Affordable weight loss surgery now at Belapur

South Mumbai Doctor Dr Muffazal Lakdawala sets up an outpost at Nanesh Hospital, Belapur

Obesity is a big concern in India. Already our country is 3^rd in obesity and 2nd in diabetes breaking the myth of India being a malnourished country. Navi Mumbai is one area in Mumbai without any bariatric surgery specialists. This is the voice as heard in a qualitative survey done by a researcher. Which is why, India’s most celebrated weight loss surgeon Dr Muffazal Lakdawala, the founder of CODS and the chairman of the Minimal Invasive Access and his team have decided to look at Navi Mumbai as their next outpost for consultation and surgery for weight loss surgery, diet consultation and weight management.

Dr Muffi and Nitin Gadkari after weight loss

In a day-long seminar, queries about surgery, weight loss, balloon, costs and what food to eat to reduce weight were addressed at Nanesh Hospital in Sector 8 in Belapur. Attended by 50 residents of Belapur, these were answered by Dr Amit Sood, Dr Aparna Govil and nutritionist Neha Dhulla from the CODS team. The seminars were very informative. Says Shirisha G, a resident of Sanpada who came to listen to the seminar, “I had heard so much about Dr Lakdawala and I finally met him and his team and all my queries on bariatric surgery were completely resolved.”

What’s also key is the surgical facilities available here. Dr Lakdawala, whose team will be operating at Nanesh Hospital, Belapur, “I cannot operate everyone and be everywhere. Which is why the best team I have trained will now be operating here. If I ever needed a surgery, I would definitely ask this team of Dr Aparna and Dr Amit would operate on me. We have the same world class facilities with the laparoscopic screen and cart, the anesthetic unit, and the same surgical technique and material and finesse as needed for b  ariatric surgery as anywhere else in the country here. What’s important is that the team has been backed by experience after having done over 4000 bariatric surgeries we have done.”

CODS SURGICAL TEAM

For Dr Aparna and Dr Amit, the Belapur unit will also allow them to reach out in the process of creating CODS as a medical tourism hub in Belapur. Dr Sood, who has been working with CODS since 2011 says, “As the International Airport plans to be opened here, we can look at catering those patients from International places. Besides, the awareness of obesity is now becoming higher and can get answered easily.” Dr Aparna, who will also be operating at Nanesh Hospital in Belapur says, “Given busy lifestyle, it’s time for us doctors to make the effort to come here rather than making the patients come all the way to South Mumbai. Also given any lack of organized infrastructure in Belapur, this will help us reach out faster and better to as many people as possible.”

Dr Muffi with Kavi Kumar Azaad Dr Haathi

Today, the need for weight loss surgery is immense says Dr Lakdawala. “In 2004, I operated 4 people. Today, we operate over 1000+ patients. This is how obesity has changed.” Known for single incision surgery, Dr Muffazal Lakdawala is the pioneer of scarless surgery – where surgery happens with minimal cut, no scar and little pain. Dr Lakdawala has also operated on Salma Khan, actress Reena Roy, ministers Nitin Gadkari, Venkaih Naidu and industrialist Dilip Piramal.

Recounting an incident on how bariatric surgery changes lives, Dr Lakdawala said, “This is the only surgery which changes a patient’s life completely. I had a parent with two daughters – one of which was obese who came to the clinic. The daughter who was fat hated the mother and sister who were skinny. She even tried to commit suicide. Today, she’s operated successfully and is married. This is what weight loss surgery can do. We don’t understand the psychological impact of obesity. But that’s how life can be changed.”

Dr. Lakdawala, together with his team run the leading Medical Institute – The Centre for Obesity and Digestive Surgieries (CODS), India. Known for 100% success rate, CODS India team have done the maximum no. of weight loss surgeries in India, i.e. more than 4000 surgeries in 10 years, and still counting. CODS India also comprises of a team of nutritionists, psychologists and well-trained staff who ensure both pre and post-operative care for the patients.