JAMMU: Chief Laparoscopic and Bariatric Surgeon from Fortis Hospital Amritsar, Dr Ravinder Singh along with his colleague Dr. Gurbilas P. Singh, Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist, briefed media on the treatment of several diseases related to morbid obesity viz Diabetes, Fatty Liver, Hypertension and Obstructive Sleep Apnoea.
Dr Ravinder explained that there is a specific protocol to select patients for Bariatric surgery and post treatment all other co-morbidities are cured along with weight loss.
He informed that 90-95% of morbidly obese patients who try other modalities like diet, exercise, medicines fail to achieve the desired results and the only definitive long term option for such individuals is Bariatric Surgery.
On the other hand, overweight patients simply need to change their lifestyle to achieve the desired goal, he added.
Dr. Singh further explained that the procedure requires 2-3 days of hospitalisation with minimal complications. He emphasized that Fortis Hospital Amritsar is the only regional centre with a complete Bariatric team of various specialties including Endocrinologist, Gastroenterologist/Hepatologist, Internal Medicine, Dietitian and tertiary care Cardiac and Intensive Care back up.
Dr. Ravinder Singh has been successfully running this programme since 2009 and is a leading laparoscopic surgeon of the region with many firsts to his credit. He has had various stints internationally and has worked in Leeds Teaching Hospital, UK and IRCAD, Strausberg, France.