Woman Dies After Weight Loss Surgery in Meerut

A 55-year-old woman from Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, tragically passed away following a weight loss surgery, raising fresh concerns about the safety and transparency of bariatric procedures in private healthcare settings.

What Happened?

Rajni Gupta, who weighed around 123 kilograms, was admitted to a private hospital in Meerut for a bariatric surgery, a type of weight loss surgery intended to help reduce body weight in individuals with obesity.

Shockingly, she was reportedly told that she would lose 30 kilograms within just 24 hours, a claim that is not only medically unsound but also misleading. Following the surgery, Rajni developed an abdominal leak, a known complication where the contents of the stomach or intestines leak into the abdominal cavity. This led to a severe infection (sepsis), which ultimately claimed her life.

Her family has since filed a formal complaint at the Medical Police Station, alleging negligence on the part of the hospital.

Understanding Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery includes procedures like gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy, designed to help people with severe obesity lose weight by altering the digestive system. It is often recommended when other weight loss methods such as diet, exercise, or medication have failed, especially if the excess weight is contributing to serious health problems like diabetes, high blood pressure, or sleep apnea.

However, this is not a quick or effortless solution. Weight loss after surgery is gradual and depends on strict medical follow-up, lifestyle changes, and proper nutrition.

How Can Bariatric Surgery Go Wrong?

While bariatric surgery has helped many people improve their health, it comes with inherent surgical risks, including:

Leaks from the surgical site
Infections in the abdomen or bloodstream
Internal bleeding
Nutritional deficiencies
Blood clots

Among these, a leak from the stomach or intestine, as seen in Rajni’s case, is considered one of the most dangerous. If not detected and treated quickly, it can lead to sepsis, a life-threatening, body-wide infection.

Unrealistic Promises Are a Red Flag

Medical experts strongly caution patients to be wary of any hospital or doctor promising rapid or extreme weight loss in an unreasonably short time. Losing 30 kilograms in 24 hours is neither safe nor scientifically possible.
Such false claims can push patients to make risky decisions, often without fully understanding the potential complications involved.

Conclusion

Rajni Gupta’s death is a heartbreaking reminder that even medically approved procedures can turn deadly if not handled with proper care, expertise, and transparency. Weight loss surgeries are powerful tools, but only when performed responsibly, with the patient’s safety and long-term well-being as the top priority.

Source: Inputs from various media Sources

I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.