 Hello friends, I am Dr. Siddharth Bhatacharya, Consultant Bariatric Surgeon at Manipal Hospital, Sipur Kathar. What is Bariatric Surgery? Bariatric surgery is a laparoscopically performed weight loss surgery. In this surgery, there are a few types. In this surgery, we either reduce the size of the stomach pouch or along with that, we also bypass the intestines. So, in this case, there are two types of procedures. The first procedure is a gastric sleep procedure where the stomach is reduced in size and the gastric bypass procedure where part of the intestine is also bypassed along with reducing the size of the stomach. So, who can undergo Bariatric surgery? Anybody with a BMI of more than 37.5 or anybody with a BMI of more than 32.5 along with associated diseases like diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, sleep apnea, can undergo Bariatric surgery. Even those patients who are suffering from poorly controlled diabetes can undergo Bariatric surgery at an even lower level. So, how does the weight loss happen after Bariatric surgery? After Bariatric surgery, weight loss happens over a period of one year. Every month, the patient uses about 3-5 kgs at an even pace till the patient loses most of their excess weight. In this process, our team of dieticians and myself, we take care of the patient. We guide the patient as to how to take the diet, how to follow an exercise routine so that there is a flawless method of weight loss after Bariatric surgery. What are the benefits of Bariatric surgery? The obvious benefit of Bariatric surgery is weight loss. Patient loses weight after Bariatric surgery at an even pace. Most patients lose 3-5 kgs per month up to a period of 1-1.5 years in the process of losing most of their excess weight. But weight loss is not the only benefit of Bariatric surgery. The other diseases which are associated with obesity are also improved after Bariatric surgery. Merely 80% of patients with diabetes are put off their medications. 70% of patients with hypertension are put off their medications. Patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome, fatty liver, obstructive stupapnea have reversal of these diseases. Even the cancer discs come down. Other than the medical benefit, there is also the benefit of improved self-image and confidence amongst these patients. Overall, Bariatric surgery increases the longevity of the patient. Many patients ask us, is Bariatric surgery covered under medical insurance? So the good news is that Bariatric surgery is now covered under medical insurance. As a result of which, many patients are taking Bariatric surgery now. Thank you very much for your time.