FAQs

It is a technique of doing abdominal operations using very small incisions with the help of telescope and specially designed equipment.

The common terms include:

• Keyhole Surgery
• Scarless Surgery
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Minimal Access Surgery

The advantages are:

• Smaller incision
• Less postoperative pain
• Less blood loss
• Early return of normal activity / quicker return to work
• Shorter hospital stay
• Better cosmetic outcome
• Less chances of wound complication

Laparoscopic surgery gives excellent vision (magnification-20 times), which is better than open surgery. Hence surgery becomes more precise with less blood loss. When performed by trained Surgeons, laparoscopic surgery is very Safe.

This depends on type of laparoscopic surgery performed. In most (>95%) cases, patients can take oral liquids after 4 hours of surgery and gradually advanced to soft/normal diet.

No. Because surgery is performed by small cuts (5mm to 10mm), patients require minimal medicines for pain after surgery.

This depends on type of laparoscopic surgery performed. In most cases, patients go home in 24-48 hours of surgery, which is less than half the number of days in patients with open surgery for similar indications. Recovery after laparoscopic surgery is very fast and most patients are able to join their routine work within few days.

No. If we calculate the total cost of hospitalization and loss of work, laparoscopic surgery cost less than open surgery.

Surgeries that can be performed by laparoscopy include:
Appendectomy, Inguinal Hernia surgery, Ventral Hernia surgery, Cholecystectomy, Surgery for common bile duct stones, Surgery for hiatus hernia/Acid reflux disease, Liver surgery, Pancreatic surgery, Esophagus and stomach surgery, Intestinal surgery, Gastrointestinal Cancer Surgery, Hysterectomy, Biliary Surgery, Ovarian and Uterine Surgery, Ovarian Cystectomy, Kidney stone & Cancer surgery, Congenital disease correction Surgery, Bladder & Prostate Surgery

Gastrointestinal cancers include cancers arising from digestive system:
• Esophagus (Food pipe)
• Stomach
• Colorectal (Most Common)
• Liver
• Pancreas
• Gall bladder

When combined together as a group, gastrointestinal (GI) cancer is one of the most common cancers occurring in body. Also, GI cancers are one of the most common causes of cancer-related death. As per Globocan data of 2012, out of estimated 1.01 million new cases of cancer in the year 2012 in India, 227,000 were located in GI tract. Similarly, out of about 682,000 cancer-related deaths, approximately 182,000 deaths were because of GI cancers. Hence, it is very important to spread awareness in general public about gastrointestinal cancers.

Signs & symptoms of GI cancer are very subtle and nonspecific. So, most patients either neglect them or end up getting treated as simple problems like gas or acidity by general practitioners.

Generally, GI cancers are detected very late in course of disease when curative treatment becomes not possible.

Following are the Warning Signs:
Anorexia (loss of appetite), unintended significant weight loss (>5kg in 3 months or >10kg in 6 months), low grade fever, anaemia with no obvious cause, jaundice, difficulty in swallowing, black vomiting or blood in vomit, passage of black colour stools, passage of blood or mucus in stool, alternate diarrhoea & constipation, abdominal pain, abdominal distention or swelling, back pain.
Whenever patients have such problems, they should consult an expert Doctor – Gastrointestinal Cancer surgeon.

The presence of above signs & symptoms does not necessarily mean that patient has CANCER only. Let your expert doctor examine you and decide.

Whenever patient has above mentioned symptoms, then they should consult an expert Doctor – Gastrointestinal Cancer surgeon.

After your doctor examines you, he may run a few tests if required to check whether the patient has cancer or not.

Following are different set of tests which may be required.

Blood tests, Ultrasonography, Computed Tomography (CT) scan, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan, Endoscopy/Colonoscopy with biopsy.

With available advanced knowledge & technical skill in GI cancer surgery, Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy, almost all GI cancer are curable.

Unfortunately, in our country, due to lack of awareness most cancers (50-80%) are detected late in course of disease when complete cure is difficult.

The key is “Early detection and Treatment”. The most important thing is to create awareness about warning signs of GI cancer among general population. So, whenever patient have suspicion of above mentioned problems, they can consult expert Doctor and cancer can be detected early and treated effectively.

Well, not always.

However, there are few risk factors associated with GI cancer – Smoking, Tobacco, Alcohol, consumption of red meat, family history of cancer, obesity, diet lacking fruits & vegetables (antioxidants), chronic bacterial or viral infections and chronic illness.

By adopting healthy diet & lifestyle, spreading awareness and avoiding addictions, many GI cancers can be prevented.

Following are different treatment modalities for GI Cancer:
1. Surgery / Operation
2. Chemotherapy
3. Radiotherapy

GI cancer surgery plays very important role in treatment. It is the only curative treatment modality available.

GI cancer surgery is very different from any other cancer surgery like breast cancer, oral cancers, kidney cancer, etc. because in GI Cancer surgery, once cancer is removed, reconstruction of gastrointestinal tract is very important for normal life functions.

However, when surgery is done by specialized GI cancer surgeon, the results are excellent and safe.

Nowadays, most GI cancer surgery is performed with Laparoscopy (Keyhole surgery), where there are no big cuts. So, patients have very minimal pain and recovery is quick. Patients can start walking 4-6 hours after surgery and most patients are allowed oral diet on same day or next day. Most patients are discharged around 4-5 days after surgery depending upon type of surgery performed.

A combination of comprehensive treatment plan and bariatric surgery is an effective tool to help long-term weight-loss, enhancing the quality of health and life. Bariatric surgery is intended to improve or resolve a host of obesity related problems such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and so on.

Surgeries like gastric bypass, gastric sleeve work by altering the anatomy of gastrointestinal tract (stomach and digestive system) or by causing different physiological changes in the body that help energy balance and fat metabolism.

You qualify for weight loss surgery if:

• BMI is 37.5 kg/m2 with no major disease
• BMI is 32.5 kg/m2 or above with diabetes or other major co-morbidity
• Other methods of weight loss have failed
• Committed to lifelong dietary and lifestyle changes (Increased Physical Activities)
• Understand the surgical procedures, their benefits and problems
• Willing for regular follow-up

Different types of bariatric surgeries include Intragastric Balloon, Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy, Laparoscopic Mini-Gastric Bypass and Laparoscopic RY Gastric Bypass. The choice of procedure should be decided after thorough discussion with the surgeon.

Most patients resume work in one or two weeks, after the surgery.

Immediately! You can begin with gentle, short walks even while in the hospital. The key is to start slow, in accordance with the body stamina and the advice of the surgeon.

In a broader perspective, Yes. However, make sure that you disclose to your surgeon and anesthesiologist all about your previous surgeries (especially of abdomen and pelvis).

It may create an impact. Strictly follow the advice of your surgeon for managing your diabetes by the time of the surgery.

The answer is, yes. However, you may obtain medical clearance from your cardiologist. People who are taking blood thinner medicines of any type will be given special instructions to follow before and after the surgery.

The ideal recommendation to have pregnancy would be after 12-18 months of the surgery.

It is common to have sagging skin or some loose skin after the surgery. However, it is mostly a temporary outcome and one can expect more positive changes between 6 and 18 months after the surgery.

Hair loss between 3 to 6 months after a bariatric surgery is a common effect.

Multivitamins are recommended for a life time. You may need to take higher doses of certain vitamins; iron, calcium and vitamin D.

No.

No.

Yes. People desiring to undergo bariatric surgery are advised with special pre-operative diet. Generally, this would be a short crash course dieting exercise just before 2 to 3 weeks of the surgery.

The answer can be both Yes and No. By saying so, it is not providing a blanket permit to eat anything, whenever you want. Healthier food choices are necessary for best outcomes.

Mostly, everyone can find some fruitful activity which can be counted as moderate exercise. People with partial paralysis or suffering from arthritis of joint can also do some exercises. Therapies suited to your condition can be designed.

As the weight loss happens, one may be able to reduce or eliminate the need for many of the medications like medicines to control high blood pressure, heart disease, arthritis, cholesterol, and diabetes.

Some insurance companies ask for such type of letter from either your surgeon or primary care provider before final approval for surgery.