Doctors discuss advancements in weight loss procedures

Haryana: About 500 doctors gathered in this Haryana district to discuss advancements in stomach resizing surgery to tackle the problem of obesity in India.

The conference attended by bariatric surgeons from across the country also had a brain-storming session on how morbidly obese women can increase their chances of conceiving without complications.

According to medical statistics, about 70 percent of obese women are not able to conceive.

"Somebody who is overweight by 5-10 kg can manage to shed that extra weight by dieting, exercising, etc. But in cases of women who are obese and are not able to conceive, stomach resizing surgery is a solution," said Gaurav Srivastava, managing director of IBM hospital, the organisers of the conference.

"A lot of obese women, after weight loss surgery, find that they are more fertile as reproductive system receives a surge of fertility due to the hormonal effects of weight loss on the body," he said.

Vivek Bindal, a leading bariatric surgeon, said, "The biggest benefit after bariatric surgery is freedom from chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, infertility, migraine, high cholesterol, and arthritis."

"It has been proven to increase the life expectancy and quality of life in morbidly obese patients. These patients actually regain their lives and confidence after bariatric procedure."

Bariatrics is the branch of medicine that deals with the causes, prevention and treatment of obesity.