Columbia Asia Referral Hospital, Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore to Help an 11-Year-old Girl From Oman Shed 60 Kgs

BANGALORE, November 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Souq, an 11-year-old from Oman wanted to lead a normal life but she could barely move. The resident of Oman was made to try everything from diet control to exercise and a strict vigil on junk food, but it failed. As a three-month-old baby, Souq Khalid from Oman weighed eight kgs. As she started growing, her appetite and weight both went uncontrollable. By the time she turned 11, she weighed a humongous 108 kgs with a body mass index of 49. While obesity runs in the family, Souq's weight created a record of sorts - clothes, shoes, school... everything became a problem. Gradually, she also encountered problems in breathing and walking. It was then, her mother, a nurse, was advised by the embassy to take her to Bangalore for treatment.

She was admitted to Columbia Asia Referral Hospital, Yeshwanthpur where a team of paediatricians, endocrinologists, bariatric surgeons and nutritionists, led by Dr. H V Shivaram, chief of bariatric and metabolic surgery, attended on Souq and conducted a laparoscopic bariatric surgery on her. Less than a month after the treatment, she has lost 10 kgs and with the follow-up diet and exercise regime, the doctors are expecting a reduction of 60 kgs in the next six months.

Souq's mother Sheikha Sultan had tried everything from diet control to exercise and a strict vigil on junk food, but it failed. As soon as she left for work, her daughter would ransack the kitchen and gobble up whatever was available. "She would go out and eat fatty stuff and I couldn't control this. She had an urge to eat all the time and her weight was growing. She started piling on 16 kgs a year and crossed the 100 mark. Things were going completely awry and she couldn't cope at school. It was very difficult to get clothes and footwear for her as not many shops stock XXX large and size 42 shoes," Sheikha, the mother narrates the ordeal.

Soon Souq started to hate going to school and turned into an introvert and a shy child. According to Sheikha, the family has obesity running in its genes as she herself had weighed 100 kgs at some point. "In fact, both of us started a weight reduction regime; but while I reduced, Souq gained. She hates to go to school, and turned into an introvert," said Sheikha.

Time was ticking and the mother was worried about the next development of Souq attaining puberty. A friend in the Oman embassy then suggested bariatric treatment in Bangalore. On October 5, mother and daughter came down and consulted Columbia Asia Referral Hospital. After initial investigations, the doctors decided to go in for laparoscopic bariatric surgery.

According to Dr. Shivaram, Souq suffered from Prader Willi syndrome, where for no reason, the child starts overeating. There is no other treatment for this disorder except reducing her hunger and shrinking the capacity of the stomach.

"We conducted bariatric surgery on her stomach and reduced its size and treated her for a hunger-producing hormone. Consequently, her hunger has come down and she is losing weight. She has already lost 10 kgs and will lose more weight in the coming months. Along with diet and exercise, she has been advised to take food rich in protein and nutrition," explained Dr. Shivaram.

The mother and the daughter have left for their home quite happy and satisfied. "Since she has already lost 10 kgs, there is some hope for Souq. As a follow-up, diet, exercise and physiotherapy is recommended and my daughter is also quite positive about her health now," says Sheikha.

About Columbia Asia Hospitals Pvt. Ltd.

Columbia Asia Hospitals Pvt. Ltd. is one of the first healthcare companies to enter the country through 100% foreign direct investment (FDI) route. www.columbiaasia.com

About Columbia Asia Group of Companies:

The Columbia Asia Group is owned by more than 150 private equity companies, fund management organizations and individual investors. The group currently operates seven multi-specialty community hospitals, one referral hospital and one clinic in India. The company also operates hospitals in Malaysia (10), Vietnam (3), and Indonesia (1). The Indian management operations are managed from its office in Bangalore.

Primary Media Contact: Kanchana Prasad, [email protected], 91-9739608780