Bariatric Surgery in Pune

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 Pune?

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 Pune 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 Pune

About Pune

Pune is a city in the Indian state of Maharashtra. With an estimated population of 3.13 million, it is the ninth most populous city in the country. Like many other cities in India, this city is a perfect blend of ancient and modern. It’s a thriving metropolis that still retains a few of its old buildings and residential areas. The city is famous for the Osho International Meditation Resort, an ashram founded by the late guru Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh. There is a lot to see and do in this city that cannot be packed into a short weekend trip. Recently, many tourists visit the city for its medical treatments.

Pune’s is in sync with India’s fast-growing medical tourism. Domestic and foreign patients prefer the city to get the best healthcare. Medical cost is relatively cheaper here than in any other medical tourism country. The government is expanding this sector rapidly to drive a strong growth rate. With high-quality hospitals, infrastructure, and well-trained medical professionals, the city has a lot of contribution in helping India to be the number one medical destination in the world.

A wide range of medical treatments is available in Pune, from Breast Augmentation, Tummy Tuck, to Otoplasty. Columbia Asia Hospital Pune, Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital and Research Center, and Apollo Jehangir Hospital are some of the best hospitals with the highest ratings.

Popular Areas in Pune

Pune has a lively nightlife and vibrant atmosphere due to its large student population. It’s sometimes called “Oxford of the East” because there are numerous colleges and institutes here. It is also well known for its hill forts that offer panoramic views, fantastic restaurants, and good museums. The city has a magnificent history of nearly 1600 years.

• Shaniwar Wada is a historical fortification situated at the very heart of Pune. Built in 1732, it was originally a seven-storied capital building of the Peshwas of the Maratha Empire. It’s an amazing place for history buffs. Tourists can enjoy some live shows in the evening.
• Mahadji Shinde Chhatri has an extremely beautiful architecture that reflects the style used in Rajasthan. It is a memorial dedicated to the great soldier, Mahadji Shinde who served as the commander-in-chief of the Maratha army under the Peshwas for twenty years. The memorial consists of a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
• Pataleshwar Caves is a religious shrine that dates back to 700 – 800 AD. Located on Jungli Maharaj Road, the shrine has grand statues of Nandi, Sita, Ram, Lakshman, Lakshmi, Ganesh, and a big Shivalingam.
• Parvati Hill is the highest point in Pune. It offers a beautiful panoramic view of the city and is especially breathtaking during sunrise and sunset. The hill is home to four temples.
• Osho International Meditation Resort draws thousands of sannyasins since 1990. It is the perfect place to get some peace of mind. With various meditation techniques, the resort is suitable for those who want to indulge in some luxurious meditation. The resort has a swimming pool, sauna, spa, and guesthouse.

Weather and Climate in Pune

March to June is summer and the temperature can get really high during this season, with the highest temperature ever recorded is 43.3 °C (109.9 °F). The end of May usually experiences dusty winds. Humidity is also very high.

Monsoon or rainy season starts in June and last until October. There are moderate rainfall and the average temperature ranging from 22 °C to 28 °C (72 to 82 °F). July is the wettest month of the year with occasional Hailstorms.

Winter has the most pleasant weather. It starts from December to February. The average daytime temperature is around 26 °C (79 °F) and night temperature can drop to 5 °C to 6 °C (41 to 43 °F). Due to the pollution, the city’s winter temperature has warmed up by 6 degrees.

Getting Around in Pune

Pune International Airport is still the main airport in the city until the completion of the proposed Chattrapati Sambhaji International Airport. This airport has one terminal that serves both domestic and international flights. Major airlines such as Air India and budget airlines such as AirAsia India, GoAir, and IndiGo operate flights from this airport. The international flights connect the city with Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and Frankfurt.

To get to the city center from Pune International Airport, taxis, buses, auto-rickshaws, and car rentals are available. There are four bus lines that reach the city center: 24B, 102, 158 and 158A. A bus ride usually takes 45 minutes. Taxis are relatively affordable, there are pre-paid and metered taxis out on the arrivals area.

Tourists can use the PMPL City bus to get around Pune. Almost all parts of the city can be reached by the buses, but be aware that it can be very crowded and smoke-belching. The fare ranges from 5 INR to 22 INR. Auto-rickshaws are widely available within the city; there are metered and pre-paid auto-rickshaws. If you choose the metered one, always make sure that the drivers use the meter before getting in. Taxis are another nice option; the prices range between 7 INR/km to 20 INR/km. online hailing apps are also available. There are many car rentals and tourists can drive around the city, but there is a lot of traffic and bad driving in Pune.

Tourist Visas in Pune

All visitors, except citizens of Nepal and Bhutan, need to obtain and apply for a visa to enter India. Citizens of South Korea and Japan can apply for a visa on arrival. E-Visa is available for 150 nationalities. Tourists coming for medical treatment can apply for the medical attendant e-visa.

Passport must be valid for at least 180 days after your entry to India and should have at least two blank pages.

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: Indian rupee (INR) is the local currency. 1 USD converts to 70 INR.
2. Money & Payments: ATMs are widely available in Pune. Tourists can find many exchange services around the city. Credit and debit cards are accepted at several restaurants, hotels, and shops. It is advisable to always carry cash. Tipping is not mandatory; you can always tip 10 to 15 percent of the billed amount in restaurants.
3. Local Language: Marathi is the official language of Pune. Most people also speak Hindi. English is widely spoken especially in tourist areas.
4. Local Culture and Religion: Most of the population follows Hinduism. Other religions such as Islam, Buddhism, Jainism, Christianity, and Zoroastrianism have significant presences in the city.
5. Public Holidays: Pune celebrates major religious holidays. The city also celebrates several annual festivals such as Pune Festival, The Eateries Food Fest, and Pune International Film Festival.