{"id":11357,"date":"2026-07-02T07:36:28","date_gmt":"2026-07-02T07:36:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.priora.eu\/news\/surgical-treatment-of-obesity-prolongs-life-and-reduces-the-risk-of-serious-diseases-dr-marko-kraljevic\/"},"modified":"2026-07-02T12:16:59","modified_gmt":"2026-07-02T12:16:59","slug":"surgical-treatment-of-obesity-prolongs-life-and-reduces-the-risk-of-serious-diseases-dr-marko-kraljevic","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.priora.eu\/en\/news\/surgical-treatment-of-obesity-prolongs-life-and-reduces-the-risk-of-serious-diseases-dr-marko-kraljevic\/","title":{"rendered":"Dr. Marko Kraljevi\u0107: Surgical Treatment of Obesity Prolongs Life and Reduces the Risk of Serious Diseases"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Swiss surgeon Dr. Marko Kraljevi\u0107 is a specialist in bariatric and metabolic surgery as well as upper gastrointestinal surgery. He will now bring his expertise and extensive clinical experience to IMC Priora in \u010cepin, Croatia.<\/em>
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Marko Kraljevi\u0107<\/strong> is a board-certified general and abdominal surgeon<\/a><\/strong> with a special focus on upper gastrointestinal surgery<\/a><\/strong> and bariatric and metabolic surgery. He studied medicine at the University of Basel in Switzerland, where he received his medical education in one of Europe’s leading academic medical environments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He began his surgical residency at University Hospital Basel and continued his clinical training at renowned Swiss institutions, including St. Claraspital Basel and Spital Limmattal Zurich. He further advanced his expertise in bariatric and metabolic surgery through a research fellowship at the prestigious Columbia University in the United States<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Kraljevi\u0107 is the author of more than 60 scientific publications in leading international medical and surgical journals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Croatian-Swiss citizen, Dr. Kraljevi\u0107 will now also apply his knowledge and experience at the International Medical Center Priora <\/a><\/strong>in \u010cepin, near Osijek. Since 2018, he has regularly performed procedures using the Da Vinci robotic surgical system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What advantages do minimally invasive techniques offer compared to traditional surgery?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Instead of a single large incision, the procedure is performed through several small ports to introduce a camera and surgical instruments. For patients, this means significantly less postoperative pain, reduced blood loss, a lower risk of wound infection, and faster mobilization<\/strong>. Hospital stays are shorter, and scars are barely noticeable. For surgeons, the high-definition magnified view of the operative field allows us to work with greater precision than is possible with the naked eye. The result is an equally safe and effective operation, but with a considerably more comfortable recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In which abdominal conditions does robotic surgery (Da Vinci) provide the greatest benefits?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The greatest advantages are seen in procedures involving narrow, difficult-to-access anatomical areas that require exceptional precision. These include surgery of the esophagus and stomach<\/strong> (reflux disease, hiatal hernia, tumors), bariatric procedures, and colorectal surgery, particularly within the pelvis. Robotic instruments replicate the movement of the human wrist, eliminate even the slightest tremor, and provide outstanding three-dimensional visualization. Where conventional laparoscopy can make suturing technically demanding, robotic surgery enables smoother, more controlled, and more precise movements, directly enhancing patient safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How much does minimally invasive surgery shorten recovery and return to normal daily activities?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The answer depends on the procedure, but the difference is significant. Following laparoscopic gallbladder removal, for example, most patients are discharged within one to two days<\/strong> and return to normal activities within one to two weeks, whereas recovery after open surgery previously required several weeks. In general, hospitalization and overall recovery time are reduced by approximately half, allowing patients to return to work and everyday life much sooner. More extensive oncologic or bariatric procedures naturally require longer recovery, but the benefits of minimally invasive surgery remain clear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When is surgery recommended for GERD or a hiatal hernia?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Most patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease achieve good symptom control with medication and lifestyle modification, which remains the appropriate first-line treatment. Surgery is considered when medications fail to provide adequate relief, when lifelong treatment with increasing doses becomes necessary, when side effects or complications such as esophageal strictures or Barrett’s esophagus develop, or when a large hiatal hernia itself causes significant symptoms. The procedure, most commonly a fundoplication, restores the natural barrier between the stomach and the esophagus. Although most patients continue to be treated medically, surgery offers carefully selected individuals long-term symptom relief and freedom from daily medication<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When should obesity be treated surgically, and what benefits can patients expect?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Surgical treatment is considered when obesity is severe and conservative approaches, including diet, exercise, and medical support, have failed to produce lasting results. Current guidelines generally recommend surgery for patients with a body mass index of 35 or higher, particularly when obesity-related conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, or obstructive sleep apnea are present. It is important to emphasize that bariatric surgery is about far more than weight loss. Many patients experience complete remission or significant improvement in type 2 diabetes, normalization of blood pressure, resolution of sleep apnea, and reduced joint stress<\/strong>. The long-term benefits are especially remarkable in younger patients. Studies have shown that they not only live longer after surgery but also remain healthier for longer, as complications associated with obesity, including heart attack, stroke, and diabetes, occur later or may be prevented altogether. In other words, patients gain not only additional years of life but also more healthy years. This is why bariatric surgery is now regarded as the treatment of a metabolic disease rather than an aesthetic procedure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do minimally invasive and robotic techniques influence safety, recovery, and long-term outcomes in obesity surgery?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Their impact is substantial. Today, almost all bariatric procedures are performed laparoscopically or robotically. In obese patients, large open incisions carry a greater risk of wound complications and delayed recovery, making them ideal candidates for minimally invasive approaches. The result is a lower complication rate, earlier mobilization, and shorter hospitalization<\/strong>. Robotic surgery is particularly valuable in technically demanding procedures, where tissue handling is more complex and surgical precision becomes even more important. In the long term, a safer and more controlled operation contributes to more reliable weight loss and improved overall health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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When should hemorrhoids be treated surgically?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

First, I would encourage patients not to hesitate to seek medical advice, as hemorrhoids are a very common condition. The vast majority can be managed without surgery through dietary modifications, topical therapy, and simple outpatient procedures. Surgery is recommended for advanced hemorrhoids that prolapse and cannot be reduced, in cases of recurrent or heavy bleeding, or when conservative and minimally invasive treatments fail to provide sufficient relief. The goal is to permanently resolve symptoms and restore quality of life<\/strong>, while modern surgical techniques allow for less discomfort and a faster recovery than in the past.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When is gallbladder surgery recommended, and when can the condition be monitored?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The key consideration is whether gallstones are causing symptoms. If they are discovered incidentally and the patient remains asymptomatic, observation is usually sufficient. Surgery is recommended when patients develop typical biliary colic or complications such as acute cholecystitis, bile duct obstruction, or pancreatitis. In these situations, laparoscopic gallbladder removal provides the safest and most definitive treatment<\/strong>. There are also specific circumstances, such as very large gallstones or abnormalities of the gallbladder wall, in which surgery may be advised even without symptoms. Each decision is made individually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will be the main focus of your work at IMC Priora?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

My primary focus will be minimally invasive and robot-assisted surgery<\/strong> of the digestive tract. This includes the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease and hiatal hernias, bariatric and metabolic surgery, gallbladder surgery, abdominal and inguinal hernia repair, and oncologic procedures involving the stomach and intestines. My goal is to provide patients in Croatia with state-of-the-art treatment based on Swiss standards, combining advanced technology, safety, surgical precision, and rapid recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Swiss surgeon Dr. Marko Kraljevi\u0107 is a specialist in bariatric and metabolic surgery as well as upper gastrointestinal surgery. He will now bring his expertise and extensive clinical experience to IMC Priora in \u010cepin, Croatia. Dr. Marko Kraljevi\u0107 is a board-certified general and abdominal surgeon with a special focus on upper gastrointestinal surgery and bariatric […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":11355,"template":"","news-category":[20],"class_list":["post-11357","news","type-news","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","news-category-for-patients"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.priora.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/11357","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.priora.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.priora.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/news"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.priora.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11355"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.priora.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11357"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"news-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.priora.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-category?post=11357"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}