‘I went to a bakery, polished off half of their products': Adnan Sami on the turning point that led to his sudden 120 kg weight loss

Indian Express

2 days ago

Singer and music composer Adnan Sami recently revisited his transformational journey on Aap Ki Adalat, where he opened up about the pivotal moment that pushed him to change and lose significant weight.
Recalling his father's concern for his deteriorating health, he said, 'My father was suffering from pancreatic cancer. He took me to Cromwell Hospital in London, where the doctor, after the checkup, told me, 'Mr Sami, your results are on the borderline. If you continue with this lifestyle, I will not be surprised that your parents will find you dead in a hotel room six months from now.' It was a shock to me. But I was nonchalant.'
Even after receiving that warning, Sami admitted to momentarily brushing it off, adding, 'That evening, I went to a bakery, polished off half of their products, including pastry, and my father told me angrily, 'tumhe khuda ka khauf nahi hai?' That night, he told me with tears in his eyes, 'Beta, make a promise to me: I will not lay your body in a grave; you shall lay my body in a grave.' From that day onwards, I went on a weight-loss drive.'
Adnan lost 120 kg in just six months in 2006 through lifestyle changes. He also addressed long-standing speculation about surgical intervention: 'There was no bariatric surgery or liposuction. A good nutritionist in Houston prepared a high-protein diet for me, and I started losing weight.'
Dr Gunasekar Vuppalapati, senior reconstructive, aesthetic plastic surgeon at GVG Invivo Hospitals and Apollo Hospitals, tells indianexpress.com, 'Losing such a significant amount of weight, 120 kg in six months, is highly uncommon and would not typically be considered medically advisable under normal circumstances. A safe, sustainable weight loss rate is generally around 0.5 to 1 kg per week, depending on the individual's starting weight and health profile.'
However, he adds that in certain extreme cases, under strict medical supervision, rapid weight loss can occur through a combination of very low-calorie diets, structured high-protein intake, intensive physical activity, and close metabolic monitoring, without any surgical intervention. 'It is rare and requires immense discipline, exceptional metabolic response, and professional guidance to ensure organ function, muscle mass, and nutritional needs are not compromised,' Dr Vuppalapati asserts.
He mentions that while not impossible, such cases are outliers. 'For most people, a slower, more gradual approach yields safer, more sustainable outcomes and is generally preferred in aesthetic and medical practice.'
Dr Vuppalapati says that it's not uncommon for individuals to overlook medical warnings, especially when the changes required feel overwhelming or when weight issues are intertwined with emotional eating or low self-worth. Some common psychological barriers include denial, fear of failure, a sense of helplessness, or even emotional attachment to food as a coping mechanism.
'Addressing these requires a multi-pronged approach. Psychosocial support, access to counselling, and non-judgmental medical guidance can make a significant difference. It's also essential to validate the person's experience rather than shame them. When individuals feel seen and supported, they are more open to making changes and sticking with them,' mentions the expert.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.