Bariatric Surgery in Gurgaon

Bariatric surgery is a group of weight-loss surgeries that involves making changes to the digestive system, some of which are non-reversible. The idea behind these types of surgeries is to help patients lose weight by either limiting the amount of food they can consume/digest at any one time or reducing their body’s ability to absorb nutrients. Some procedures do both. 

Bariatric surgeries should only ever be the final option when diet and exercise have proved inadequate and there are now serious health concerns caused by a person's weight. In general, these surgeries can only be an option for patients whose body mass index (BMI) is 40 or higher (extreme obesity). In certain cases, patients whose BMI is 30 to 39.9 may qualify for certain types of bariatric surgery if they have serious weight-related problems, such as type 2 diabetes.

The three most common types of Bariatric Surgeries are as follows:

1. Gastric Sleeve – The most common surgery, in which about 80% of the stomach is irreversibly removed, resulting in a sleeve or tube-like structure. This smaller stomach will not be able to hold as much food and produces less of the hormone that regulates appetite (ghrelin), which can lessen the patient’s desire to eat. 
2. Gastric Bypass – A more complicated procedure in which the stomach is divided into two parts; a small upper pouch and a large lower ‘remnant’ pouch. The small intestine is rearranged to bypass the large pouch. As a result, the volume of the stomach is significantly reduced. This causes food to go into the small upper pouch of the stomach and then directly into the small intestine. The small upper pouch can only hold around an ounce of food. Gastric Bypass is typically not reversible. 
3. Gastric Band – Involves an inflatable silicone device that is fitted around the top portion of the stomach to create a smaller stomach pouch. This procedure causes the patient to feel fuller with less food but still allows the body to digest food as usual, without malabsorption. The device can be removed when the patient reaches their desired weight.

The bariatric surgeries mentioned above are typically performed laparoscopically, in which the surgeon creates around one to five small incisions in the abdomen to insert a laparoscope (a long narrow tube with a camera) and surgical tools. The patients are usually given a general anesthetic, so they will not feel anything throughout the surgery.

How Long Should I Stay in Gurgaon?

After bariatric surgery, an overnight stay in the hospital is usually required. In some cases, you may need to stay longer (around 3 to 5 days). However, it is not advisable to leave Gurgaon as soon as you are discharged from the hospital. Stay at least 10 to 14 days following your surgery for initial recovery and follow-up checkups. During the follow-up checkups, your surgeon will remove your stitches and check your overall condition.

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

The recovery time may take around 3 to 6 weeks until you are allowed to go back to your normal activities, including work, with some restrictions. You must avoid heavy work and strenuous activities, such as lifting, pushing, or carrying heavy loads for at least the first three months after surgery. You should also avoid sitting and standing without moving for long periods to avoid blood clots forming in your legs.

What Aftercare is Required?

You will be given a special diet plan immediately after your surgery, as well as detailed post-operative instructions. Make sure to follow the diet plan and instructions to avoid complications and speed up your recovery. In order to maximize and maintain weight loss, it is important that you commit to healthy eating and regular exercise. There may be restrictions on how much food you can consume. You may also need to change your eating habits, such as eating 6 small meals instead of 3 large meals each day. You should take vitamins and mineral supplements to ensure proper nutrition. 

What's the Success Rate?

The success rates vary for each of the different types of bariatric surgery. In general, within the first six months following the surgery, most patients lose around 30% to 55% of their excess weight. Then, as early as 12 months after surgery, most patients lose over 70% of their excess weight. Patients could also maintain a 50% to 60% loss of excess weight for 10 to 14 years after their bariatric surgery. Although the success rates are high, there are risks associated with bariatric surgery, such as bleeding, deep vein thrombosis, infections, spleen injury, stenosis, and infections.

Are there Alternatives?

There is a non-surgical Bariatric procedure, known as the Gastric Balloon. This involves an inflatable device that is temporarily inserted into the stomach via endoscopic placement. A sizable area of the stomach is obstructed by the balloon or balloons, thus reducing the amount of food it can contain at any one time, leading to eventual weight loss. The balloons are usually removed after 6 or 12 months. 

If you cannot or do not want to undergo any surgery or medical procedure, you may be able to work with a doctor who is experienced in treating extreme obesity and a dietician as the alternative. They may recommend you to change your diet, adding physical activity, and prescribe medications.

Bariatric Surgery in and around Gurgaon

About Gurgaon

Gurgaon, officially named Gurugram, is a city in the northern Indian state of Haryana. It’s one of the major satellite cities of Delhi and is part of the National Capital Region of India. The city is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country and is a leading financial center after Mumbai and Chennai. Its skyline is dominated by skyscrapers, with upscale shopping malls per square mile, all types of restaurants, and a brand new metro system. Gurgaon is also fast becoming a global medical tourism hotspot as it provides top medical care at affordable prices. Numerous medical centers in the city are accredited by the National Accreditation Board of Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) and the Joint Commission International (JCI). These medical centers are equipped with advanced technology and qualified specialists, allowing them to deal with complicated cases. Most medical tourists, particularly from the Middle East and Africa, come to the city to undergo cardiology, knee replacement, gastric bypass, and cosmetic surgeries. 

Popular Parts of Gurgaon

There are museums and temples as main attractions. History enthusiasts, especially those who are interested in automobiles, should visit the Heritage Transport Museum. It has a huge collection of pre-modern and modern cars, as well as palanquins, bullock carts, howdahs, and boats. The most popular attraction in the city is the Kingdom of Dreams, which is India’s first live entertainment zone that offers theater and leisure activities. It allows visitors to indulge in India’s cultural heritage through drama and music. Other popular places in the city are Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary, Damdama Lake, and Cyber Hub.  

Transport in Gurgaon

Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport is conveniently located just across the border of Gurgaon, which makes it easier for international tourists to visit the city. The city is improving its public transport system and there are intercity minibusses, Rapid Metro Gurgaon, and cycle rickshaws. Taxis are widely available and are reasonably priced. 

Visas in Gurgaon

Holders of passports issued by Maldives, Bhutan, and Nepal, are allowed to visit and stay in India without a visa. Nationals of other countries are required to obtain a visa. Citizens of South Korea, Japan, and the UAE can apply for a visa on arrival. Citizens of 150 countries are eligible to apply for an e-Visa.

Weather in Gurgaon

Gurgaon experiences several seasons with a high variation of temperature between summer and winter. Summer (April to June) can be very hot, with the average temperature rising to 32°C, sometimes even as high as 46°C. From June to mid-September is monsoon and the temperatures will fall to an average of 29°C, but it’s humid and rainy. In winter, starting from November to March, the temperature drops to an average of 6°C. 

Additional Info

1. Local Currency:  The Indian rupee (INR) is the local currency, and 1 USD will get you about 73 INR.
2. Money & Payments:  ATMs are readily available around the city. Although credit cards are accepted in many establishments, always bring some cash with you as some places only accept cash. Tipping is not mandatory. 
3. Local Language: The official language is Hindi, but several regional languages are also spoken, English is understood and spoken to a lesser extent.
4. Local Culture and Religion: Over 93% of the population follows Hinduism. Islam and Sikhism Christian and Buddhists are all practiced as well. 
5. Public Holidays: New Year’s Day, Republic Day, Tamil New Year, and Deepavali are some of the most important and most celebrated holidays.