Obesity is a big problem that we have to fight against in India. We do not take overweight as a disease as long as it doesn't create many critical health problems like blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, joint pains etc. India is in the third position after China and US in the number of obese people. It is increasing annually in an about 29%. A community of organisations dealing with the obesity called World Obesity Federation has recently published a report that is very alarming for India. The data shows 5% of Indian total population will be affected by obesity in 2025. Urban population is badly affected by this disease. In India, this obesity problem starts from the childhood. Consuming too much of junk food is the key to child obesity. Our food habits are the main reason for the obesity but some cultural factors add to it as well. We take carbohydrate-rich foods, oily foods and extra spicy foods. In India common mentality plays a big role in gaining overweight. We commonly think being fat means being prosperous. In our country fat is the symbol of richness. People from well to do family should be overweight. In Punjab, until recently, people used to drink melted butter to gain weight as a status symbol. Here we judge a thin person as a poor one. The thinking of people from West is totally opposite. The rich people try to keep themselves fit and healthy. Another mental problem India's having is doing physical work is something meant for the poor. Even the middle-class families tend to have maidservants to do the household works. The family members sit and relax. This mindset of avoiding physical labour works add to the obesity in a large number.

In India, bariatric surgery is not that popular till date but the trend is changing fast. Availability of best bariatric surgeon in India is another positive sign in this field. This bariatric surgery is performed to the patients who are obese. There are some other conditions to perform this surgery. The age of the patient should be in between 18 to 60. The body mass index (BMI) should be 40+. In India, we have some very good hospitals with adequate modern facilities to perform bariatric surgery successfully and at a cheap cost compared to the West. Two types of surgical procedures are adopted to reduce the body weight - restrictive surgery and malabsorptive surgery. The common types of weight loss surgeries possible in India are Biliopancreatic Diversion, Vertical Banded Gastroplasty, Sleeve Gastrectomy, Laparoscopic Gastric Banding etc.

Postoperative care is very important as the patient becomes emotional and stressed. With the constant help of healthcare professionals, patients should get back to normal life. Friends and family members have to support the patient in this period as well. After a successful recovery, the patient should lead a very happy normal life. In India, the cost of the bariatric surgery is very low but the quality of the surgeons and facilities in the hospitals are world-class, and the success rate is more than the world average. Many international patients fly to India for this operation.