Obesity is growing concern across the geography today. While it still remains misunderstood in the country’s most part as many view it as voluntary bad nutrition decisions without seeing it as a complex medical condition, India experiences a major transformation in its medical perspectives regarding obesity alongside lifestyle diseases. Anjali is one of the best examples of an obese individual’s case who took an aware step towards her health’s betterment realizing its significance.

For Anjali, a 38-year-old mother from Chennai, life felt like a constant struggle with obesity, PCOS, and self doubt. After years of failed attempts, she met Dr Neha Shah, a bariatric surgeon whose expertise and empathy changed her life. She recalls, “Dr Shah didn’t just perform my surgery. She gave me the tools, confidence, and care to reclaim my health”. Today, Anjali is 50 kilograms lighter, a proud mother, and thriving. Her story is one of thousands touched by Dr Shah, a trailblazing bariatric surgeon revolutionizing metabolic health in India.

The Inspiring Journey to Surgical Excellence

Dr Neha Shah’s journey began at Government Medical College in Surat, where she earned her MBBS and MS in General Surgery. Her early training at Chennai’s Government Peripheral Hospital, a hub for gastrointestinal surgery, ignited her passion for laparoscopic techniques. Under the mentorship of Dr J.S. Rajkumar, a pioneer in bariatric surgery, she honed her skills in minimally invasive and bariatric procedures, mastering the art of precision in complex operations.

Over the past 15 years, Dr Shah has performed over 2,000 bariatric surgeries, from sleeve gastrectomies to Roux-en-Y gastric bypasses, with a focus on safety and long-term success. Her expertise extends to endo bariatric procedures for patients, earning her recognition as one of India’s leading bariatric surgeons. She combines clinical rigour with a deep understanding of obesity as a multifaceted disease.

The Revolutionary Initiatives

In 2019, Dr Shah founded Swastya Gastro and Weight Loss Center in Chennai that redefines weight care. Unlike traditional clinics, Swastya offers a comprehensive ecosystem, including two skilled surgeons, certified dietitians, endocrinologists, fitness coaches, and psychologists work together to address every aspect of a patient’s journey. Whatever be the goal of patients, whether it’s pharmacotherapy or endo-bariatrics or surgical interventions, Swastya delivers science-backed, compassionate care for every weight care need. Dr Shah’s approach is deeply personal. As one of India’s few female bariatric surgeons, she creates a safe space for women grappling with postpartum weight gain, PCOS, or societal stigma. “Obesity isn’t just physical”, she says. “It’s emotional, hormonal, and cultural. My job is to guide patients through it all” Her patients describe her as a trusted ally, blending meticulous expertise with genuine warmth.

Dr Shah’s vision extends beyond the operating room. In 2023, she co-founded Leptyn, a digital platform to make weight loss accessible across India. Leptyn offers a digital first, affordable and accessible platform for patients to seek personalized diet plans, virtual consultations with weight care specialists, and progress tracking. For patients, where ever quality obesity care is scarce, Leptyn is a game-changer. Take Ravi, a 57 year old from Bellary in Karnataka, who lost 20 kilograms by subscribing to Online Weight Loss Program on Leptyn’s app.“Dr Shah’s team monitored me remotely, adjusting my plan week-on-week. Everything I needed was home delivered for me”, says Ravi. Leptyn’s comprehensive offering for weight care, empower patients to take charge of their health, proving that technology can bridge gaps in healthcare access.

The Family Affair Approach in Healing

Dr Shah’s commitment to care is a family endeavour. Alongside her husband, a renowned cardiac surgeon, she operates Namar Heart Hospital, a 30-bed facility offering integrated cardiac and metabolic care. Their healthcare enterprise, Namar Medicare International, reflects their shared mission to deliver excellence with empathy. “We’re not just treating patients”, Dr Shah explains, “We’re building healthier communities”. Dr Shah’s both sons are also pursuing career in medical sciences.

Vision for India’s Future

Dr Neha Shah is more than a surgeon, she’s a beacon of hope in India’s fight against obesity. She envisions a future where no Indian is denied quality obesity care. Her goal is ambitious, and that is to transform Leptyn into India’s premier digital metabolic health platform and establish five Swastya Centers of Excellence across the country by 2030. These centers will serve as hubs for affordable, evidence-based care, blending cutting-edge surgery with digital tools to reach underserved regions. Her work has already earned multiple accolades. Yet, for Dr Shah, the real reward is her patients’ transformations. “Every success story”, she says, “is a reminder of why I do this”.

Awards & Certificates:

. GEM Award(Recognition of performing excellent Lap Surgeries)
- Madurai ASI 2010
. Best Paper Award - ASI Conference 2010
. Sundaram Award (Best Paper) - State Conference, Pondicherry 2012
. Travelling Fellowship Award - ASI State Chapter 2012
. Award of Excellence (Outstanding work in the field of Laparoscopy) -
ASI 2016