The 44-year-old Nilesh Ramyash Tiwari, who survived an accident in childhood and recently defeated Covid-19, once again fought ill-fate as he underwent successful bariatric surgery losing 43 kg.
Prior to going under scissors, he weighed a crushing 122 kg and had a body mass index of 42.2 Kg/m2. Tiwari, who is into the business of surgical device supply, had undergone right leg amputation in a road traffic accident when he was 13- year-old.
Over the years, he gradually gained weight. He also suffered from severe Covid-19 infection two years back and was treated with steroids. This led to steroid induced avascular necrosis of both hip joints, which added to his problems and hampered his mobility.
With advancing age, his weight started increasing and he crossed 100 kg when he was 27-year-old. Despite his challenging daily schedule, Tiwari walked the extra mile with a prosthetic leg and succeeded in shedding 25 kg in 2014 by following a self supervised diet and exercise regime. Due to his busy schedule and less physical activity, he was unable to sustain this weight loss.
He started regaining weight gradually, and weighed 112 kg. Briefing about his medical condition, a doctor said, “In July 2020, Covid hit him hard and he was admitted to a hospital for more than 3 weeks with breathing difficulties and lung involvement.
Later, he was admitted to the ICU for 10 days and was treated with NIV support, antiviral medications and steroids. He recovered from Covid but soon started experiencing severe pain in both hip joints. He also gained more weight during this period and this adversely impacted his daily activities and mobility.”
Consultant bariatric surgeon Dr Aparna Govil Bhasker said, “There are multiple types of bariatric surgeries. Tiwari underwent bariatric surgery for weight loss in the form of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in August 2021.
Bariatric surgery is the only effective method for sustained weight loss in patients with severe obesity when BMI > 35 Kg/m2.” Explaining about the surgical procedure, the doctor said the stomach is divided vertically using surgical staplers and a sleeve-like pouchis created in a gastric sleeve operation.
This restricts the quantity of food intake, leads to early satiety, reduces appetite, and causes many hormonal changes, whichlead to weight loss, she added. Elated over his weight loss, Tiwari said, “Obesity was a very big roadblock for me. I am fortunate to be able to get timely intervention with the help of Dr. Aparna Bhasker and Mariam Lakdawala. I am thankful to them for giving me a second lease of life.”
