NewZNew (S A S Nagar) : For 61-year-old Mrs Manju Seth, a resident of Amravati Enclave, life has taken a complete turn in the last couple of months. On January 5, she underwent Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy, a form of Bariatric Surgery, and has since lost 22 Kg. But more than the weight, this sexagenarian has been able to successfully get off insulin therapy due to the weight loss.
Along with Manju Seth, many patients who’ve been operated upon by Dr Amit Garg, Bariatric & Metabolic Surgeon at Fortis Hospital Mohali, addressed mediapersons here on Tuesday.
Dr Garg (MS, FMAS, FMAMBS, FBMS – Taiwan) said, “Obesity has doubled worldwide since 1980 and close to 40% world’s adult population were obese in 2014. Though obesity is preventable, many fail to fight it. Punjab has one of the highest burden of obesity in the country, all thanks to the fat-rich diet and sedentary lifestyle.”
Listing the major risk factors associated with obesity, Dr Garg said these include diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea, acid reflux, hypertension and even cancer. “People with a BMI (Body Mass Index) of over 30 are obese. Weight-loss management includes medical therapy, behavior & lifestyle medication, and finally, bariatric surgery,” he added.
Like Mrs Manju Seth fought insulin dependency with bariatric surgery, Mrs Prabha Jain, 62, underwent Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy after her knee joints started giving her trouble, despite having them replaced. “I got both my knee joints replaced two years ago. However, these could not bear the excess weight and I was bedridden again and my weight increased to 130 Kg. though I wanted to get revision knee surgery, the doctor advised me to first lose weight, and I underwent the bariatric surgery,” Mrs Jain said. She has since lost close to 30 Kg.
For people who are severely and morbidly obese (BMI over 35), bariatric surgery today is not only the treatment of choice but also the only long-term effective therapy in the management of morbid obesity, said Dr Garg.
“At our centre for diabetic and metabolic surgery, patients have hugely benefitted from the world-class treatment available here. Due to the minimally-invasive surgery and skilled surgeons & team, there is no ICU stay even after such a major surgery. Also, the patients are able to walk on the same day as the surgery and are not required to stay for more than three days,” said Mr Abhijit Singh, Facility Director, Fortis Hospital Mohali.
Mr Harminder Pal Singh Kharbanda, 36-year-old from Yamunanagar, has lost over 35 Kg after Dr Garg operated upon him in October. “I have hugely benefitted from this surgery. Most of my medical problems have been settled just by losing weight. I was detected with diabetes in August, when I was 157 Kg. Due to the surgery, I have been able to fight diabetes as well,” he said.
Similarly, Ms Rosy Phull, a 42-year-old resident of Chandigarh, underwent the Bariatric Surgery in September to fight lifestyle-related disorders. She has been able to lose over 20 Kg.
Dr Sanjeev Mittal, a doctor from Moga, underwent the surgery at Fortis in July. He was 126 Kg at that time. He had severe sleep apnea and diabetes, due to which he was put on huge dose of insulin therapy. Being a doctor, he knew these problems were related to obesity and that he had to do something to get healthy. After he underwent the surgery, Dr Mittal not only lost over 26 Kg, but also gained energy and good health. The recovery has been absolutely smooth and he started going to work very soon after the operation,” Dr Garg said.
The indications of Bariatric Surgery include 32.5 BMI or greater with co-morbidities, 37.5 BMI or greater even without any co-morbidities, age is between 18 and 65, failed attempts at weight loss for at least six months, no psychological contraindications, understanding surgery/risks and compliance with post-surgery diet and exercise requirements.
The kinds of bariatric surgery performed at Fortis Hospital Mohali include Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy, Laparoscopic Greater Curvature Plication, Mini Gastric Bypass and Laparoscopic roux-en-y gastric bypass, among others.