For the first time in Asian history, let alone Indian medical history, a woman weighing 350Kg has undergone bariatric surgery.

The lady who suffers from a number of illnesses including diabetes, sleep apnoea and hypertension was warned of the consequences if she didn’t do something about her condition. She was also bed-bound for the past 5 years due to her obese condition.

Speaking with reporters her surgeon, Dr. Mohit said: “This is the first time in Asia that a woman weighing 350 kg has gone under the scalpel for reducing weight through laproscopic surgery method.”

He added: “After the two-hour long surgery the condition of the 40-year-old woman is stable and we are hopeful that her weight will be reduced to somewhere around 150 kgs within next five months.”

Prior to the surgery the patient’s Body Mass Index (BMI) totalled to 132, which is 5 times that of someone considered to be of normal weight. In fact, dieticians believe a BMI of 25 is normal, while those with BMI’s between 25 and 30 are slightly overweight. Beyond 30 then individuals are thought to be moving into the realms of obesity.

Bariatric surgery involves a number of procedures depending on the severity of the obesity and the condition of the patient. It could involve simply reducing the size of the stomach by restricting the amount of food that can be absorbed. Or it may mean a more invasive form, which entails the removal of a portion of the stomach.

In the above-mentioned Indian woman’s case she had keyhole surgery or laproscopic surgery with incisions being made through the abdomen.

Evidently the operation was a success as the patient stated she had been given a new lease of life.