Bariatric Surgery: Long Term Solution for Weight Loss; Reduces Risk of Serious Diseases

By 121 News

Chandigarh 27^th June:- Bariatric Surgery provides the most effective long-term solution for weight loss when other methods have failed, said Dr. Amit Garg, Bariatric & Metabolic Surgeon, Fortis Hospital, Mohali while addressing a press conference at Chandigarh Press Club here today.

Meanwhile, Fortis Mohali has launched its comprehensive Bariatric Campaign. A team of Specialists, a Bariatric Surgeon, a Dietitian and a Gastroenterologist will be offering complimentary consultation to overweight patients. During this period, Fortis Mohali will also be organising Health Camps across different locations.

Dr. Amit Garg said that on average, people can expect to lose 60 to 70 percent of excess body weight, which can be 40 kgs  or more. Like any weight loss plan, patients have to make lifestyle changes to make it work including exercise and adopting healthy eating habits.

Dr. Amit Garg said that one of the key aspects of the program that makes it different from many others is that we take a holistic approach to our care and follow our patients for life. After surgery, we follow them closely for the first 18 months and then annually to help keep them healthy and motivated. We work closely with their primary care doctor to check weight and nutrition, recommend labs and address any issues such as nutritional deficits, medical issues and any excess weight gains so we can help our patients stay on track.

We also understand that a successful transition to lifelong healthy living requires more than just losing the weight and may require the support of other specialists, said Dr. Garg. As a result, the Bariatric Center also includes medical nutritionists, an exercise specialist and a clinical psychologist to support a patient's medical, physical and mental health throughout the process.

Dr. Amit Garg said that in addition to weight loss and improved quality of life, there are other reasons a patient and his or her physician may want to think about weight loss surgery. "Increasing evidence shows that it can help reduce a person's risk for a number of serious diseases like diabetes, heart disease, arthritis and cancer. He added that Morbidly obese patients having type 2 diabetes and other problems who don't lose weight with all efforts are advised bariatric and metabolic surgery.

He added that all of the surgeries are performed laparoscopically, which means they involve making several small incisions that are closed with only a few stitches, resulting in fewer complications and a much quicker recovery time for patients.

Dr. Amit Garg, said that the health and quality of life benefits these patients receive from bariatric surgery and other weight loss methods are tremendous,. They are more mobile, feel better about them, have less depression and have better family, social and work lives.

At the press conference some patients who have undergone bariatric/ metabolic surgery at Fortis Hospital, Mohali shared their success stories. Vinod Bansal, 47 yrs old Journalist from Bathinda, who got Metabolic Surgery by Dr. Amit Garg at Fortis Hospital, Mohali shared that he had a long history of poorly controlled diabetes with HbA1c of 14.3 and was on daily dose of insulin. After metabolic surgery he is off all diabetes medicine and lead a normal life.

Another patient, Mrs Poonam Singh, 40 yr old Punjabi Film Choreographer shared that after diabetic surgery by Dr. Amit Garg, now ahe ia not taking any diabetes medicines. She feels lighter and energetic and able to keep up with her hectic work schedule.

Mrs Dipika Swarup, 53 yrs old from Gurgaon who lost 104 kgs in 18 months and was crowned the biggest loser 2018-2019 shared that being morbid obese with BMI of 68, she was rejected for surgery in some of the best hospitals of Delhi/NCR. After undergoing bariatric surgery her self-confidence is boosted in every step ahe take and now feel very independent and motivated.

Mrs Monica Mittal, 44 Yrs, Educator from Lucknow said that she had diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol and sleep apnea and was taking 90 units of Insulin and oral medications but her diabetes was still not controlled. She got Metabolic surgery done after suffering for eight years. Immediately after surgery, her blood sugar levels came to normal. Presently she is not taking any medicines and HbA1c is now 6.5. She feels very energetic with weight loss which was a bonus of diabetes surgery.