‘World’s heaviest woman’ recovering after surgery
Ahmed ‘shedding weight gradually with treatment’
MUMBAI // Indian doctors said yesterday that an Egyptian who was believed to be the world’s heaviest woman had successfully undergone weight-loss surgery after losing more than 100 kilograms.
Eman Ahmed, who previously weighed about 500kg, had not left her house in Egypt in more than two decades until arriving in Mumbai last month for bariatric surgery.
“We are happy to inform all well-wishers that the medical team of Saifee Hospital has successfully performed the surgery on Eman Ahmed,” the Mumbai hospital said.
“Eman successfully underwent a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy on March 7, 2017 at Saifee Hospital. She had an uneventful surgery and anaesthesia course.
“She is now on oral fluids and accepting them well. The future course of action for the medical team working on her will be to correct all her associated medical problems, to get her fit enough to fly back to Egypt as soon as possible.” A spokeswoman for Dr Muffazal Lakdawala, who is leading Ms Ahmed’s treatment, said the 37-year-old Egyptian’s weight had been brought below 400kg since she arrived in Mumbai early last month. “Eman has lost more than 100kg and has been shedding weight gradually on a daily basis with all the treatment and support,” she said.
The Egyptian, who is from Alexandria, was flown to India’s commercial capital in a specially modified Airbus on February 11 for treatment. Ms Ahmed’s sister had approached Dr Lakdawala, a specialist weight-loss surgeon, in October, saying her sibling needed urgent medical attention.
Her family told the doctor that as a child she was diagnosed with elephantiasis, a condition that causes the limbs and other body parts to swell, leaving her almost immobile. Ms Ahmed has suffered a stroke and faced other serious ailments owing to her weight including diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep deprivation.
Her request for an Indian visa was initially denied, but she was granted passage after her doctor tweeted a plea for help directly to India’s foreign minister, who intervened. She had a long wait as no airlines were willing to fly her because of potential health complications.
Bariatric surgery is a stomach- shrinking bypass procedure carried out on those wanting to lose excessive weight.
It is increasingly common in India, which has a growing problem with obesity, particularly in urban areas.
India is a major destination for medical tourists seeking good services and no waiting lists at a fraction of the cost of western countries.