About Dr. Nazim Alrifai

Trusted Bariatric Surgeon in Dubai

Where Surgical Excellence Meets Profound Human Connection

0
Years in Bariatric Surgery
0
Surgeon of Excellence
0
Students Mentored
About Dr. Nazim Alrifai

They ask me who I am.

A bariatric surgeon in Dubai? An artist? A teacher? A writer?

I’ve performed over 4,000 surgeries, a number that sounds vast even to me. But in the quiet moments before a procedure, that number fades into insignificance. I have never seen my patients as numbers on a chart or cases in a textbook; I remember their stories, their fears, and the incredible strength they carry into my office.

I treat bodies, yes—that is the craft I have honed for decades. But before my hands ever touch a scalpel, I make a point to sit, listen, and truly look into their eyes. In that space, I am not just a surgeon diagnosing an ailment; I am a witness to their journey. I’ve learned that a tremor in the hand can tell you more than a lab result, and the silence between words can reveal a fear that no MRI can capture. I don’t just treat the disease that presents itself; I try to understand the life it has disrupted and the roots from which it grew.

After all, not all pain starts in the body, and not all healing comes from medicine. Sometimes, the most potent prescription is validation—the simple act of acknowledging someone’s suffering. It is a lesson I am passionate about passing on. I teach the future generation of doctors to master their technical skills, but never at the expense of their humanity. I urge them to remember that behind every diagnosis is a person hoping to be seen.

So, for today, don’t think of me as “Doctor.” Think of me as a friend, someone who understands that healing is not an event, but a process. Someone who sits with you until the fear softens.

Professional Background

Professional Background of an Expert Laparoscopic Surgeon

From Damascus to Dubai, my career has been defined by an unwavering commitment to advancing surgical care while maintaining the human touch that transforms patient outcomes.

Current Practice at Al Zahra Hospital Dubai

Since February 2023, I serve as a Specialist General Surgeon at Al Zahra Hospital, Dubai, performing advanced bariatric, laparoscopic, and robotic surgeries. Simultaneously, I maintain my role as a Visiting Consultant General Surgeon in Muscat, Oman, extending world-class surgical expertise beyond UAE borders.

My practice is built on a foundation of continuous innovation—from pioneering minimally invasive techniques to integrating robotic-assisted precision surgery, always with patient safety and optimal outcomes as the paramount priority.

Academic Contributions & Surgical Education

As an Adjunct Assistant Professor at international and national medical institutions, including the University of Sharjah and Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, I am deeply invested in shaping the next generation of surgeons.

I also serve as Chairman of the Scientific Committee of the Emirates Society of Endoscopic & Laparoscopic Surgery and hold the position of ATLS Instructor Candidate, reflecting my commitment to surgical education and trauma care excellence.

My practice is built on a foundation of continuous innovation—from pioneering minimally invasive techniques to integrating robotic-assisted precision surgery, always with patient safety and optimal outcomes as the paramount priority.

Professional Certifications & Memberships

images__1_-removebg-preview
karl-landsteiner-privatuniversitat-logo-png_seeklogo-507266-removebg-preview
DHA-eds-removebg-preview
NB-COERS-540-removebg-preview
ifso-ec-v1-logo-removebg-preview
RCSI-Logo-Hompage
unnamed

Milestones of Excellence

 A Journey in Weight Loss Surgery

2023 – Present

Al Zahra Hospital, Dubai

Specialist General Surgeon performing advanced bariatric, laparoscopic, and robotic procedures. Visiting Consultant in Muscat, Oman.

2017 – 2020

Zulekha Hospital, Sharjah

“Center of Excellence” certification by the Surgical Review Corporation (SRC), USA. Personally certified as a Surgeon of Excellence in Metabolic Bariatric Surgery.

2013 – 2017

Rashid Hospital, Dubai

Senior Specialist in General Surgery. Key member of the bariatric surgery team at the UAE’s largest referral center for complex bariatric complications, managing 10–15 high-end cases weekly.

2009 – 2013

Damascus Assembly Hospital, Syria

Consultant General Surgeon. Led advanced laparoscopic unit, supervised postgraduate training, and managed critical wartime trauma cases during the Syrian conflict.

2000 – 2009

Al-Adan Hospital, Kuwait

Registrar and Acting Senior Registrar. Established expertise in bariatric surgery with consistent weekly procedures. Pioneered morbid obesity management protocols.

1994 – 1999

Syrian Ministry of Health

Residency in General Surgery. Completed comprehensive surgical training culminating in MD Specialty degree in General Surgery (1999).
Testimonials

What our clients say
about Dr Nazim Alrifai

0
Surgeries
0
Years Experience
0
Students
Contact

Book an Appointment

Explore interviews, articles, and expert features that highlight my journey in modern bariatric surgery.