In a landmark case, Jayeshkumar Jani, a 61-year-old resident of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, underwent a revolutionary laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy that demonstrates the expanding importance of bariatric surgery in battling obesity and related health concerns. Jani, who weighed 124 kg with a BMI of 41.6 kg/m2, had significant comorbidities such as diabetes, COPD, IHD, CKD, and OSA. Despite numerous attempts to lose weight through diet and exercise, his health deteriorated, forcing him to rely on pharmaceuticals and medical devices such as a BiPAP machine for breathing.

Dr. Manish Khaitan, Director and Senior Bariatric & Metabolic Surgeon, performed Jani's bariatric surgery at city’s NOBEsity Bariatric Surgery Centre in, marking a significant milestone in December 2023. The laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy procedure had a significant impact on Jani's life. Within months, his weight dropped to 93 kg, his diabetes improved, removing the need for insulin, and his medicine usage decreased from 26 to 7 tablets each day. He also no longer needed his BiPAP equipment, which greatly improved his respiratory condition.

Jayeshkumar Jani's transformation is part of a larger worldwide trend in which bariatric surgery has become an important intervention in obesity management. The International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO) predicts a global increase in bariatric procedures to approximately 1.5 million by 2023. The most common treatments, including gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and gastric banding, aim to aid in weight loss and address associated metabolic issues like diabetes and hypertension.

Emphasising the profound impact of bariatric surgery Dr. Manish Khaitan said, "The transformation of Jayesh Kumar Jani demonstrates how bariatric surgery can not only aid in weight loss but also significantly improve conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and respiratory issues, all of which have a direct impact on health."

“At NOBEsity Bariatric Surgery Centre, we want to help patients rediscover life with a healthier body and mind,” he added.

India has emerged as a top destination for bariatric surgery, with an anticipated 20,000–25,000 surgeries carried out in 2023. The country's medical achievements, combined with the relative price of surgery when compared to Western countries, have contributed to this increase. Procedures such as sleeve gastrectomy have grown in popularity, providing patients with a minimally invasive option for long-term weight loss.

Another important aspect driving bariatric surgery's rise in India is its cost effectiveness. When compared to alternative obesity therapies, notably pharmaceutical ones, surgery is more cost-effective over time. The journal Surgical Endoscopy published a new study that compared the cost-effectiveness of bariatric surgery to weight-loss medications like liraglutide (Saxenda) and semaglutide (Wegovy). The researchers discovered that, whereas surgery is more expensive at first, it eventually outperforms medication. These findings are especially important given the growing number of obese people looking for long-term solutions to their health problems.

"Bariatric surgery offers a more permanent and rapid resolution to obesity and metabolic syndrome, with cost-saving benefits in the long term," according to the study. The reduction in pharmaceutical use, fewer clinic visits, and fewer emergency room visits following surgery demonstrate the procedure's significant cost savings.

The recognition of bariatric surgery as a viable therapy for weight loss and managing chronic diseases like diabetes is growing rapidly. Studies have consistently shown that surgery outperforms medical therapy or lifestyle measures. For example, Dr. Ann M. Rogers, President of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), stated that "studies consistently show the efficacy of metabolic surgery in achieving long-term diabetes remission and substantial weight loss, far surpassing the results achieved with medical management or diets and exercise alone." This not only improves health but also results in significant cost savings."

In the United States, where almost 280,000 bariatric procedures were conducted in 2022, experts believe that increasing access to this procedure might dramatically lower the healthcare expense associated with obesity. Given that the obesity rate in the United States is approximately 40% and severe obesity affects one out of every ten individuals, it is crucial to recognize the potential of bariatric surgery in reducing long-term healthcare expenses.

Jayeshkumar Jani's successful surgery in Gujarat demonstrates the life-changing potential of bariatric surgery. It has not only allowed him to lose weight, but it has also helped address various chronic health concerns that had previously harmed his quality of life. We anticipate that as India's medical infrastructure improves, the pricing and accessibility of bariatric surgery will rise, propelling the country to the forefront of the worldwide fight against obesity.

For people seeking obesity therapy, bariatric surgery provides not just a chance to lose weight but also a potential cure for other life-threatening health disorders. As Dr. Khaitan succinctly stated, "This surgery isn't just about losing weight; it's about gaining life."