As more people continue to fall prey to unhealthy food habits, stressful work schedules and sedentary lifestyles, India is witnessing a sharp increase in the number of obesity cases in recent times. If recent estimate from NFHS is to go by, the prevalence of obesity in India has increased from 12.6 percent to 24 percent among women and 9.3 percent to 22.9 percent among men as compared to data from 2020-21.
Adding on to this is the sharp increase in the number of obesity cases even among the rural populace, which has resulted in an increasing number of people opting to undergo bariatric surgery. Uniquely positioned as an expert bariatric surgeon who also specializes in minimal access surgical technique is Dr Nitin Kumar Bansal.
Having completed his MBBS from PGIMS Rohtak and DNB in General Surgery from Mohandai Oswal Cancer Hospital (Ludhiana), he also holds a Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Minimal Access Surgery from Meenakshi Mission Hospital (Madurai). To further enhance his echelons of knowledge, Dr Nitin then went on to pursue training in robotic surgery from Institute of Minimal Access, Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.
Owing to the vast knowledge and expertise garnered over the years, he started his own practice in the tier-II city Karnal, becoming the first person to introduce bariatric surgery in the region. Today, at a time when most bariatric surgeons operate in metros or tier-I cities and patients are having to travel long distances to undergo the procedure, Dr Nitin is among the very few bariatric surgeons in India who are practicing in tier-II or tier-III cities.
“Hailing from a family of doctors, I was naturally inclined towards the medical profession and always aspired to be a surgeon. However, during my surgical training days, I observed that the prevalence of obesity was increasing drastically among the Indian population, which developed a special area of interest in me, as treating obesity will help treat numerous other comorbidities like diabetes and hypertension as well.
Thus, I took-up bariatric surgery as my specialization and further underwent training in Minimal Access Surgery with an aim to contribute towards the health and wellbeing of the society”, says Dr Nitin.
Key Areas of Specialization
As a pioneer in laparoscopic bariatric surgery in Haryana, Dr. Nitin’s major areas of practice are bariatric surgery, open & advanced laparoscopic gastrointestinal surgery, and laser proctology. However, bariatric surgery has always been Dr. Nitin’s primary forte and flagship area of expertise, wherein he is among the only handful of surgeons in India today who are specifically trained and mentored by numerous highly experienced bariatric surgeons.
This has been instrumental in his 11 years of successful career as a bariatric surgeon, enabling him to attract great word of mouth publicity in the region and get large number of patient referrals as well from individuals who have availed treatment at his hands in the past.
A proud advocate of bariatric surgery, Dr. Nitin not only strives to promote this revolutionary procedure and its advantages among the general public but also ensures to make it more accessible to all strata of the society. As a standing testimony to this, a major part of his patients have been transgenders despite the widespread stigma that still prevails around the community.
Till date, he has successfully performed bariatric surgery on over 500 transgender patients who approach him even from the most far-flung regions of India such as Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, thus earning him the reputation of a kind-hearted humanitarian soul among his patients as well as the medical community.
Apart from bariatric surgery, some of a few other surgical conditions that he provides treatment to include piles, varicose vein, gallstones, hernia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), appendicitis, esophageal disorders, laparoscopic colorectal surgeries, surgery for ovarian tumors, and many others. “At Global Cradle Hospital, we are passionate about healing the life that has been entrusted to us and are committed to adopt an integrated approach to meet patients’ needs.
Following international protocols of medicine to deliver excellent medical care with the best surgical outcomes, we always promote & enhance the patients’ experience by building a healthy community via a responsible & patient-centric network”, adds Dr. Nitin.
Standing a Class Apart
A key highlight of Dr. Nitin’s treatment that makes him stand-out among his peers is his unique approach to bariatric surgery. Following a consultative approach, he engages in an elaborate discussion with the patients & their families, provides a detailed information about the treatment plan, and answers any questions or queries that they might have. Going a step further, he also helps patients communicate with individuals from their own community or district who have undergone bariatric surgery under his care so that they can share their experience and get a better understanding of the entire procedure, thus enhancing their confidence levels to undergo the procedure without any fear or anxiety.
To further enhance the treatment outcomes for his patients, Dr. Nitin conducts a comprehensive analysis of each patient in terms of their lifestyle, eating habits, physical activity and other aspects prior to conducting the surgery. While latest laparoscopic instruments, visual systems, and advanced anesthesia are used to make the procedure safer for patients, Dr. Nitin leverages his expertise in minimal access techniques to make the surgery less painful with minimum complications.
Dr. Nitin’s patient-centricity doesn’t end there either. Well-aware of the importance of post-surgical care especially among patients who have undergone bariatric surgery, he also has a strong follow-up & support program at his hospital, where a team of highly experienced dieticians stay in touch with his patients post-surgery and prescribe suitable diet plans for each patient to ensure their speedy recovery and overall wellbeing.
Further, Dr. Nitin himself works closely with the dieticians’ team in formulating the diet plans for each patient and even calls them regularly to keep track of their recovery and body weight. Additionally, he is also available 24x7 for the patients in case they have any problems and offers timely remedial measure for them to avoid any further complications – a critical aspect that becomes the deciding factor during emergencies.
Reminiscing a patient case that has been particularly etched in his memory, Dr. Nitin elucidates, “One of the foreign patients from Australia whom I used to tele-consult had reported his weight to be 150 kg; but upon landing in India and meeting me, his weight was found to be 210 kg. He was almost bedridden and faced difficulty to perform even the easiest daily tasks. After a year of undergoing a successful bariatric surgery from me, not only is he able to do everything with ease but is also married and a truck driver now, leading a normal, happy life”.
Dr Nitin not only plays an active role in formulating the diet plans for each patient, but also regularly calls them to keep track of their bodyweight and overall recovery
The Vision Ahead
Given his exceptional track record and the widespread reputation that he has managed to garner over the years, going forward, Dr. Nitin aspires to setup a dedicated obesity center in Karnal. Any patient who walks into this center with obesity issues will be treated either through lifestyle modifications or new age drugs that have recently come-up in the market, while also facilitating bariatric surgery for cases where necessary.
When asked to share a piece of advice for budding surgeons aspiring to take-up superspeciality in bariatric surgery, Dr. Nitin asserts, “For anyone who wishes to get into bariatric surgery, I always advise them to get trained at a dedicated bariatric center where the volume of patients is high. Since such centers do bariatric procedures on a daily basis, they will be able to get a first-hand experience and exposure to the entire spectrum of obesity-related patients. Also, dedication is key to success in bariatric surgery wherein they have to be available 24x7 to ensure their patients’ recovery and wellbeing”.
Nitin Kumar Bansal, CEO, Director & Senior Consultant - Surgical Specialties, Global Cradle Hospital
Holding a DNB in General Surgery and FNB in Minimal Access Surgery, Dr. Nitin boasts of two decades of experience in General Surgery, Laparoscopic Surgery, Gastrointestinal Surgery and Bariatric Surgery. Along with pioneering laparoscopic bariatric surgery in Haryana, he is also trained in robotic surgery and has published numerous research papers as well.
Patient Testimonials
• Earlier, I was very heavy and weighed 143 kg. After undergoing bariatric surgery at the hands of Dr. Nitin, I feel very light and am able to walk as well as climb the stairs with ease. I am greatly satisfied with the treatment provided by the hospital and would definitely recommend Dr. Nitin for any patient in the future” – Shiv Prasad Mittal from Assam.
• My mother was very much overweight and unable to do anything at home; neither could she walk nor breathe fine. There were a lot of problems. A doctor from our hometown told us about this hospital and referred her to Dr. Nitin. Meeting him and consulting him made us feel better and a lot more comfortable to undergo bariatric surgery. Not only was my mother discharged very soon after undergoing the procedure, but she is doing really well now post-surgery” – Harish Ahluwalia from Fatehpur
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