Does India have a World-Class Facility for Bariatric Surgery?

Body appearance is one of the most important considerations for the individual, as it keeps the confidence high. Obesity is one of the most common diseases arising from poor diet, bad lifestyles, and other diseases.

Bariatric surgery uses surgical techniques to treat obesity when exercise and medications are not working.

In India, this surgical option has emerged as an effective and affordable solution for individuals looking to shed excess weight, improve their health, and enhance their quality of life.

In this blog, we will learn about what bariatric surgery is, the best bariatric surgeon in India, and the benefits of bariatric surgery in India.

What is Bariatric Surgery, and Why is it Necessary?

Bariatric surgery combines bypassing the digestive system and weight loss procedures. It is done when any diet, exercise, or medication is worked out for the treatment of obesity.

The combination of bariatric procedures helps in reducing the body's ability to absorb nutrients and limit how much you can eat.

Bariatric surgery is done if you have the following conditions:

If your BMI is 40 or more than that, i.e., Grade III obesity
If your BMI is between 35 and 39.9, it is called obesity, and you have serious obesity-related health issues like high BP or severe sleep apnea.

The types of Bariatric Surgery available in India:

Gastric Sleeve Surgery (Sleeve Gastrectomy): A part of the stomach is removed during this treatment, which reduces its size and the amount of food consumed. The hunger hormone Ghrelin is also produced in limited amounts.
Gastric Bypass Surgery (Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass): By doing this, a tiny stomach pouch is made, and a section of the small intestine is redirected. It limits calorie absorption and inhibits food consumption.
Adjustable Gastric Banding (Lap-Band Surgery): To make a smaller pouch, a band is wrapped around the upper portion of the stomach. It can be changed as necessary to regulate food consumption.
Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch: It removes a small portion of the stomach, rerouting the small intestine and reducing calorie absorption. It offers substantial weight loss but is reserved for severe cases.

The Gastric Bypass or other Bariatric surgery helps in long-term weight loss. The amount of weight loss totally depends on the types of surgery and the lifestyle you will follow after the surgery.

After a gastric bypass, the typical weight loss is around 70% of the excess body weight. It drops to around 80% after a duodenal switch. A sleeve gastrectomy might result in weight loss of 30% to 80%. These outcomes are evaluated between 18 and 24 months after the event.

What are the Benefits of Bariatric Surgery in India?

The Indian healthcare system boosts the amount of distinct healthcare services with extensive quality at lower costs compared to most developed countries.

The reasons patients should choose the bariatric surgery in India are:

Effective Weight Loss: Bariatric surgery in India has shown remarkable success in helping individuals achieve significant and sustained weight loss.
Improved Health: Weight loss resulting from these surgeries can lead to improvements in overweight-related health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, and joint pain.
Cost-effective treatment: The surgery is quite affordable in India and done by well-trained and skilled medical professionals.
Enhanced Quality of Life: Many patients report improved self-esteem, increased mobility, and a better overall quality of life following bariatric surgery.
Long-Term Results: With proper post-surgery lifestyle changes, patients can maintain long-term weight loss.

What are the Best Ways to Choose the Best Bariatric Surgeon in India?

Choosing among the pools of options is a difficult task.There are some factors that should be considered before choosing the best bariatric surgeons in India:

Research Surgeon Credentials: Check the credentials of the surgeon like, such as educational background, training, board certification, experience in this particular field, etc. Check if the surgeon is associated with medical association of obesity like the Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society of India (OSSI)
Experience Matters: Choose a surgeon with extensive experience successfully performing all the Bariatric surgery procedures. The more surgeries a surgeon has performed, the more skilled and knowledgeable they are likely to be.
Patient Testimonials and Reviews: Go through the patient's testimonials and reviews to get an idea about the surgeon's success rate and the experience of previous patients.
Hospital Affiliation: Check the hospital or medical center that is best known for bariatric surgeries. Ensure the hospital is well-equipped, accredited, and has a dedicated bariatric surgery program. With these facilities, surgeons can easily perform successful surgery.
Consultation and Communication: Schedule the first appointment to discuss your case and your needed treatment. This will clear all your doubts and give you ideas about moving forward. A good surgeon will provide you with all the necessary information about the surgery.

Cost and Insurance: Discuss the surgery cost and whether your insurance covers bariatric procedures. Be clear about all potential expenses, including pre-operative and post-operative care. While cost is a consideration, prioritize the surgeon's expertise and the quality of care over price alone.
Patient Support and Aftercare: Ask about the surgeon's approach to post-operative care and long-term support. Surgery for weight loss is a lifetime commitment instead of a one-time procedure. Ensure the surgeon and team provide comprehensive aftercare, including nutritional guidance and regular follow-up appointments.
Seek Recommendations: Seek recommendations from your primary care physician or other healthcare professionals. They can provide insights into reputable bariatric surgeons in your area.

Who are the Best Surgeons in India for Bariatric Surgery?

Here is the list of the Best Bariatric Surgeons in India:

Dr. Aritra Ghosh:

Dr. Aritra Ghosh is a well-known and skilled General and Laparoscopic Surgeon in India.
He has an experience of more than 16 years and performed many significant surgeries.
His areas of expertise lie in performing Bariatric Surgery, gastric bypass surgery, and upper GI surgeries.
He is also best known for treating medical conditions like laparoscopic hernia surgeries, abdominal wall reconstructions, etc.

Dr. Satish N:

Dr. Satish N is an eminent General and Laparoscopic surgeon in India.
He has been in this field for 25 years and successfully performed many surgical procedures.
Dr. Satish has done all his General and Laparoscopic surgery fellowships from the reputed institutes.
His expertise lies in performing surgeries like Bariatric surgeries, Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery, complex hernia repair, complex high anal fistula repair, Acute Trauma management, etc.

Dr. Prajesh Bhuta:

Dr. Prajesh Bhuta is a well-renowned and experienced Laparoscopic surgeon.
He has an experience of more than 22 years and is trained in performing minimally invasive and video-assisted surgeries.
Dr. Prajesh received his training in minimally invasive visceral surgery and advanced laparoscopic colorectal surgery from Hamburg, Germany.
His expertise lies in performing stapled apoplexy, laser treatment for piles, advanced laparoscopic pouch surgery for colitis, bariatric surgery, etc.

Dr. Arun Prasad:

Dr. Arun Prasand is known as one of the youngest surgeons who successfully performed over 7000 laparoscopic surgeries.
He is the first surgeon worldwide to perform a Laparoscopic operation of gallbladder fistula with the large intestine.
His expertise lies in performing Robotic and Laparoscopic Gastric bypass and Laparoscopic Gastric banding for Grade III Obesity.
Dr. Arun is best known for performing the world's first Thoracoscopic removal of the Hydatid cyst of the lungs.

Dr. Ramen Goel:

Dr. Ramen Goel is a well-trained and skilled Bariatric Surgeon in India.
He has an experience of more than 33 years in this field and received specialized training in bariatric surgeries in France & the USA.
He is India's first surgeon to perform Laparoscopic Gastric Band Surgery and banded Gastric Bypass surgery.
He is an active member of the International Association for the Study of Obesity and the National Association of Obesity Surgeons.

Bariatric surgery in India offers a transformative solution for individuals struggling with severe obesity. Better access to the best bariatric surgeons in India and the latest technologies make India a go-to destination for those seeking to regain control of their health and well-being.

To ensure a secure and successful weight loss journey, people seeking bariatric surgery need to communicate with medical professionals and do their research on reputed institutions. This procedure has the potential to not only change body shapes but also transform lives for the better.