In a rare and complex case, doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) successfully performed a life-saving bariatric surgery on a 44-year-old woman from Sangam Vihar suffering from super-super obesity—a condition defined by a Body Mass Index (BMI) above 60.
The patient, weighing 146.5 kg at just 135 cm height, had a staggering BMI of 80.4, among the highest recorded in the country. Over the past three years, she struggled with failed attempts at diet and exercise, eventually developing severe breathing problems, sleep disruption, and dependence on CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) support. Her deteriorating health left her bedridden.
A Battle for Survival
Admitted to AIIMS in mid-July, her condition was critical—marked by respiratory distress, kidney dysfunction, right heart failure, pulmonary artery hypertension, chronic liver disease with ascites, and poor urine output. Doctors placed her in the ICU for a month-long medical stabilisation before proceeding with surgery.
On August 18, a multidisciplinary team led by Dr. Manjunath Maruti Pol, Additional Professor in the Department of Surgical Disciplines, performed a sleeve gastrectomy—a bariatric surgery that reduces stomach size to aid long-term weight loss.
The case was particularly challenging due to the 15 cm abdominal fat thickness, making laparoscopic procedures difficult. Anesthesia was handled by Dr. Sushmita, ICU care by Prof. Anjoli and Dr. Sulagna, and specialist support came from pulmonary medicine, cardiology, endocrinology, dietetics, and internal medicine.
Now on the Road to Recovery
The woman is currently undergoing rehabilitation and preparing for discharge. Before reaching AIIMS, she had been evaluated at Safdarjung and RML Hospitals, where she was diagnosed with severe obstructive sleep apnea and type-2 respiratory failure.
Doctors emphasised that super-super obesity is extremely rare and demands coordinated care from multiple specialties. The successful surgery highlights AIIMS’ advanced capabilities in handling such high-risk, complex medical cases.
