Over the past two decades, India has seen surgery evolve a great deal thanks to new minimal invasive procedures. Because of their more precise nature, smaller cuts and fast recovery times, patients now benefit from greater success after these procedures. Bariatric surgery which started out solely for treating extreme obesity, has grown into a way to improve the health of individuals with diabetes and hypertension. Because of the increased number of lifestyle diseases in India, people are seeking out such advanced surgery choices. Dr Gourav Das is at the front of this change in Odisha, as a leading GI and laparoscopic surgeon who has made bariatric and metabolic surgery popular and advanced minimally invasive methods in the area.

Starting with an MBBS, Dr Gourav Das completed an MS in General Surgery to develop a good foundation in surgical care. Inspired by gastro -intestinal diseases and caring for patients with cancer, he trained at well-known Indian institutes to become an expert in both minimally invasive and cancer treatments. Dr Gourav Das used his advanced surgical training to introduce Odisha’s first Single-Incision Laparoscopic Surgery in 2009. Because of this technique, patients feel less pain, scar much less and start recovery sooner, signaling a fresh era in operating rooms.

His pioneering spirit continued with Odisha’s first laparoscopic colorectal surgery in 2011 and laparoscopic stomach cancer surgery in 2012. These landmark operations not only established Dr Gourav Das as a surgical innovator but also brought advanced care closer to thousands who otherwise would have traveled to distant metro hospitals.

Mastering Complex Gastrointestinal Surgeries

The conditions Dr Gourav Das treats include diseases of the stomach, colon, rectum, pancreas, liver and gallbladder. He is highly known for performing laparoscopic cancer surgery, a procedure that calls for accurately removing tumors before they spread and careful preservation of healthy tissue. A woman around the age of 50 who was diagnosed with early colorectal cancer is a case that stands out in his mind.

Initially hesitant due to fears of pain and hospitalization, Dr Gourav Das patiently explained the benefits of laparoscopic intervention, including less invasiveness, reduced discomfort, and faster recovery.

“When patients understand their condition and feel truly heard, they heal not only faster but better”, says Dr Gourav Das.

Among his most frequent and impactful procedures is hernia repair. Dr Gourav Das offers both open and laparoscopic techniques, selecting the best approach based on the hernia’s type and the patient’s health. While open surgery involves a larger incision and manual reinforcement, laparoscopic repair uses small incisions with specialized instruments and a camera, ensuring quicker recovery and better cosmetic results. Thanks to Dr Gourav Das’ precise techniques and patient-first philosophy, his patients enjoy low recurrence rates and high satisfaction.

True success in surgery isn’t just about precision in the operating room, it’s about helping patients regain their lives with dignity and renewed hope

Compassionate, Team-Based Care

Dr Gourav Das believes that medical care matters throughout the patient’s journey. He believes in healing the whole person, taking care of physical, emotional and psychological concerns at once. No matter the patient, he aims to fully explain their illness, what caring dayto-day looks like for them and what they can expect as they improve.

Being clear helps to build trust and calms down worried minds. All the professionals on his team anesthetists, physiotherapists, nurses and counselors operate as one team. “To carry out surgery successfully, it takes a team”, says Dr Gourav Das. Since all experts on the oncology team participate in planning treatment, there is a close working relationship between radiologists, oncologists and pathologists.

Dr Gourav Das keeps abreast with changes in technology by attending events around the world. Laparoscopic systems, energy machines and high-definition imaging equipment are all used in his operating rooms. His commitment to using SILS made surgery in Odisha more effective and pleasing for clients.

Likewise, his minimally invasive techniques for colorectal and gastric cancers introduced advanced cancer care to a region long awaiting such expertise. Mentorship is central to his mission. Dr Gourav Das actively trains young surgeons in advanced laparoscopic skills, emphasizing precision, empathy, and communication. Thanks to his guidance, many emerging surgeons in Odisha now confidently handle complex cases, contributing to the state’s self-reliance in specialized care.

One remarkable case reflects Dr Gourav Das’ evolving focus on metabolic surgery. A man with a BMI around 40, reliant on an insulin pump for diabetes, struggled with uncontrolled diabetes and hypertension. “I told him this was a golden opportunity to undergo bariatric or metabolic surgery.

You can get rid of both conditions together”, says Dr Gourav Das. This highlights how bariatric surgery has shifted from purely weight loss to metabolic intervention a powerful tool against lifestyle diseases and underscores Dr Gourav Das’ commitment to tailored, patient-specific solutions.

Future Vision

Dr Gourav Das looks forward to a day when surgical care of the highest standards reaches all parts of Odisha, including towns and rural communities. His mission is to set up regional facilities where experts, teams and powerful technologies can support patients and prepare new surgeons.

Making people aware of colon cancer and catching it early are major parts of his vision. Educating communities about gastrointestinal disease symptoms can drastically reduce late-stage cancer cases, making community outreach and health education vital.