11 Bariatric Surgery Doctors in Mumbai

Frequently asked questions 

What is Bariatric Surgery and its indications?

Bariatric Surgery is done to reduce the size of the stomach which aids in weight loss by decreasing the food intake. Bariatric Surgery is indicated in the following conditions:

1. Severe obesity along with conditions like diabetes, hypertension, joint pains, abnormal cholesterol levels in the blood, etc
2. BMI of more than 35-40 
3. Individuals who are not able to lose weight by medications
4. Risk of heart diseases

What can be the advantages of Bariatric Surgery?

Some of the advantages of Bariatric Surgery are:

1. Decreases the risk of developing heart disease
2. Controls or eliminates blood pressure
3. Reduces body weight

What is the required preparation for Bariatric Surgery?

1. The medical condition of the patient will be checked by the doctor before the surgery.
2. Take food and drinks as instructed by your doctor.
3. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor or surgeon.
4. Lab tests or other examinations may be recommended by the doctor.
5. Inform past and present medical and medications history to the doctor.
6. The risks and complications along with the benefits of Bariatric Surgery should be with the doctor.

What are the steps included in the Bariatric Surgery?

Bariatric Surgery is performed by the following steps:

Gastric bypass:This process is also called as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. There are two steps involved in this procedure:

1. In this, stomach will be stapled to look like a little pouch in the top region to make your stomach and reduce the size and decrease the intake of food.
2. Later, the small intestine is cut and attached to the lower part of the pouch. Thus food is bypassed through the stomach and the higher portion of the small intestine.
3. The bypassed section is connected far away down to the below part of the small intestine. The process cannot be reversed.

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric band:

1. In this process, a ring with an inner inflatable band is placed around the top of the stomach to create a small pouch.
2. This will help in restricting food as you will feel full after eating a small quantity.
3. The size of the pouch can be changed by injecting or removing the solution in the pouch with the help of a small device called a port which is placed below the skin.

Sleeve gastrectomy (gastric sleeve):

1. This process is also called vertical sleeve gastrectomy. In this procedure, the stomach is stapled leaving a banana-shaped section inside.
2. This surgery reduces the intake of food by making you feel fuller. This will also affect gut hormones, gut bacteria, appetite, and metabolism. This process is irreversible.

Duodenal switch or Biliopancreatic diversion:

1. The first surgery process is similar to gastric sleeve process.
2. The second surgery involves redirecting food to bypass through your small intestine.
3. Then the bypassed section is reattached to the last part of the small intestine. This will help in allowing the digestive juices to mix with your food. This procedure will help to lose weight more when compared with the other three methods.

What is the care taken after Bariatric Surgery?

The patient must follow the suggestions by the doctor after Bariatric Surgery like:

1. Follow the specific diet as instructed by your doctor for at least 12 weeks.
2. Start taking liquids first and then progress to soft food and then slowly to regular food.
3. There should be follow-up visits to your doctor after this surgery to adjust the size of the opening of the band or if there any problems caused by the band or if this procedure is not helping you to lose weight. 
4. You may experience few changes like body aches, tiredness, flu-like symptoms, dryness of the skin, feeling cold, hair loss or hair thinning, in the first three to six months of surgery.

Who is the right specialist to perform Bariatric Surgery?

1. A qualified Gastroenterologist 
2. A Surgeon who is well experienced in performing bariatric surgery.

What is the cost of Bariatric Surgery in Mumbai?

Some factors may affect the cost of Bariatric Surgery in Mumbai and they are:

1. Medical condition
2. Type of facility (hospital) & room that you opt for
3. Post surgical complications
4. Time to recovery
5. The method used for Bariatric Surgery

Minimum charges in Mumbai starts from Rs.1,85,000.

Average cost in Mumbai is approximately Rs.3,28,300.

Maximum price in Mumbai may rise up to Rs.5,00,000.

Is Bariatric Surgery a major surgery or minor surgery?

Bariatric Surgery is a major surgery. 

What type of people can choose Bariatric Surgery?

People with the following conditions can choose Bariatric Surgery

1. Body mass index more than 40 with co-morbidities conditions like diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, lipid abnormalities, etc.
2. Bodyweight more than 400 pounds or 200 kilograms.
3. Obese individuals with age greater than 18 years.

What type of people cannot choose Bariatric Surgery?

People with the following conditions cannot choose Bariatric Surgery

1. Individuals whose BMI is below 35 and do not have any co-morbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, or abnormal lipid profile, etc.
2. Individuals suffering from mental illness.
3. Patients who are having eating disorders 
4. Individuals who suffer from obesity and do not have a commitment to change
5. Patients who are addicted to drugs and alcohol.

What are the risks and complications of Bariatric Surgery?

Bariatric Surgery has the following risks and complications:

1. Excessive bleeding, blood clots
2. Leakage in your intestinal system, Infection
3. Gallstones, hernias, bowel obstruction, ulcers, etc
4. Hypoglycemia (low levels of glucose)
5. Malnutrition
6. Dumping syndrome

What is the recovery time for Bariatric Surgery?

To recover from Bariatric Surgery takes around 7 to 15 days.

What is the success rate of Bariatric Surgery?

The success rate of Bariatric Surgery depends on factors:

1. Health condition of the patient
2. Type of surgery performed
3. Experience of the surgeon
4. Patient age

However, the rate of success of Bariatric Surgery is 50-70%.

Does Bariatric Surgery cause pain?

Every surgery comes with a certain level of pain and some discomfort. You won't be experiencing pain during this process because you will be under anesthesia.

What are the long-term goals of Bariatric Surgery?

Long term goals of Bariatric Surgery are the following:

1. Improved blood pressure, erectile dysfunction, sleep apnea, joint pains, and abnormal lipid parameters, etc.
2. Maintaining weight loss

What are the options to look after the failure of Bariatric Surgery?

The doctor may suggest a revision surgery further lifestyle modifications and advice like:

1. Restricting the consumption of foods high in cholesterol.
2. Use of medications as prescribed by your doctor.
3. Regular checks and follow-ups.

What are the other treatments apart from Bariatric Surgery?

Alternatives for Bariatric Surgery are the following:

1. Physical activity of a minimum of 30-60 minutes
2. Weight loss pills
3. Modifications in lifestyle and food intake