Hyderabad|India|March'2011: City based Leads Medical Center organised a Continuous Medical Education(CME) program on Obesity Surgical Awareness here in city. An interactive session between who underwent weight loss Bariatric Surgery and those who intend to go through such procedure was organised. About 80 such people from various parts of the state and medical doctors have also attended the program held at Katriya Hotel.

Speaking on the occasion Bariatric Surgeon Dr. Y. Krishna Mohan said Bariatric Surgery is not a mere cosmetic surgery. It is a life saving surgery. Bariatric surgery, or weight loss surgery, includes a variety of procedures performed on people who are obese. Weight loss is achieved by reducing the size of the stomach with an implanted medical device (gastric banding) or through removal of a portion of the stomach (sleeve gastrectomy) or by resecting and re-routing the small intestines to a small stomach pouch (gastric bypass surgery) he said.

Adding further he stated that about five lakh such surgeries are performed each year in United States of America. This trend is slowly catching up in India. 15% of population are obese in India. Women are more obese than men. Andhra Pradesh ranks 5th in obesity in the country. Surgery is the only solution for assured weight loss. From less than 100 operations per year a few years ago, there are about 10000 surgeries being performed every year in India today informed Dr. Y. Krishna Mohan. Studies revealed that 70% obesity can be accounted for genetic factor, he said.

Sharing his experience B. Ranga Mohan Rao, a politician and state vice president of BJP said he was of 140 kgs weight. Because of which he was unable to move freely, campaign for his political party. Yet times he found even difficult to walk. That is when he decided to do something to come out of the problem. And came to know about Bariatric Surgery. Post weight loss surgery last May, he is now 94kgs. “I feel more light now.” And said that he has come open to share his experience in the interest of so many suffering similarly like him.

Chitti Babu, a 41 years old realtor had put on 133 kgs. And tried everything to loose weight. While few things helped temporarily but nothing was permanent. He underwent weight loss surgery four months back with Leads Medical center and is now 100 kilos. He is very happy now without any complications. And suggested those who have morbid obesity may try such effective solutions.

Many who lost weight after bariatric surgery at Leads, shared their experience on the occasion. And gave hope to many suffering with weight problem. Dr Y.Krishnamohan had informed that Leads Medical center performed successfully morethan 200 surgeries in the last 6 years.Today Leads is the center of Excellence for Bariatrics and follow strictly international bariatric surgical protocols, he added. Bariatric surgery is very safe surgery and performed laparoscopically, thus patient can return to normal life in flat 3-5 days.

Dr. Nazia Nousheen Siddiqua, a Cosmetologist and Ms.Haritha, Nutritionist also addressed the gathering.

Replying to questions asked by participants Dr. Y. Krishna Mohan said sweet lovers cause much harm to their health. He added that on the average, to maintain desirable weight, men need about 1700 calories per day and women need about 1600 calories per day. But, we add more calories and burn less. Another biggest problem is food. We socialise by eating. Food has a great role to play in national integration. Breakfast, lunches, dinners and parties bring many people together to share happy feasts. We meet over food. We enjoy over food. Our celebrations start with food and end with food. So one needs to excercise strict diet regime. Must have breakfast between 6 to 8am, lunch 12noon to 2pm and dinner between 6 to 8pm he said. And advised to consume lot of fibre foods such as vegetables and fruits. And advised people to refrain from fried food, food with lot of calories and consumption of carbohydrates.