“People would laugh at me and talk about my size” – weight loss surgery recipient

…as GPHC conducts 1st laparoscopic bariatric surgery

As the Government of Guyana continues to aim toward building a modern, world-class healthcare system, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) continues to advance medical care by conducting its first-ever laparoscopic bariatric surgery.

On Tuesday, during a press briefing, it was announced that the record-setting surgery was conducted six weeks ago by Dr. Hemraj Ramcharran, an advanced laparoscopic surgeon, and his team, on 32-year-old Teekah Singh, a mechanic from Industry, East Coast Demerara (ECD).
The patient had been struggling with obesity since childhood, which caused several other health complications. He had initially visited the hospital for another condition when he was placed on a strict diet. After there were little to no results from the diet, he was told of the possibility of weight loss surgery, and he agreed.
Singh, who started the journey with 402 lbs, now weighs 362 lbs, having lost a total of 40lbs within six weeks. The expected outcome for the patient is that he would weigh only half of his pre-surgery weight in six months, and only one-third of his pre-surgery weight in one year.

Laparoscopic bariatric surgery is a form of weight-loss surgery offered to persons who are obese and cannot lose weight by non-surgical means. Obese persons are those persons with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher.
This form of surgery is performed using a small camera or laparoscope. There is no long cut (no long incision) that is made to enter the stomach.
Laparoscopic bariatric surgery is a minimally invasive surgical technique that involves removing or limiting a section of the stomach and rearranging it.
Persons who have had laparoscopic bariatric surgery eat a lower amount of food, which helps weight loss. The surgery restricts the ability to eat large amounts of food.
In addition, Dr Ramcharran told the media that the surgery has paved the way for the opening of a surgical clinic at the GPHC very soon.
“This is not the end, this is going to lead to many other things. We are now going to make this a routine, as we are starting a surgical weight loss clinic at GPHC so that persons in Guyana wouldn’t have to travel overseas to get this surgery”, he said.
When asked about the cost of the surgery, Dr Ramcharran said it is very expensive in other countries, but, for now, GPHC is offering it for free.
Meanwhile, in an interview with Guyana Times, Singh said the journey has been both challenging and rewarding, but he is grateful for the experience. He said that for years he was bullied verbally for being obese, and now he is more confident with the way he looks.
“People would laugh at me and talk about my size, but it had nothing to do with me eating and all that. This surgery is very good, and I have no side effects or complications. I no longer have to be walking on the road for people to call me names”, the man said.

So far, Singh is currently only drinking liquid, and will be eased onto solid foods soon. He said even with the small intake, he hardly feels hungry, and is awaiting further results. He is encouraging persons who are obese and are interested in losing weight to take the leap, because, according to him, it would be worth it.
Meanwhile, the hospital has noted that Singh’s continued loss is dependent on him following medical advice and adhering to certain behavioural changes.
While this is the first laparoscopic bariatric surgery done in Guyana, open bariatric surgery has been done previously. This same team was responsible late last year for another “first”. Late in 2021, the same surgical team completed the first-ever laparoscopic adrenalectomy surgery.
Three patients benefited. One was a patient with a condition called pheochromocytoma, leading to uncontrolled blood pressure. The second patient was one with gallbladder cancer, needing special surgery known as cholecystectomy and hepatectomy. The third patient had a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).
Following announcement of the successful surgery, Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony extend congratulations to the entire team and promised that, while every effort is being made to ensure high-quality basic service is provided to every citizen, he is also mindful that certain high-level, tertiary healthcare interventions become available for the citizens of Guyana.
Only recently, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, announced that Guyana’s health sector would see a $73B injection for 2022.
This is a part of the Government’s drive to build a modern, world-class healthcare system in Guyana.
The intention, according to the Minister, is not only to ensure the country’s health system meets the needs of Guyanese, but also to transform health into an export service through medical tourism. (G9)