277 kg man loses 30 kgs in a week due to a surgery called 'Sleeve Gastrectomy'

Being obese has deleterious effects not only on your health but also your mental well-being. Not being able to move easily and perform your day-to-day activities can be quite demotivating. While routine exercise and diet may not be helpful to those who are morbidly obese, surgery is the first step towards a fitter life. Such a life altering surgery was recently performed on an Iraqi national, Rafid, who weighed 277 kg. The doctors have successfully managed to bring his weight down by 30 kgs in a week and plan to bring his weight down by another 90 kgs over the next 9 months. (Read: Skin stem cells now to cure obesity)

When Rafid met doctors at the BLK super speciality hospital, he was suffering from type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. He also had insomnia and had to depend on continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine to sleep. 'Given his size and level of complications, Rafid's case required meticulous planning including arrangements of special instruments,' said Dr Deep Goel, Director, Bariatric and Advance Laparoscopy Surgery at BLK super speciality hospital.( Read: Revealed how obesity causes heart disease)

Hospital administration made special arrangements for Rafid's surgery called Sleeve Gastrectomy. Special beds and CT scan were arranged to make sure the operation was smooth and did not cause any complications. Challenge became bigger when instrument used for operation called tork became small and fragile given Rafid's fat deposition. 'The operation which lasted for over two hours was successful and the very next day Rafid did not require CPAP machine for sleeping.' said Dr Ravindra Vats, Senior Consultant, Bariatrics. (Read:New fat-fighting tactics may help combat global obesity epidemic: Study)

Rafid was able to reduce over 30 kgs in just one week and was immediately relieved from his uncontrollable diabetes levels. 'He doesn't require diabetes medicines anymore. He is not even taking any aid from machines for sleeping. We are hoping that soon his high blood pressure will also come under control and he will not have to take any further medicines,' said Ravindra. (Read: Healthy obesity is a misleading concept: Study)

Sleeve Gastrectomy is a stapling procedure in which 60 per cent of the stomach is removed leaving around 100cc volume in pouch. Studies have shown that 70-80 per cent of extra weight is lost in 6-9 months, with 92 per cent improvement in hypertension, 95 per cent improvement in diabetes, 82 per cent in osteoarthritis, 98 per cent in GERD and 75 per cent in sleep apnea with increased quality of life after this surgery, explained Goel. (Read: Obese people always likelier to suffer a heart attack)

Image for representational purposes only

With inputs from PTI

Image source: Getty Images

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