According to a report, Pakistan ranks 9th in the world for the most obese population and an estimate suggests that more than 21% of the population in Pakistan is over-weight. Obesity has developed into one of the most widespread problems in society. The wrong eating practices, lack of exercise and uncontrolled habits have severely troubled lead
to catastrophic problems.
As a result, people have started to opt for the option of bariatric surgery or weight loss surgery and it has seen a rise in Pakistan. Bariatric surgery in Pakistan is being done by well-qualified surgeons and the procedure has been greatly successful. In this article, we’ll take a look at the five important aspects of bariatric surgery in Pakistan, how the surgery is done and also the best bariatric surgeons in Pakistan.
1. What is bariatric surgery?
Bariatric surgery or weight loss surgery is done to restrict the amount of food that the stomach can hold which ultimately results in weight loss. Bariatric surgery can be done by the following methods:
- Gastric band insertion
- Sleeve gastrectomy
- Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch
- Gastric bypass method
The basic aim of this surgery is to reduce the size of the stomach to make less eating possible which helps to reduce the weight. All these methods are collectively known as bariatric surgery.
2. Best Bariatric Surgeons in Pakistan:
Dr. Maaz Ul Hassan:
Dr. Maaz Ul Hassan is one of the best general surgeons in Lahore. He performed surgical obesity treatment of the world’s heaviest person (612 kg). He practices at Shalamar hospital, Lahore. Dr. Maaz is a Board Certified Surgeon with extensive experience in the surgical treatment of severe obesity. He has performed hundreds of operations for obesity and has a high success rate (over 95%) and a very low complication rate.
Dr. Zafar Iqbal Gondal:
Dr. Zafar Iqbal Gondal is a general, bariatric (weight loss/obesity) surgeon who practices at Mid City Hospital, Lahore. He has vast experience and expertise in Bariatric Surgery. Dr. Zaffar Iqbal Gondal was invited by senior surgeons to assist them in complicated bariatric surgery procedure. Dr. Zafar is a member of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. He has worked in many high volume centers in Dubai for the past 11 years which has the highest number of Bariatric Surgery in the Middle East.
3. Bariatric Surgery Cost in Pakistan:
The cost varies greatly on a number of factors such as doctors, hospital expenditure/equipment. It may be regarded as an expensive procedure. Bariatric surgery cost in Pakistan generally ranges from PKR 150,000 – 650,000.
4. Frequently asked questions about bariatric surgery:
Q: What qualifies you for bariatric surgery?
A: If you’re unable to lose weight with diet and exercise and your body mass index (BMI) is 40 or higher and you have a serious weight-related health problem, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or severe sleep apnea, then bariatric surgery is probably the right option for you to consider.
Q: Is bariatric surgery painful?
A: Patients tend to experience neck and shoulder pain after bariatric surgery. It is, however, normal to experience some discomfort after any surgery.
Q: How quickly do you lose weight after bariatric surgery?
A: After the first 30 days of bariatric surgery, the average weight loss is 5 to 15 pounds per week. In two months, a 20% loss of excess weight is noticed averagely.
Bariatric Surgery Success Rate:
Studies have confirmed that bariatric surgery results in successful long-term weight loss. More than 50% of excess body weight goes in weight loss and thus bariatric surgery can be termed as a successful procedure with a high success rate.