Press Coverage

About Dr. Uday Pratap Singh:

Dr. Uday Pratap singh is consultant surgeon ay PARAS HMRI Hospital and specialised in bariatric surgery, which is performed on people suffering from obesity. An MBBS from PMCH of 1986-batch, Dr. Singh trained in laparoscopic, bariatric and metabolic surgery from King’s College Hospital in London. Here, he talks about the surgery, when it is needed.

How serious is obesity?

It is quite serious. For, obese people do not know they are suffering. Sure they may complain of diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, and shortness of breath, knee pain, kidney problems and what not, but they would never link it to their increase weight. Obesity, on an average, affects two million people across the globe! It can cause infertility in women and breast, colon, prostate, kidney and uterus cancer. The detection of these problems becomes difficult in an obese person due to the fat that has accumulated.

Does Obesity trigger mental issues, too?

It does. People who are obese get sceptical about their appearance. This significantly harms there self confidence, as they feel that they have become unattractive. There have been cases, where an obese person could not attend job interviews due to low self-confidence. It causes depression and people even start developing suicidal tendencies.

How does bariatric surgery help?

Bariatric surgery is of two types, both of which lead to drastic weight loss. In my training and career; I have met patients who are suffering from various obesity-related problems. They were cured within days of the surgery, as there was hardly enough fat to counter their efforts at being healthy. It developed their self confidence too.

How is it different from other surgeries?

Most surgeries mark the end of a medical problem. Bariatric surgery is a beginning. It is followed by strict dietary restrictions. Liquid diet is prescribed for the first four weeks after the surgery, semi solid diet for two weeks after that and solid diets for the next two weeks, at the least. After two months, exercising schedules are implemented. All the while, weight loss is observed and the person becomes leaner and better.

Who should not go in for this surgery?

Drug addicts, mentally unfit individuals, people with breathing disorders and alcoholics are excluded from this type of surgery, simply because they lack the willpower needed to implement the strict regimen that comes after the surgery. A strict evaluation of an individual’s physical and mental health, lifestyle choices pertaining to health and habits and addiction is conducted before the surgery is prescribed.

Describe the demand and supply scenario for this surgery in Patna.

In the six months after I joined Paras Hospital almost 50 cases were referred for this surgery. That is no small number. As for supply, no other hospital offers this surgery here. It needs a multi-disciplinary team of doctors, which includes a surgeon, dietician, psychiatrist, endocrinologist, cardiologist, pulmonologist and anaesthetist. Such a team is necessary for accurate diagnosis and to avoid any complications