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With an aim to shape the future of obesity treatment through surgical innovation, Sir HN Reliance Hospital and Foundation, in collaboration with The International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO), hosted a two-day Delphi consensus conference, bringing together world-renowned experts to define and refine the best practices in managing and treating obesity. The Delphi method is a structured communication technique used to gather expert opinions and reach a consensus on a specific topic or problem. It involves multiple rounds of questioning and feedback, where a panel of experts provides their responses anonymously.
Dr Tarang Gianchandani, group CEO of Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, said, “Obesity is a rapidly growing concern that is adding to the disease burden of the world, especially in India. As per estimates in the Economic Survey Report 2023-24, the adult obesity rate in India has more than tripled, and the annual rise in childhood obesity is the steepest in the world for India. We are dedicated to combating this epidemic with state-of-the-art medical infrastructure and operational excellence. Our advanced facilities and multidisciplinary approach ensure the best possible outcomes. Hosting this IFSO Consensus Conference reinforces our commitment to global collaboration, optimizing sleeve gastrectomy outcomes, and improving long-term patient health worldwide."
The event focused on addressing optimal outcomes after sleeve gastrectomy (SG), one of the most commonly performed metabolic surgeries. While SG is effective for weight loss and metabolic improvements, some patients experience weight regain, metabolic syndrome recurrence, or acid reflux (GERD). With no clear guidelines currently available, this conference aimed to bridge that gap by identifying the best approach with the best minds across the world.
Dr Muffazal Lakdawala, director of general and minimal access surgery, HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, also a part of the scientific organizing committee, said, “While sleeve gastrectomy continues to be one of the most effective procedures, it is essential to recognize and address complications that can affect long-term success. Obesity remains a significant challenge in India, and it is crucial that we adapt our approaches to manage not just the surgery, but the entire continuum of care. This conference provides a platform for global collaboration to define best practices, ensuring that physicians worldwide can offer the most effective care to their patients.”
Leading surgeons, endocrinologists, and obesity specialists from across 20 countries all over the world shared their invaluable insights during the conference. Some of the prominent speakers at the event were Dr. Samer Mattar, Dr. Jaime Ponce, Dr. Raul Rosenthal, Dr. Moritz Felsenreich, Dr. Gerhard Prager, Dr. Ralph Peterli, Dr. Khaled Gawdat, Dr. Ashraf Haddad, and Dr. Wendy Brown, to name a few.
Dr. Asim Shabbir from Singapore offered his expert perspective on treatment options for managing GERD. Dr. Ali Aminian, from the USA, shed light on the cardiovascular and liver outcomes after SG, offering a deeper understanding of the procedure's long-term effects.
A key takeaway from the conference was the importance of a stepwise approach in patient management, and standardising pre-operative, Intra-operative and post-operative treatment to achieve optimal outcomes after sleeve gastrectomy.
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