Bariatric surgeries triple in three years

Speaking on the sidelines of the 7th edition of Laparofit 2015, the International conference and live workshop on bariatric surgery, many doctors opined that bariatric surgery is actually a boon to a large percentage of these patients suffering from obesity and type 2 diabetes and these surgeries are now being performed in increasing numbers in India and across South India as well.

Ganni Bhaskar Rao, president, All India Unaided Medical Colleges and Private Universities Welfare Association, who himself underwent the surgery says “ I was diagnosed with diabetes since 1987 and had to take all sorts of measures and including insulin everyday. Earlier there were misconceptions about this kind of surgery and people used to think it is not safe, but after my surgery in 2011, life has taken a turn for the positive. I do not have to take insulin anymore and am leading a healthy lifestyle for the past four years”, he added. After seeing the positive results on himself, Rao has been motivating others to go in for this surgery.

Recent research also shows weight loss surgery may be a safe treatment option for individuals who are mildly obese or overweight and suffering from uncontrolled diabetes. Previous studies had shown that weight-loss surgery improves type 2 diabetes in nearly 90 percent of patients. Bariatric surgery is associated with long-term survival and improved quality of life in patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes. Weight-loss surgery is often considered a treatment for people who are severely obese – those who have a body mass index or BMI, of 35 or more.