low Anterior Resection
Meckel's Diverticulectomy Treatment
Nissen Fundoplication
Pancreatectomy
Pancreatic Surgery
Partial Colectomy
Proctectomy
Retroperitoneum Surgery
Robotic Hernia Surgery
Sleeve Gastrectomy
Small Bowel Resection
Splenectomy
Stapled Hemorrhoidopexy
Subtotal Proctocolectomy
Total Colectomy

Frequently Asked Questions

Dr. Nazim Alrifai is a specialized Bariatric Surgeon and is one of the most sought after doctors in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

No, this doctor does not offer telemedicine via MediGence

Dr. Nazim Alrifai is one of the most sought after specialists in United Arab Emirates and has over 18 Years years of experience.

FAQ's Related to Bariatric Surgeon

These surgeons help patients who have excess weight lose the weight and keep from gaining excess weight. Here is a list of some additional positives of weight loss procedures other than being a solution for obesity.:

• Long-term remission for type 2 diabetes • Improved cardiovascular health • Better mental health • Remove sleep apnea • Joint pain relief • Improved fertility

A Bariatric Surgeon help patients lose weight through three kinds of procedures either through ones which somehow lower the intake of food, second ones aim to lessen how much nutrients are absorbed and the third are a combination of both. The surgeons' responsibility is not just to complete the procedure but to also help with the post operative dos and don'ts regards the diet and exercise, direct which tests are to be done and to prescribe the right medications.

When you are consulting a Bariatric Surgeon, kindly get these tests done before and during the consultation as per the surgeons' recommendation.:

  • Fe Panel
  • CBC
  • Thyroid function tests
  • Homocysteine, C-Reactive protein, lipoprotein a – to assess cardiac risk factors
  • Stress test
  • CXR
  • EKG
  • Complete metabolic panel including calcium and liver function tests
  • B12
  • Cardiac echo – hx of phen-fen or long-standing sleep apnea or cardiac risk screen
  • Blood work
  • Lipid panel
  • Folate, thiamine
  • HgbA1C (if known diabetic)

The importance of these tests cannot be underlined enough because the treatment process is based on them. Any persons physiological status can be gauged by the urine and blood tests which are recommended by the Bariatric Surgeon quite often. Electrocardiogram, Pulmonary function testing, Echocardiogram and Cardiology evaluation provide the a good picture of the condition of the heart and the respiratory functions.

Your best option is to consult with a Bariatric Surgeon when even medical and alternative weight loss methods are not helping you to lose and maintain the right weight. You should also be someone whose weight and health parameters are right in place as eligibility for this procedure. Kindly look towards checking with your surgeon for pre operative preparations and post operative rehabilitation.

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