Obesity has emerged as one of the most pressing global health challenges and is now a rapidly escalating concern in India. With projections indicating a sharp rise in obesity and diabetes over the next decade, this field demands attention and surgical interventions, particularly when medications and lifestyle changes alone fall short. This is where bariatric surgery plays a vital role. Bariatric surgery involves various surgical procedures designed to support weight loss and improve metabolic health.

It is a highly technical and skill intensive specialty that requires continuous engagement with patients before, during, and long after the procedure. This comprehensive spectrum of care, which include educating patients, preparing them for surgery, performing complex interventions and supporting their long-term recovery, is what drew Dr Akshan Ugale to the field.

Dr Akshan Ugale is a Bariatric, Metabolic, and Laparoscopic Surgeon with over a decade of experience. He completed his MBBS and MS in General Surgery at Deccan Medical College in Hyderabad, followed by advanced training in laparoscopic surgery. For the past five years, Dr Akshan has been practicing as a consultant surgeon at Ugale Bariatrics in Hyderabad, one of the region’s higher volume centers for bariatric procedures.

In September 2024, he was awarded a prestigious international fellow -ship by the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO), becoming the sole recipient from India. As part of the program, he trained at Austin Health and affiliated hospitals in Melbourne, one of Australia’s busiest bariatric centers, gaining valuable clinical insights and expanding his global perspective in the field.

Approach to Bariatric Care

Dr Akshan’s surgical expertise spans a range of laparoscopic procedures, but his primary focus lies in bariatric and metabolic surgery. For him, bariatric care isn’t just about the surgery, it’s a long-term, patient-centered process that begins well before the operating room.

Every patient undergoes thorough education, diagnostic workups, and multidisciplinary evaluations to ensure they understand the inter connected health issues they face. Comorbidities like type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and sleep apnea are considered in building a holistic treatment plan. His team’s structured approach includes consultations with an in-house nutritionist, a detailed metabolic form assessing both physical and behavioral aspects, and multiple physician consults before finalizing a personalized course of action.

In the operating room, he works with a close-knit team of 2–3 experienced surgeons to ensure safety and efficiency. Post-operative care is just as meticulous, with follow-ups scheduled over the span of a year and continuous support from the nutritionist and

broader care team. Even patients who opt out of surgery remain within the system, able to access dietary guidance, fitness advice, or natural therapy support as needed.

Alongside surgical treatments, Dr Akshan also offers non-surgical weight loss solutions, including the swallowable intragastric balloon procedure. This outpatient treatment, which does not require anesthesia, endoscopy, or hospitalization, has proven to be a valuable option for patients with moderate obesity (BMI in the low 30s) who may not yet require surgery.

Success story: From 270 to 130 Kilos

One of the most impactful cases Dr Akshan recalls is that of a patient from Kuwait who discovered the Hyderabad based center through social media outreach. Weighing around 270 kilos, the patient faced severe challenges with mobility, breathing, and overall daily functioning. In his home country, he had to rely on a specially modified vehicle simply to get around, as he couldn’t fit into a standard car.

After arriving in Hyderabad, the patient underwent comprehensive consultations and medical evaluations. Once deemed fit for surgery, he underwent a bariatric procedure under Dr. Akshan’s care. The trans -formation that followed was extraordinary. Within six months, the patient had shed approximately 110 kilos, eventually reaching a total weight loss of 140 kilos.

But more than the numbers, it was the quality of life shift that stood out. He no longer needed his custom vehicle, could walk independently, shop for regular clothes, and most significantly, breathe and move with ease.

Bariatric surgery is not a one-time solution, it marks the beginning of a lifelong journey toward better health

Navigating Challenges

A major challenge Dr Akshan continues to address is the widespread misconception that bariatric surgery is cosmetic rather than a medical necessity. Despite it being officially recognized as a metabolic treatment and covered by insurance, awareness remains low. Through social media, campaigns, and patient outreach, Dr Akshan actively works to shift this perception and educate its life-saving potential.

Cost is another barrier, as the procedure is more expensive than routine surgeries. When possible, helps patients navigate insurance claims or adjusts costs to make care more accessible.

Patient care also extends far beyond the operating table. As Dr Akshan puts it, “Weight loss is not a destination, it’s a journey”. Bariatric surgery is not a one-time solution it marks the beginning of a lifelong journey toward better health. Recognizing this, Dr Akshan ensures his patients remain under close observation, receiving continuous support and tailored guidance to help them achieve and sustain their health goals.

In addition to his surgical work, he contributes to hospital management at Kirloskar Hospital, focusing on improving efficiency and implementing recovery protocols like ERAS to enhance outcomes. “Balancing surgical work with administrative leadership is challenging, but it aligns with my vision to create a more responsive and patient-centered healthcare environment”, he shares.

Vision & Values in Bariatric Care

Dr Akshan is focused on expanding the scope of bariatric care through advanced training in robotic surgery. At the same time, he feels a strong responsibility to increase public awareness around obesity and diabetes, particularly central obesity, which is often overlooked despite being more harmful. Through community outreach and social media, he aims to educate people on the wide range of available treatments, including non-surgical options. He also advocates for metabolic surgeries such as laparoscopic ileal interposition for type 2 diabetes, a procedure his team pioneered in India.

Dr Akshan says that bariatric surgery is not a field to rush into, it takes time to build a strong practice and demands teamwork. Whether it’s collaborating with fellow surgeons or involving specialists like endocrinologists and pulmonologists he emphasizes the importance of a robust ecosystem that surrounds patient care. Cutting corners, whether in learning or in procedure, is a strict no in his book. “It can endanger patient safety and undermine the quality of care”, he says. For him, long-term health outcomes stem from a holistic patient-first approach rooted in doing what’s genuinely best for each individual.