Docs debunk Enam sister’s claims
Fraternity says good outcome overshadowed by ulterior motive
The weight-loss story of the heaviest woman in the world, who weighed 500 kilos, Enam Ahmed, has taken an ugly turn with her sister Saimma alleging that bariatric surgeon Dr Muffazal Lakdawala is a “liar” and that Enam has not crossed the 200 kg mark as is being claimed.
Enam was admitted to Saifee Hospital in Mumbai on February 11 and underwent weight loss surgery on March 7. On April 14, Saimma released a video, which is going viral, where she speaks in Arabic with English subtitles, and alleges that the claim of 200 kg weight loss is not correct. She says, her sister is unwell and gets epileptic attacks. She has asked for before-surgery and after-surgery videos to prove that the doctors have misled them.
This has upset the medical fraternity who believe that the good outcome of the case is being overshadowed by ulterior motives.
Dr Muffazal Lakdawala says his patient, “has lost weight only because of the liquid diet that she is being given. But this was my worst nightmare as the family is now raising questions. As far as her neurological condition is concerned, the team is looking into it and she will be properly evaluated before being sent home.”
Bariatric surgeons in the city state that weight loss regime is a slow and gradual procedure and expecting fast or quick results after the surgery is asking for too much.
Dr Rajnesh C. Reddy, senior bariatric surgeon at Apollo Hospitals says, “Weight loss surgery is a procedure wherein the intake of calories is restricted. Obesity is due to medical reasons like thyroid dysfunction or hormonal changes due to which the person keeps putting on weight. Another reason is overeating. When it is a medical reason, the weight loss after the surgery has to be slow and gradual as drastic weight loss can affect the kidneys, electrolyte balance in the body, and neurological conditions can arise. Hence, the ideal weight loss planned after surgery is three to four kilos per month depending on the weight the person has to lose. But the actual change in the body, appearance wise, is visible only after a year.”
In the case of Enam, who lost 200 kgs in 3 months her sister says she has not. However, doctors state that it is quite an achievement for a woman who weighed 500 kg.
Dr Venugopal Pareek, a senior bariatric surgeon explains that after surgery the body loses water first and then weight. “During this time, diet, nutrition and exercise is monitored for six months to a year. In the case of Enam, presently diet and nutrition has changed. With 200 kg lost, physiotherapy will begin later. But a lot of has to be done by relatives.”