Minimal Access Surgery (MAS) introduced a sweeping revolution in surgical practice ever since its dramatic introduction more than two decades ago. India was no exception and it was not long before several committed, enthusiastic surgeons ensured that the technique spread to all corners of the country.

 

One of the thrust areas of the centre is Bariatric Surgery performed by Minimal access techniques, for patients with Morbid Obesity. Surgery is the treatment option in these patients with an extreme degree of obesity. Bariatric surgery helps these patients lose weight and maintain excess weight loss, which ameliorates life threatening associated morbid conditions like diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease and obstructive sleep apnoea. Morbid obesity is a modern day scourge severely straining our health system. The centre is one of the leading, bariatric centres in East Delhi, with serious focus on managing morbid obesity. The centre offers a holistic approach to obesity care with a special campaign of Let's Fight the Fat. This initiative involves multi disciplinary integration of various specialties such as - Endocrinology, Internal Medicine, Cardiology, Pulmonology, Nutritionist, Sleep Medicine, Physiotherapy, Anaesthesia, Counsellors etc. The centre conducts regular 'Obesity Support Group' meetings, where people suffering from obesity are able to interact and gain health-empowering knowledge from experts and share experiences of those who have been successfully treated. 

 
Obesity

Obesity results from the excessive accumulation of fat that exceeds the body's skeletal and physical standards. According to the United States National Institute of Health (NIH), an increase in 20% or more above your ideal body weight is the point at which excess weight becomes a health risk.

 

Indian bodies and genetics are different from their western counterparts. Indians suffer from abdominal obesity compared to people in the west whose bodies are uniformly obese. Studies say that India will become the global diabetes capital by 2050 if the abdominal and lower limb obesity and metabolic syndrome are not arrested.


For every 10 extra kilograms above the stipulated body weight (measured according to height), life expectancy of a person reduces by three years.

 

What is morbid or clinically severe obesity?

Obesity becomes morbid when it reaches the point of significantly increasing the risk of one or more obesity-related health conditions (also known as co-morbidities). This results either in significant physical disability or even death. Morbid obesity is a serious and chronic disease, and its symptoms build slowly over an extended period of time.

 

What are the risks of obesity?

Obesity is a risk factor for life-threatening diseases, including:

 

  • Diabetes
  • High Blood Pressure (hypertension)
  • Heart Disease
  • Obstructive Sleep Apnoea
  • Stroke
  • Heartburn or Acid Reflux Disease (GERD)
  • Cancer (in women: endometrial, gallbladder, cervical and uterine; in men: colorectal and prostate)

 

Studies show that the risk of death from these conditions drops significantly after weight loss.

 

In addition, obesity contributes to numerous other medical conditions, including:

  • Osteoarthritis and Gout
  • Gallbladder Disease and Gallstones
  • High-Risk Pregnancy
  • Hypoventilation (Breathing Disorders)
  • Infertility
  • Psychological Disorders/Social Impairments
  • Incontinence
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
  • Low Back Pain
  • Degenerative Disc Disease

Six months after surgery for obesity, patients often find they no longer need medications for many of these conditions. Also, many women struggling with infertility before surgery find that conception is possible after weight loss.

 

Types of Bariatric Surgery:

  • Gastric Banding
  • Gastric Bypass
  • Sleeve Gastrectomy