13 Reasons Why Thousands of International Patients Choose Dr. Shashank Shah’s Laparo-Obeso Center for Bariatric Surgery in India

1. Dr. Shashank Shah’s Expertise

With over 32 years of experience and 50,000+ surgeries performed, Dr. Shah is a pioneer in laparoscopic bariatric surgery. He has completed more than 10,000 bariatric procedures and was the first surgeon globally to be awarded the “super surgeon” title. 

His research on surgical treatment for Type 2 diabetes earned him the prestigious Vivian Fonseca Scholar Award from the American Diabetes Association.

2. Accredited Center of Excellence

Laparo-Obeso Center is the first in the world to be certified as a Centre of Excellence by the Surgical Review Committee of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. 

The center is also ranked as Pune’s No. 1 single-specialty hospital for bariatric surgery and is NABH accredited, ensuring top-quality and safety standards in all procedures.

3. Positive Patient Outcomes

Many patients report significant weight loss and improvements in conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure after surgery. Success stories from former patients highlight the center’s ability to deliver lasting, life-changing results.

4. Expertise in High-Risk Cases 

Dr. Shah has successfully handled complex cases, including patients with severe obesity. His expertise in treating high-risk cases has earned him international trust and respect from patients worldwide.

“Padma Shri Dr. D.Y. Patil was operated at the age of 74 with history with history of 5 angioplasties, uncontrolled diabetes (200 unites of insulin everyday)and severe breathlessness. And all the comorbidities were resolves post surgery.”  

5. Personalized Care

Every patient receives a custom treatment plan based on their health profile. The center focuses on personalized care from pre-operative assessments to post-operative nutrition and recovery, ensuring better weight loss and health outcomes.

6. Advanced Surgical Techniques

Dr. Shah uses the latest laparoscopic methods, which mean smaller cuts, less pain, faster recovery, and shorter hospital stays. 

These modern techniques reduce the risk of complications, making the experience smoother and more comfortable for patients.

7. Comprehensive Support

The center offers full support before and after surgery, including nutrition counseling, psychological help, and access to support groups. This holistic care helps patients adjust to lifestyle changes, improving long-term results.

8. Affordable Costs

Bariatric surgery in India is much more affordable than in many Western countries, typically costing between $3,500 and $6,500. This makes it easier for patients to receive top-quality care without the financial burden.

9. No Waiting Times

Unlike healthcare systems where patients wait months for elective surgeries, the Laparo-Obeso Center allows patients to schedule their surgery quickly, providing timely care for obesity-related health issues.

10. Multilingual Team

The center’s staff speaks multiple languages, including English, ensuring international patients can communicate clearly about their treatment and concerns without language barriers.

11. Supportive Environment

The center is known for its caring and attentive staff. They create a warm, welcoming atmosphere, making patients feel comfortable and supported throughout their treatment.

12. Tourism and Recovery

Patients can combine treatment with exploring India’s rich culture and beautiful scenery. The center often helps patients plan recovery time to enjoy local attractions, making their stay more fulfilling.

13. Global Recognition

Dr. Shah and the Laparo-Obeso Center are internationally recognized, drawing patients from across the globe. Their excellence in bariatric surgery has been featured by media outlets such as the BBC and National Geographic, highlighting Dr. Shah’s groundbreaking work.

Patients choose the Laparo-Obeso Center not only for its advanced medical care but for the personalized, supportive environment that makes each patient’s journey smoother and more successful

Benefits of Bariatric Surgery for Hypertension 

You have hypertension, or high blood pressure when the pressure in your arteries is too high for a long time. Your heart is like a pump pushing blood through hoses (your arteries). Imagine your heart has to consistently push too hard. It can cause problems. 

The blood pressure is measured with two numbers: systolic (when your heart beats) and diastolic (when your heart rests). 

If your blood pressure is 130/80 mm Hg or higher, you might have hypertension.

How Obesity Affects Blood Pressure

Research shows that being very overweight, or obese, is a major cause of high blood pressure, or hypertension. 

In fact, up to 75% of people with high blood pressure are also obese. 

Obesity and blood pressure affect each other: being obese can lead to high blood pressure, and having high blood pressure can make people gain weight. This creates a cycle that makes it harder to treat and manage both conditions.

Let’s understand how obesity, or being very overweight, can lead to hypertension

Here are 5 factors that affect the blood pressure.

1. Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS): This system helps control blood pressure and fluid balance. Extra fat can make this system work too much. When it’s overactive, it raises blood pressure by holding onto sodium and making blood vessels tighter.
2. Sympathetic Nervous System: Extra belly fat can make this part of your body work harder, speeding up your heart and raising blood pressure.
3. Hormones: Obesity messes with hormones, causing insulin problems and inflammation, which can damage blood vessels and increase blood pressure.
4. Kidney Pressure: Extra weight puts pressure on your kidneys, making them less effective at controlling blood pressure.
5. Endothelial Dysfunction: Obesity can inflame your blood vessels, making them less flexible, which raises blood pressure.

Blood pressure is one of the most common issues in India and people live with it and accept it as part of their normal life.

However, when someone is obese and has a BMI of 35 kg/m² or more, the situation may get worse.

Complications of High Blood Pressure

Let’s understand why it is critical to manage hypertension if you are also obese.

Heart Disease: Over time, high blood pressure can damage your arteries, leading to reduced blood flow. This can lead to serious heart problems, like heart attacks and heart failure. 

Stroke: There is a risk of stroke because of blocking or bursting blood vessels in the brain, which can cause brain damage.

Kidney Damage: High blood pressure can harm the small blood vessels in your kidneys, leading to kidney disease or failure.

Vision Problems: It can damage the blood vessels in your eyes, which might lead to vision problems or even loss of sight.

Cognitive Decline: When the brain receives less blood flow than needed, it can cause memory problems and increase the risk of dementia.

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD): Arteries in your legs may become narrow, making walking painful.

Hypertensive Crisis: Extremely high blood pressure (180/120 mm Hg or more) can cause an emergency that needs immediate treatment.

At the Laparo-Obeso Centre in Pune, India, Dr Shahsank Shah has operated on thousands of patients who were obese and had hypertension.

When Bariatric Surgery Might Help

Dr Shashank Shah recommends bariatric surgery as a great option for people with severe obesity and high blood pressure. 

Here are the situations in which you may consider bariatric surgery:

Uncontrolled Hypertension: You are taking several medications, but your blood pressure is still high 

Resistant Hypertension: If you consistently need three or more medicines to control your blood pressure.

Obesity Levels: If you have a BMI between 30 and 39.9 kg/m² and high blood pressure, and exercise and diet aren’t working for you.

This means if you are obese and fighting with high blood pressure and even multiple medications are not getting things in control, you should consider bariatric surgery.

What Are the Benefits of Bariatric Surgery for Hypertension 

Possible Remission: Many people see their high blood pressure go away after surgery. About 60-70% of patients have their blood pressure controlled within the first year.

Less Medication: About 83.7% of patients who had gastric bypass surgery reduced their blood pressure medications, compared to only 12.8% who used just medicine.

Long-Term Results: The rates of getting rid of high blood pressure can be as high as 50% within a year, and 31.9% after around 6.5 years.

How Surgery Helps Lower Blood Pressure

Weight Loss: Losing a lot of weight can lower blood pressure.

Better Insulin Sensitivity: Improved insulin use can help manage blood pressure.

Less Inflammation: Surgery can reduce inflammation in the body, which is linked to high blood pressure.

Hormonal Changes: Surgery increases hormones that help get rid of sodium, which can lower blood pressure.

Kidney Function: Less fat around the kidneys means less pressure on them, improving blood pressure control.

What Are The Changes You Feel After Treating Hypertension

Here’s what we have observed about our patients once they manage or cure high blood pressure.

Physical Changes:

More Energy: Your organs and tissues get better oxygen and nutrition with better blood flow.  You feel more energetic and less tired.

Better Sleep: Your sleep may improve, as high blood pressure often disrupts sleep.

Fewer Symptoms: Headaches, dizziness, or nosebleeds might go away, making you feel better overall.

Weight Loss: Imagine 60 to 80% of extra weight is shredded from your body – you feel lighter, more energetic and 

Easier Physical Activity: With better blood pressure, physical activities may become easier and more enjoyable.

And it doesn’t stop at the physical changes.

Emotional and Psychological Changes Of Managing or Curing Hypertension:

Increased Confidence: You feel more in control of your health.

Less Anxiety: You feel more relaxed rather than being anxious most of the time.

Improved Mood: Since you feel better physically it often leads to a better mood and outlook on life.

Sense of Accomplishment: Successfully managing or curing hypertension can make you feel proud and motivated to keep up with healthy habits.

Understanding how hypertension works, and how obesity affects it, can help in managing and preventing serious health issues. 

Whether through lifestyle changes or medical interventions, taking steps to control blood pressure can lead to a healthier and happier life.

If you are struggling with obesity and hypertension, consulting with Dr. Shashank Shah could be the first step towards better health.

Sadly, India is known as the “Diabetes Capital of the World.” Right now, around 101 million people in India have diabetes. Experts think this number could grow to 135 million by 2045. 

This means that about 17% of all people with diabetes in the world live in India, showing that diabetes is a big health problem for the country.

The main reasons are high calorie, high-fat, and high-sugar diets, physical inactivity, genetic factor, obesity and lack of awareness. For patients who struggle to manage their diabetes with diet, exercise, or medication and are at high risks for other serious health conditions, metabolic surgery is a great solution.

What is Metabolic Surgery for Type 2 Diabetes?

Metabolic surgery, a type of bariatric surgery, is a powerful approach to treating type 2 diabetes, especially in people who are overweight. 

This procedure goes beyond weight loss; it alters how the body handles sugar and insulin by changing the stomach and intestines. As a result, it can significantly reduce or even reverse type 2 diabetes, making it a proven solution.

How Metabolic Surgery Works

Metabolic surgery aids in weight loss and changes the hormones in the gut that control blood sugar levels. 

This leads to better insulin sensitivity and more stable blood sugar control. 

While researchers are still exploring exactly how this surgery improves type 2 diabetes, some key mechanisms include:

Weight Loss: Reduces fat that affects metabolism.

Increased Hormones: GLP-1 hormone levels increase, improving insulin sensitivity.

Faster Gastric Emptying: Nutrients reach the intestines quicker, aiding metabolism.

Changes in Bile Acids and Gut Bacteria: These changes enhance metabolic function.

How Effective is Metabolic Surgery?

Metabolic surgery has been shown to be highly effective in treating type 2 diabetes. 

Here are some statistics from studies:

• 77% of Patients: Experience diabetes remission within 14.6 months after surgery.
• 72% at 2 Years: Achieve remission, compared to 21% who rely only on medication.
• 49% of RYGB Patients: Reach key health goals (HbA1c under 7%, LDL under 100 mg/dL, and blood pressure under    130/80 mmHg) within a year, compared to 19% with medical therapy alone.
• Even with a BMI under 35: Patients can see improvements in glucose and lipid levels after surgery.

Differences Between Metabolic Surgery and Bariatric Surgery

Though often used interchangeably, metabolic surgery and bariatric surgery have distinct purposes:

• Definition: Bariatric surgery is designed to help people with obesity lose weight, while metabolic surgery, a type of bariatric surgery, focuses specifically on treating metabolic conditions like type 2 diabetes, regardless of a patient’s weight.
• Patient Criteria: Bariatric surgery is typically recommended for those with a BMI over 35 or a BMI over 30 with other health issues. Metabolic surgery can be suitable for individuals with a BMI as low as 30, especially if they have type 2 diabetes.
• Goals: The primary goal of bariatric surgery is weight loss. For metabolic surgery, the focus is on improving or curing metabolic conditions like diabetes, even if weight loss is not the main objective.
• How They Work: Bariatric surgery mainly reduces food intake or absorption, while metabolic surgery also changes gut hormones and how the body manages blood sugar.

Typical Candidates for Metabolic Surgery

Ideal candidates for metabolic surgery usually have type 2 diabetes and are overweight or obese. Here’s when it’s recommended:

• BMI of 30 or Higher: For Asian patients, a BMI of 27 or more might be sufficient due to different body types and health risks.
• Uncontrolled Diabetes: Patients who struggle to manage their diabetes with diet, exercise, or medication and face high risks.
• Other Health Issues: Those with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or sleep apnea, which complicate diabetes management, may benefit from metabolic surgery.
• Lifestyle Commitment: Patients must be willing to make lifelong changes in their diet and exercise to maintain weight loss and prevent diabetes from returning.
• Health Status: While there’s no strict age limit, candidates are usually adults in good health, aside from their metabolic issues. A thorough health check is done to ensure surgery is safe.

In short, people with a BMI of 30 or higher, who have poorly controlled type 2 diabetes and are ready to change their lifestyle, are good candidates for metabolic surgery. 

This surgery is a recognized treatment option for diabetes, especially when other methods haven’t worked.

Types of Metabolic Surgery

Here are some common types of metabolic surgery:

• Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB): This procedure involves creating a small stomach pouch and connecting it directly to the small intestine, bypassing the rest of the stomach. It leads to reliable weight loss with fewer risks.
• Sleeve Gastrectomy: In this surgery, about two-thirds of the stomach is removed, leaving a narrow, sleeve-shaped stomach. This change in gut hormones and metabolism promotes weight loss and can lead to diabetes remission.
• Single Anastomosis Duodeno-Ileal Bypass with Sleeve Gastrectomy (SADI-S): A newer version of the duodenal switch surgery, it combines a sleeve gastrectomy with rerouting of the small intestine, reducing calorie absorption. It has excellent results for weight loss and diabetes remission with fewer side effects.

By choosing metabolic surgery at the Laparo-Obeso Centre with experts like Dr. Shashank Shah, patients can explore a life-changing option for managing and potentially reversing type 2 diabetes.

To know more about metabolic surgery to improve or reverse your type 2 diabetes, click here to schedule your consultation.