23 places in Gelderland are covered by this guide, together home to about 1,518,493 inhabitants at municipal level. Their residents are treated at 4 of the twenty DATO-certified centres in the Netherlands. Most places in this province fall under Ziekenhuis Rijnstate in Arnhem. With a valid indication and a GP referral, weight loss surgery is covered by Dutch basic insurance; you pay only the €385 deductible in 2026.
- Places this guide covers: 23
- Residents, counted per municipality: around 1,518,493
- Treating DATO centres for these places: 4
- By number of operations, the largest centre serving the area: WeightWorks Clinics
- Indicative number of adults with obesity: up to about 237,000
Which DATO centres serve Gelderland?
Ziekenhuis Rijnstate
Ziekenhuis Rijnstate is located in Arnhem and performed 1,010 primary procedures in 2024, number 3 of the twenty Dutch centres by volume. In this guide it is the centre for 19 places in Gelderland: Nijmegen, Arnhem, Apeldoorn, Ede and 15 more. Whether this centre is covered in full depends on your insurer's contracts; check before your referral.
ISG Rivierenland
ISG Rivierenland is located in Tiel and performed 375 primary procedures in 2024, number 15 of the twenty Dutch centres by volume. In this guide it is the centre for 2 places in Gelderland: Geldermalsen, Tiel. Whether this centre is covered in full depends on your insurer's contracts; check before your referral.
WeightWorks Clinics
WeightWorks Clinics is located in Amersfoort and performed 1,598 primary procedures in 2024, number 1 of the twenty Dutch centres by volume. In this guide it is the centre for 1 place in Gelderland: Nijkerk. Whether this centre is covered in full depends on your insurer's contracts; check before your referral.
Ziekenhuisgroep Twente
Ziekenhuisgroep Twente is located in Almelo and Hengelo and performed 477 primary procedures in 2024, number 10 of the twenty Dutch centres by volume. In this guide it is the centre for 1 place in Gelderland: Eibergen. Whether this centre is covered in full depends on your insurer's contracts; check before your referral.
| Centre | Location | Primary procedures 2024 | Places from Gelderland |
|---|---|---|---|
| WeightWorks Clinics ★ Best choice | Amersfoort | 1,598 | 1 |
| Ziekenhuis Rijnstate | Arnhem | 1,010 | 19 |
| ISG Rivierenland | Tiel | 375 | 2 |
| Ziekenhuisgroep Twente | Almelo and Hengelo | 477 | 1 |
Places in Gelderland and their centre
For every place from Gelderland in this guide, the table shows inhabitants counted at municipal level and which centre locals are generally referred to. Each one also has its own extensive page, written in Dutch.
| Place (Dutch page) | Inhabitants | Centre |
|---|---|---|
| Nijmegen | 189,871 | Ziekenhuis Rijnstate |
| Arnhem | 171,822 | Ziekenhuis Rijnstate |
| Apeldoorn | 169,212 | Ziekenhuis Rijnstate |
| Ede | 125,331 | Ziekenhuis Rijnstate |
| Barneveld | 63,926 | Ziekenhuis Rijnstate |
| Doetinchem | 60,466 | Ziekenhuis Rijnstate |
| Geldermalsen | 53,445 | ISG Rivierenland |
| Harderwijk | 50,655 | Ziekenhuis Rijnstate |
| Zutphen | 49,292 | Ziekenhuis Rijnstate |
| Elst | 49,266 | Ziekenhuis Rijnstate |
| Huissen | 47,802 | Ziekenhuis Rijnstate |
| Nijkerk | 46,283 | WeightWorks Clinics |
| Zevenaar | 45,570 | Ziekenhuis Rijnstate |
| Eibergen | 43,986 | Ziekenhuisgroep Twente |
| Velp | 43,849 | Ziekenhuis Rijnstate |
| Wageningen | 42,779 | Ziekenhuis Rijnstate |
| Tiel | 42,524 | ISG Rivierenland |
| Wijchen | 42,106 | Ziekenhuis Rijnstate |
| Ulft | 39,596 | Ziekenhuis Rijnstate |
| Didam | 37,014 | Ziekenhuis Rijnstate |
| Groesbeek | 35,700 | Ziekenhuis Rijnstate |
| Lochem | 34,213 | Ziekenhuis Rijnstate |
| Epe | 33,785 | Ziekenhuis Rijnstate |
Gelderland place by place
Nijmegen has about 189,871 inhabitants at municipal level. Residents are usually referred to Ziekenhuis Rijnstate in Arnhem; applying the national obesity rate gives an indicative upper limit of about 29,600 people with obesity. The Dutch page for Nijmegen has local details, and there are Dutch pages for the gastric sleeve, gastric bypass and mini bypass from Nijmegen as well.
Arnhem has about 171,822 inhabitants at municipal level. Residents are usually referred to Ziekenhuis Rijnstate in Arnhem; applying the national obesity rate gives an indicative upper limit of about 26,800 people with obesity. The Dutch page for Arnhem has local details, and there are Dutch pages for the gastric sleeve, gastric bypass and mini bypass from Arnhem as well.
Apeldoorn has about 169,212 inhabitants at municipal level. Residents are usually referred to Ziekenhuis Rijnstate in Arnhem; applying the national obesity rate gives an indicative upper limit of about 26,400 people with obesity. The Dutch page for Apeldoorn has local details, and there are Dutch pages for the gastric sleeve, gastric bypass and mini bypass from Apeldoorn as well.
Ede has about 125,331 inhabitants at municipal level. Residents are usually referred to Ziekenhuis Rijnstate in Arnhem; applying the national obesity rate gives an indicative upper limit of about 19,600 people with obesity. The Dutch page for Ede has local details, and there are Dutch pages for the gastric sleeve, gastric bypass and mini bypass from Ede as well.
Barneveld has about 63,926 inhabitants at municipal level. Residents are usually referred to Ziekenhuis Rijnstate in Arnhem; applying the national obesity rate gives an indicative upper limit of about 10,000 people with obesity. The Dutch page for Barneveld has local details, and there are Dutch pages for the gastric sleeve, gastric bypass and mini bypass from Barneveld as well.
Doetinchem has about 60,466 inhabitants at municipal level. Residents are usually referred to Ziekenhuis Rijnstate in Arnhem; applying the national obesity rate gives an indicative upper limit of about 9,400 people with obesity. The Dutch page for Doetinchem has local details, and there are Dutch pages for the gastric sleeve, gastric bypass and mini bypass from Doetinchem as well.
Geldermalsen has about 53,445 inhabitants at municipal level. Residents are usually referred to ISG Rivierenland in Tiel; applying the national obesity rate gives an indicative upper limit of about 8,300 people with obesity. The Dutch page for Geldermalsen has local details, and there are Dutch pages for the gastric sleeve, gastric bypass and mini bypass from Geldermalsen as well.
Harderwijk has about 50,655 inhabitants at municipal level. Residents are usually referred to Ziekenhuis Rijnstate in Arnhem; applying the national obesity rate gives an indicative upper limit of about 7,900 people with obesity. The Dutch page for Harderwijk has local details, and there are Dutch pages for the gastric sleeve, gastric bypass and mini bypass from Harderwijk as well.
Zutphen has about 49,292 inhabitants at municipal level. Residents are usually referred to Ziekenhuis Rijnstate in Arnhem; applying the national obesity rate gives an indicative upper limit of about 7,700 people with obesity. The Dutch page for Zutphen has local details, and there are Dutch pages for the gastric sleeve, gastric bypass and mini bypass from Zutphen as well.
Elst has about 49,266 inhabitants at municipal level. Residents are usually referred to Ziekenhuis Rijnstate in Arnhem; applying the national obesity rate gives an indicative upper limit of about 7,700 people with obesity. The Dutch page for Elst has local details, and there are Dutch pages for the gastric sleeve, gastric bypass and mini bypass from Elst as well.
Huissen has about 47,802 inhabitants at municipal level. Residents are usually referred to Ziekenhuis Rijnstate in Arnhem; applying the national obesity rate gives an indicative upper limit of about 7,500 people with obesity. The Dutch page for Huissen has local details, and there are Dutch pages for the gastric sleeve, gastric bypass and mini bypass from Huissen as well.
Nijkerk has about 46,283 inhabitants at municipal level. Residents are usually referred to WeightWorks Clinics in Amersfoort; applying the national obesity rate gives an indicative upper limit of about 7,200 people with obesity. The Dutch page for Nijkerk has local details, and there are Dutch pages for the gastric sleeve, gastric bypass and mini bypass from Nijkerk as well.
Zevenaar has about 45,570 inhabitants at municipal level. Residents are usually referred to Ziekenhuis Rijnstate in Arnhem; applying the national obesity rate gives an indicative upper limit of about 7,100 people with obesity. The Dutch page for Zevenaar has local details, and there are Dutch pages for the gastric sleeve, gastric bypass and mini bypass from Zevenaar as well.
Eibergen has about 43,986 inhabitants at municipal level. Residents are usually referred to Ziekenhuisgroep Twente in Almelo and Hengelo; applying the national obesity rate gives an indicative upper limit of about 6,900 people with obesity. The Dutch page for Eibergen has local details, and there are Dutch pages for the gastric sleeve, gastric bypass and mini bypass from Eibergen as well.
Velp has about 43,849 inhabitants at municipal level. Residents are usually referred to Ziekenhuis Rijnstate in Arnhem; applying the national obesity rate gives an indicative upper limit of about 6,800 people with obesity. The Dutch page for Velp has local details, and there are Dutch pages for the gastric sleeve, gastric bypass and mini bypass from Velp as well.
Wageningen has about 42,779 inhabitants at municipal level. Residents are usually referred to Ziekenhuis Rijnstate in Arnhem; applying the national obesity rate gives an indicative upper limit of about 6,700 people with obesity. The Dutch page for Wageningen has local details, and there are Dutch pages for the gastric sleeve, gastric bypass and mini bypass from Wageningen as well.
Tiel has about 42,524 inhabitants at municipal level. Residents are usually referred to ISG Rivierenland in Tiel; applying the national obesity rate gives an indicative upper limit of about 6,600 people with obesity. The Dutch page for Tiel has local details, and there are Dutch pages for the gastric sleeve, gastric bypass and mini bypass from Tiel as well.
Wijchen has about 42,106 inhabitants at municipal level. Residents are usually referred to Ziekenhuis Rijnstate in Arnhem; applying the national obesity rate gives an indicative upper limit of about 6,600 people with obesity. The Dutch page for Wijchen has local details, and there are Dutch pages for the gastric sleeve, gastric bypass and mini bypass from Wijchen as well.
Ulft has about 39,596 inhabitants at municipal level. Residents are usually referred to Ziekenhuis Rijnstate in Arnhem; applying the national obesity rate gives an indicative upper limit of about 6,200 people with obesity. The Dutch page for Ulft has local details, and there are Dutch pages for the gastric sleeve, gastric bypass and mini bypass from Ulft as well.
Didam has about 37,014 inhabitants at municipal level. Residents are usually referred to Ziekenhuis Rijnstate in Arnhem; applying the national obesity rate gives an indicative upper limit of about 5,800 people with obesity. The Dutch page for Didam has local details, and there are Dutch pages for the gastric sleeve, gastric bypass and mini bypass from Didam as well.
Groesbeek has about 35,700 inhabitants at municipal level. Residents are usually referred to Ziekenhuis Rijnstate in Arnhem; applying the national obesity rate gives an indicative upper limit of about 5,600 people with obesity. The Dutch page for Groesbeek has local details, and there are Dutch pages for the gastric sleeve, gastric bypass and mini bypass from Groesbeek as well.
Lochem has about 34,213 inhabitants at municipal level. Residents are usually referred to Ziekenhuis Rijnstate in Arnhem; applying the national obesity rate gives an indicative upper limit of about 5,300 people with obesity. The Dutch page for Lochem has local details, and there are Dutch pages for the gastric sleeve, gastric bypass and mini bypass from Lochem as well.
Epe has about 33,785 inhabitants at municipal level. Residents are usually referred to Ziekenhuis Rijnstate in Arnhem; applying the national obesity rate gives an indicative upper limit of about 5,300 people with obesity. The Dutch page for Epe has local details, and there are Dutch pages for the gastric sleeve, gastric bypass and mini bypass from Epe as well.
Neighbouring provinces
If a centre in a neighbouring province is closer to your home or better suits your insurance, you can also look there. Gelderland borders Overijssel, Flevoland, Utrecht, South Holland, North Brabant, Limburg. Each province page lists its centres and their 2024 volumes.
Aftercare from Gelderland
Expect at least five years of check-ups once you have had surgery. Take Vitalys: appointments follow at 6, 12 and 18 months, after that annually up to the five-year mark, with a blood test each time. Many centres combine visits with contact online. Comparing centres from Gelderland? Ask what can be done at a distance and what the out-of-hours contact options are. Once aftercare is over, lifelong WLS vitamins and an annual blood test remain, usually arranged by your GP.
How many people in Gelderland have obesity?
Nationally, 15.6 percent of Dutch adults had obesity in 2024 according to the Health Monitor of RIVM, Statistics Netherlands and the GGDs, with a range of 11.6 to 19.2 percent between GGD regions. Applied to the roughly 1,518,493 inhabitants of the places above, that gives an indicative upper limit of about 237,000 people with obesity. It is an upper limit because the percentage refers to adults only, while inhabitant figures include children. Regional figures are published on vzinfo.nl.
Not everyone in this group is eligible for an operation. It requires a BMI of 40, or a BMI of 35 together with a condition linked to weight, for example high blood pressure, sleep apnoea or type 2 diabetes. Other people may be better suited to a gastric balloon, medication under supervision or a lifestyle programme. Read more about ways to treat obesity.
Getting weight loss surgery from Gelderland: step by step
- Hospital care goes via the GP, who acts as gatekeeper, so register with a GP practice in your municipality first.
- Check your insurance: is Ziekenhuis Rijnstate contracted by your insurer, or another centre that suits you better?
- Online is common for the information session, which you should attend; find out whether it can be followed in English.
- Screening: an internist, a dietitian and a psychologist look at your situation.
- Operation and aftercare: a short hospital stay, then at least five years of check-ups, so travel time from your home in Gelderland matters.
Choosing a centre as a resident of Gelderland
You are not obliged to go to the centre most people from your town use. Compare travel time for five years of aftercare, waiting times, your insurer's contracts and whether information is available in English. With 4 centres serving this province, you have several options nearby. Read more about choosing an obesity clinic and cost and insurance.
Useful Dutch terms for residents of Gelderland
Eigen risico (385 euros in 2026): the deductible you are required to pay. Huisartsenpost: an after-hours service run by GPs for pressing questions at night or during the weekend. Huisarts: your GP, the gatekeeper you go through to reach hospital care. Basispakket: basic cover, which includes weight loss surgery. Verwijzing: the referral you need from your GP, as a letter.
More in English
Sources
- DATO Annual Report 2024, DICA: centre volumes
- Residents (CBS, via citypopulation.de and AlleCijfers.nl)
- Obesity rates: Gezondheidsmonitor 2024 by RIVM, CBS and GGD
Frequently asked questions
In this guide, places in Gelderland are served by 4 DATO-certified centres: Ziekenhuis Rijnstate, ISG Rivierenland, WeightWorks Clinics, Ziekenhuisgroep Twente. Most places fall under Ziekenhuis Rijnstate.
These 23 places are home to some 1,518,493 people at municipal level. A full page in Dutch is available for each one.
Yes, the basic package in the Netherlands covers it when you have a GP referral and meet the indication criteria. You do pay the mandatory deductible, set at 385 euros for 2026.
Nationally 15.6 percent of adults have obesity. Applied to the places in this guide, that is an indicative upper limit of about 237,000 people.
Yes, provided your health insurer pays for it. Think about how far you need to travel, since the aftercare runs for five years or more.
WeightWorks Clinics in Amersfoort, with 1,598 primary procedures in 2024 according to the DATO annual report.
Get a referral from your huisarts (GP) to a bariatric centre. Ideally choose a centre that has a contract with your insurer for this year.
You can often talk to Dutch doctors and nurses in English. The group meetings and information materials, however, tend to be in Dutch. Check this with the centre before you start.
Also available in Dutch. Author: Gijs Bodenstaff. Last reviewed: September 2026.