Latest news with #ShashankShah
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Bariatric & Liposuction Surgery Boom Raises Safety Concerns
With rising obesity among youth and adults, and growing awareness about appearance, more people are opting for bariatric and liposuction surgeries. However, many undergo these procedures at hospitals lacking skilled specialists, leading to failed surgeries. As a result, numerous patients suffer lifelong complications from unsuccessful operations. Ujjwala Kamble's case remains fresh in the minds of Punekars. The IT engineer, earning a Rs 32 lakh package, saw her weight rise to 84 kg and struggled to lose it despite numerous efforts. She finally opted for liposuction, but the surgery went wrong. Now, she is bedridden and can only open and close her eyes. Bariatric surgeries 'Bariatric or liposuction surgeries are done when diet plans and exercise schedule don't yield desired effects. It involves making changes in digestive systems to help people to lose weight. But this surgery is not for everyone who is overweight with BMI more than 40 or higher,' said Dr Shashank Shah, a laparoscopic bariatric surgeon, Laparo Obeso Centre. People who want to undergo bariatric surgery need to follow certain healthy lifestyle like follow up exercise, nutritious food and skipping habits of smoking or alcohol,' he added. 'But when done under the supervision of doctors who are not well-trained, there can be side effects both short and long. Short-term side effects include infection, acid reflux, dilation of esophagus, inability to eat certain food, obstruction of stomach and weight gain or failure to lose weight while long-term side effects consists of low blood pressure, malnutrition, vomiting, ulcers, bowel obstruction, and hernias,' said Dr Kedar Patil, bariatric and advanced laparoscopic surgeon, Ruby Hall Clinic. What is liposuction procedure? 'Liposuction is a surgical procedure by which accumulated, stubborn fat deposits in the body, which are outside the natural body shape, are suctioned out. It is best suited for those having a stable weight (usually within 20% of their ideal weight) and practising a healthy diet and exercise regimen. There are a host of other treatment options, including non-surgical ones, that help in reducing some amount of fat from the body,' said Dr. Chinthan Gujrathi, a plastic surgeon at Manipal Hospital. He added, 'Only a plastic surgeon who undergoes years of specific training — a minimum of 3 years — in all the nuances of cosmetic and plastic surgery is board-certified to perform these procedures. Hence, complication rates increase when such surgeries are done by doctors or surgeons who are not plastic surgeons.' Side effects of liposuction are skin might appear bumpy, fluid can get accumulated under skin, temporary numbness, infection, internal puncture, kidney and heart problem. The cost of cosmetic procedures in India is significantly lower compared to many other countries, making it a popular destination for medical tourism. Many people travel here specifically to undergo such surgeries. It's always advisable to discuss any financial concerns with your plastic surgeon, who can help you make an informed decision. Both bariatric and liposuction surgeries typically range from Rs 1 to Rs 5 lakh, depending on the complexity of the case.
CNA
21-05-2025
- Health
- CNA
Obesity could become public health crisis in India if left unchecked, say health experts
MUMBAI: Vishwanath Gaitonde has struggled with his weight for years – and the problem only grew when he reached his 50s. The advertising business head, who currently weighs more than 120kg, told CNA about the issues he began facing as he got older. 'Your knees start giving in. Your cholesterol starts increasing. Your blood pressure starts going up,' he said. He is far from alone in his home country of India. The world's most populous nation now has more than 80 million obese people – or roughly 17 per cent of its population. This includes 10 million youths aged five to 19, according to research by NCD Risk Factor Collaboration, a global network of health scientists and practitioners. Health experts have warned that the problem will worsen, with obesity set to become a full-scale public health crisis if nothing is done. One in three Indians – or about 450 million people – are expected to be overweight by 2050, based on a study published by the Lancet medical journal. If this happens, India is projected to come second after China on a list of countries with the most overweight and obese adults. Doctors said sedentary lifestyles, fast food, and genetic factors are major contributors. 'Altogether, this changing era (of) preservatives, artificialisation of food, ready-made food - everything together is generating a pandemic of obesity in India,' said bariatric surgeon Shashank Shah from Mumbai's PD Hinduja Hospital and Medical Research Centre. 'We see practically … one out of every three to five (people) having some grade of obesity or is overweight.' Dr Shah is worried this could lead to an exponential surge in the number of patients developing diabetes at a younger age, which would further strain India's already-overstretched healthcare system. WEIGHT-LOSS DRUGS Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged citizens to consume less oil and exercise more. But many have instead turned to weight-loss drugs, including Vishwanath. In particular, an appetite suppressant from the United States, called Mounjaro, became available in India in March. It has been gaining popularity in the weight-loss circuit despite being primarily used to treat Type 2 diabetes. 'As a person who really wants to lose weight, you do a lot of research, you do a lot of reading, and I've been following the Mounjaro (trend) since the last few years,' said Vishwanath. 'I was just waiting for it to come to India. In fact, I had half a mind to import it but the cost was prohibitive. I couldn't afford it.' Importing the drug would have cost him about US$1,000 a month, but he is now paying much less – US$160 – for the lowest dose. He said it has helped him to lose 4kg in a month. Dr Rajiv Kovil, who prescribed the drug to Vishwanath, said having such an option is good but warned that weight-loss drugs have their limitations. The head of diabetology at Zandra Healthcare added: 'An anti-obesity drug is not the magic bullet for India. It can only kickstart the progression of weight loss. 'Good lifestyle habits, good dietary habits, (and) good exercise remain the cornerstone of weight loss,' he said. Dr Shah concurred that prevention is better than cure, adding that some weight-loss drugs need to be taken for a lifetime and that long-term side effects are still unknown.
