What is Bariatric Surgery?
Bariatric surgery is a type of weight loss surgery and is the only proven surgery for significant and sustainable weight loss. It is usually performed for patients who are morbidly obese or individuals who have tried other weight loss methods without any success.
No other treatment or modality has shown such promising results as bariatric surgery in terms of treatment of obesity and obesity-related health problems like diabetes, hypertension, joint pain, asthma, snoring, or obstructive sleep apnea. In females, it is shown to resolve PCOS, and menstrual abnormalities and even enhances the pregnancy rate in obese patients who are unable to conceive because of hormonal imbalances.
How Bariatric Surgery Works?
The patient undergoes different types of bariatric surgery procedures based on a thorough examination and consideration of various factors. Broadly, bariatric surgery achieves weight loss through 3 methods:
- Reducing the stomach size: This component is present in almost every type of weight loss surgery. This reduces the amount of food a person can consume at a time. Normally the capacity of the stomach is 1.5 litres which is reduced to 150-200 ml during surgery.
- Rerouting the intestines: This component involves rerouting the intestines so that the food does not travel to the portion of the intestine responsible for the absorption of fats. This process is known as malabsorption and is known to cause better and longer-term weight loss.
- Hormonal changes: Bariatric surgery also causes alteration of various hormones like ghrelin, leptin, etc which brings appetite suppression, early satiety, and better regulation of sugar levels.
What are the different types of bariatric surgery?
Some of the most common bariatric surgeries performed worldwide and by our team at Habilite Clinics include:
- Sleeve Gastrectomy: This procedure is also known as gastric sleeve surgery. In this procedure, we use staplers to remove approximately 75% of the stomach. This leaves behind a smaller sleeve-shaped stomach that now accommodates only 150-200 ml of food instead of the normal 1.5 litres. This type of food restriction along with hormonal changes produces significant weight loss.
- Mini Gastric Bypass: This procedure is one of the best and most popular procedures for long-term weight loss and resolution of medical illnesses like diabetes & hypertension. This involves reducing the size of the stomach and rerouting the intestines to significantly reduce the absorption of fats. This is one of the most effective procedures to produce sustainable weight loss.
- Roux en Y Gastric Bypass: This procedure is similar to a Mini Gastric Bypass. However, compared to MGB, the results are similar and prove to be more effective in patients with acid reflux problems. This procedure involves creating two joints between the stomach and bowel.
- Duodeno-jejunal Bypass: This procedure is also quite similar to Mini Gastric Bypass. This procedure involves a single anastomosis or joint between the bowel and stomach and prevents acid reflux.
What factors influence the cost of Bariatric Surgery?
- Infrastructure of the hospital: The infrastructure of the hospital significantly impacts the cost of surgery. Advanced camera systems, ICU and CCU backups, specialized instruments, and tables to handle morbidly obese patients add to the cost of surgery. You must always consult your surgeon who can guide you in making decisions. Looking at the age, weight, and associated co-morbidities, they can decide which setup is the best option without unnecessarily escalating the charges.
- Condition of the patient: As previously mentioned, the condition of the patient, weight of the patient, associated medical illnesses like diabetes, and hypertension, and condition of the heart and lungs can affect the total cost of the procedure. Depending upon the condition of the patient, the package might increase because of an extended stay, the requirement of ICU, and the requirement of the multi-disciplinary team.
- Experience and expertise of the surgeon: The experience and expertise of the surgeon play a significant role in the cost of the total package. Highly experienced and successful surgeons with a proven track record generally command higher fees for their services. Their specialized skills and higher proficiency in dealing with complex procedures ensure a better outcome.
- Quality of the staplers: Surgeons use Endo staplers to reduce the size of the stomach and reroute intestines. These staplers create new surgical connections and help minimize the risk of leaks and bleeding during the procedure. High-quality staplers have a lower risk of malfunction leading to better surgical outcomes. You must ask your surgeon specifically about the type of staplers to be used during surgery and must ensure that they are of the best quality.
- Type of bariatric surgery: There are several types of weight loss surgery such as sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, mini gastric bypass, or duodenal jejunal bypass. Procedures like sleeve gastrectomy may have lower costs when compared to bypass surgeries because of fewer anatomical modifications and less operating time. Hence, different bariatric or weight loss procedures vary in terms of complexity and duration, and so affect the price of surgery.
Cost of Bariatric Surgery in Delhi, India
In Delhi, navigating the cost of bariatric surgery can be a difficult task. However, on average, bariatric surgery costs in Delhi typically range from INR 3,00,000 to INR 5,00,000. However, this can fluctuate based on individual circumstances and additional services required.
We at Habilite Clinics offer a package ranging between Rs 200,000 and Rs 275,000 depending upon the type of surgery, condition of the patient, and associated medical illnesses. The final package is always given after a complete evaluation of the patient.
Why Choose Us?
Habilite Clinics is committed to providing the best combination of quality, suitability, and affordability for patients. We have specially approved packages with some of the best hospitals to give our patients the best experience without compromising the quality. Dr Kapil Agrawal is a renowned, internationally trained Bariatric Surgeon with a rich experience of 22 years. He is well known for performing a complete range of bariatric surgeries with excellent results.
Your journey of weight loss just starts after bariatric surgery and we understand the importance of support and guidance throughout the process. That’s why we offer free post-operative consultations so that you get the desired attention and advice needed for the best outcomes. We have a multi-disciplinary team of physicians, endocrinologists, and physiotherapists to take care of your health in a holistic manner. The team under one roof ensures complete care of associated medical illnesses in a hassle-free manner.
Habilite Clinics has a team of dedicated nutritionists to guide and help you in your weight loss journey. They work diligently to ensure the best outcomes and provide regular support so that there is no weight regain. We have partnered with some of the premier hospitals in New Delhi. These hospitals have built a reputation for their cutting-edge facilities and top-notch patient care services.
We understand that Bariatric Surgery comes with a high financial commitment and the financial aspect can be daunting. Therefore, we offer interest-free EMI options allowing you to spread the cost of your surgery over manageable installments.
Habilite Clinics partners with some of the best hospitals where complete cashless insurance facilities are also available. Our well-trained team works seamlessly with insurance providers to ensure a smooth and hassle-free process for our patients.