siliconindia | | AUGUST 202519mobility, 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 transformation 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.Navigating ChallengesA 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, h e 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 CareDr 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 pulmonolo-gists, he emphasizes the impor-tance of a robust ecosystem that surrounds patient care. Cutting corners, whether in learning or in proce-dure, is a strict no in his book. "It can en-danger patient safety and undermine the quality of care", he says. For him, long-term health out-comes stem from a holistic, patient-first approach rooted in doing what's genu-inely best for each in-dividual. TOP 10PROMINENTBARIATRIC CONSULTANTS 2025Bariatric surgery is not a one-time solution, it marks the beginning of a lifelong journey toward better health
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