Doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, have successfully performed a weight-loss surgery on a 44-year-old woman from Sangam Vihar who was suffering from a rare and extreme condition known as super-super obesity. The condition is characterised by a Body Mass Index (BMI) above 60; in this case, her BMI was an alarming 80.4.

The patient, a homemaker weighing 146.5 kg at a height of just 135 cm, had been steadily gaining weight for over a decade. Despite repeated efforts with diet and exercise, she was unable to shed kilos in the past three years. As her health worsened, she developed breathing difficulties, sleep disruptions, and became dependent on CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) support. Eventually, her mobility declined to the point that she was confined to bed.

She was admitted to AIIMS in July after her condition deteriorated with kidney problems, respiratory distress, and reduced urine output. A team of specialists stabilised her in the ICU before preparing her for surgery. Tests revealed several complications, including pulmonary artery hypertension, right-sided heart failure, and chronic liver disease with fluid accumulation.

After a month of medical management, doctors went ahead with a sleeve gastrectomy on August 18 — a bariatric procedure that reduces stomach size and aids sustainable weight loss. The surgery was particularly complex due to her thick abdominal wall, measuring 15 cm, which made laparoscopic access extremely challenging.

The operation was spearheaded by Dr. Manjunath Maruti Pol, Additional Professor, Department of Surgical Disciplines, with anaesthesia care led by Dr. Sushmita and ICU support managed by Prof. Anjoli and Dr. Sulagna. Experts from cardiology, pulmonology, endocrinology, dietetics, and internal medicine also contributed to her care.

The patient, who had earlier been assessed at Safdarjung and RML Hospitals for severe sleep apnea and respiratory failure, is now on the road to recovery and preparing for discharge after rehabilitation.

Doctors emphasised that super-super obesity, defined as a BMI over 60, is extremely rare and often comes with life-threatening complications, requiring a coordinated multi-specialty approach for successful treatment.