Morbid obesity is a major global health crisis, contributing to life-threatening conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.

For individuals struggling with severe obesity, lifestyle modifications alone are often insufficient to achieve sustainable weight loss. Bariatric surgery, however, has emerged as an effective long-term solution, transforming lives by improving overall health and resolving metabolic diseases.

Dr. S. Balamurugan, a renowned Bariatric and Metabolic Surgeon, Annaii Hospital, Coimbatore highlights the significant benefits of bariatric surgery. “Bariatric procedures not only help with weight loss but also contribute to the resolution of Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, infertility, and other metabolic disorders,” he explains. 

Bariatric surgery involves procedures that either reduce the stomach’s size to limit food intake or modify nutrient absorption. Additionally, these procedures influence hunger-related hormones such as ghrelin, which stimulates appetite, and leptin, which signals fullness. This hormonal regulation supports reduced appetite and better eating habits, ultimately leading to significant and sustained weight loss.

While surgery lays the foundation for weight reduction, long-term success depends on lifestyle changes, including a healthy diet and regular physical activity. To illustrate the life-changing impact of bariatric surgery, Dr. Balamurugan shares the inspiring success story of one of his patients.

A 44-year-old male patient, weighing 170 kg with a BMI of 53.7 kg/m², was battling Type 2 diabetes and obstructive sleep apnea. After numerous failed attempts at weight loss through conventional methods, he opted for a Mini Gastric Bypass surgery on February 26, 2022. A year and a half later, he successfully lost 81 kg, reaching a healthier weight of 89 kg. His blood glucose levels stabilized, eliminating the need for diabetes medication, and his sleep apnea was completely resolved.

This case underscores the transformative potential of bariatric surgery for individuals struggling with severe obesity and its associated health conditions. By facilitating significant weight loss and improving overall health, bariatric surgery offers a second chance at life for many patients.