-Newzmirror Bureau
Chandigarh, India – In a press conference held in Chandigarh today, Dr. Amit Garg, a renowned Bariatric & Metabolic Surgeon at Fortis Hospital, Mohali, emphasized the gravity of the escalating global obesity epidemic and its profound impact on healthcare systems worldwide. Obesity, he highlighted, is a multifaceted disease characterized by intricate social and psychological dimensions, making long-term management a formidable challenge.
Dr. Garg underscored the cost-effectiveness and remarkable efficacy of bariatric surgery as a solution to combat obesity. This surgical intervention not only achieves substantial weight loss but also leads to the remission of obesity-related diseases and an enhanced quality of life.
“Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in our country, with Punjab reporting a particularly high incidence,” Dr. Garg stated. He attributed this trend to the prevalence of sedentary lifestyles in urban areas, emphasizing the urgent need for early prevention to curb the rising tide of heart ailments, hypertension, and diabetic complications among the younger generation. Dr. Garg stressed that while obesity does not have a simple remedy, lifestyle modifications and dietary adjustments can significantly contribute to weight reduction.
Dr. Garg emphasized, “For many individuals grappling with obesity, bariatric surgery offers the most effective and sustainable long-term solution when conventional methods have proven ineffective.” He highlighted the comprehensive Bariatric program at Fortis Hospital, Mohali, which is meticulously designed and led by himself, supported by a diverse team of specialists from various disciplines.
Apart from achieving weight loss and an improved quality of life, bariatric surgery has demonstrated the capacity to ameliorate or resolve a spectrum of obesity-related comorbidities, including type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, hypertension, joint pain, hormonal imbalances, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and high cholesterol. Notably, these surgeries are performed laparoscopically, involving minimal incisions that require only a few stitches, thereby reducing complications and expediting patient recovery. Furthermore, the center now offers non-surgical options such as the gastric balloon.
Dr. Garg emphasized that bariatric surgery is often covered by insurance for individuals with a BMI exceeding 35 and concurrent obesity-related health conditions, or for those with a BMI exceeding 40 who have exhausted multiple unsuccessful weight loss strategies.
