FAQ

Some Common Questions asked about Bariatric Surgery

1. Who should undergo surgery ?

• Patients with BMI > 37.5 without any diseases.
• Persons with BMI > 32.5 with any 2 comorbid diseases.

i.e; Diabetes, hypertension, infertility, joint pains, obstructive sleep apnea, hyperlipedemia, fatty liver, hyperuricemia, impaired sexual function.

• Persons with BMI > 27.5 with uncontrolled comorbidities even with best medical management for example – Person with uncontrolled blood sugar levels even with insulin & antidiabetic medications.
• Age between 18-65 years and well motivated person.

1. Who should not undergo surgery ?

• Patients with chronic alcoholism, substance abuse.
• Patients unfit for general anaesthesia, portal hypertension.
• Unmotivated persons, severe psychiatric illness.

1. How does Diabetes Mellitus get controlled after Bariatric & Metabolic Surgery ?

• Duodenal exclusion via surgery improves pancreatic function.
• As the food transit time is shortened i.e. food is delivered early into small intestine, GLP-1 hormonal levels rise & this controls sugar via pancreas.
• Surgical procedure reduces weight which reduces insulin resistance.

1. How is this surgery performed ?

This is performed laparoscopically under general anaesthesia. The patient has 3-5 small 1-2cm incisions on abdomen. Laparoscopic surgery also known as key hole surgery has an advantage of less pain, better cosmesis, early recovery & discharge.

Patient needs to do some preliminary investigations followed by a liquid diet regime for 3 days to 7 days. Hospitalization is for 3-5 days & patient can resume work within 10-15 days.

1. Is this same as liposuction ?

Liposuction refers to procedures where superficial abdominal fat is removed. Mainly done who require cosmesis. Weight loss expected is less.

Bariatric surgery is different from liposuction. It is a Gastro Intestinal Surgery which produces significant weight loss.

What are the side effects of surgery?

This surgery has risks as any other laparoscopic surgery. There is a small <1% Risk of anastomotic leak & bleeding. Modern anesthesia has made this procedure safe.

Few patients may have skin laxity or nutritional deficiencies if adequate protein intake & diet is not followed.

1. How much weight loss is expected ?

Weight loss is more  with malabsorptive procedures whereas less in predominantly restrictive procedures. An 60-90 % of excess weight loss is expected over 1-1.5 years time period.

1. Will my co-morbid diseases get resolved ?

Improvement is seen in 96% of Diabetics, 80% of Hypertensive patients. Resolution is seen in 85-90% of patients with hyperlipidemia & hyperuricemia,joint pain .

1. Why asymptomatic obese patient should undergo bariatric surgery?

27% of obese patients will develop new onset Diabetes Mellitus as compared to 4% in normal patients over 10 years.

Quality of life improves with weight loss for example- increased mobility & work productivity

F.Is this Surgery covered under any Insurance or Government scheme ?

Central Government employees can avail the benefit of a free surgery under CGHS Scheme

Few of the patients do get insurance claims and the OSSI(Obesity  Surgery  Society of India )is trying to get his surgery covered under the insurance .Apart from that there are few financial institiutes who offer monetary help to the needy as a loan on EMI basis