Life-Saving Solution Or Risky Quick Fix? Meerut Woman's Death Reignites Bariatric Surgery Debate

Last Updated:July 22, 2025, 10:25 IST

Rajni Gupta, 56, underwent the procedure on July 11 but passed away on July 15 due to complications from the surgery that pushed her body into septic shock

Experts say Rajni Gupta’s symptoms suggest she likely suffered from a condition known as a post-surgical leak—a rare but dangerous complication. (News18)

Is bariatric surgery truly a life-saving solution—or can it also turn fatal? Once considered the last resort to lose weight, Bariatric surgery is fast becoming the go-to option for India’s growing obese population. However, the recent death of a Meerut woman post-surgery has exposed the dangers of inadequate infrastructure, lax regulation, and poor post-operative care.

News18 spoke to grieving family members, consulted leading medical experts, and examined the systemic shortcomings that can make such surgeries potentially life-threatening—particularly when performed in inadequately equipped facilities. According to experts, Bariatric surgery can be transformative, even life-saving, but it is not a shortcut.

A Life Lost After Hope for Healing

Rajni Gupta, 56, had long struggled with obesity. At 136 kg, her weight had severely limited her daily life—even routine tasks like walking or climbing stairs had become painful. Determined to regain control of her health, Rajni opted for Bariatric surgery. The family believed it would give her a new lease on life. Instead, it ended her life.

She was admitted on July 11 to a hospital in Meerut. The procedure was performed by Dr Rishi Singhal, a Bariatric surgeon with over 200 surgeries to his name. At first, everything seemed routine. But by the third day, Rajni’s condition sharply deteriorated. She showed signs of severe infection. On July 15, she passed away.

Her daughter, Shivani, alleges grave medical negligence. “My mother was fine before the surgery. The complications came only because they were careless," she said. “The internal stitches were not sealed properly, causing leakage, infection, and finally, septic shock."

Following her death, a tense standoff unfolded at the hospital. The family accused Singhal of negligence and even murder. Singhal, however, denied the allegations, asserting that the surgery was conducted correctly. “I have performed over 200 bariatric surgeries, including one on Shivani herself. The charges are baseless. An investigation will bring out the truth," he told News18.

What May Have Gone Wrong

Experts say Rajni’s symptoms suggest she likely suffered from a condition known as a post-surgical leak—a rare but dangerous complication where digestive fluids escape from the stomach into the abdominal cavity, causing infection and inflammation. If not detected and managed early through imaging, surgical revision, and antibiotics, such leaks can escalate into septic shock, which is often fatal. In this case, family members claim no emergency response was initiated even after red-flag symptoms emerged—pointing to lapses in monitoring and aftercare.

“Such outcomes are preventable," noted a senior gastrointestinal surgeon from Lucknow, who asked not to be named. “But only if the facility has the infrastructure, protocol, and expertise to handle complications," he added.

A Larger Wake-Up Call

While Rajni’s death is a personal tragedy, it also reflects a larger systemic issue: Is India prepared to handle the growing demand for Bariatric procedures? And more importantly — are patients being fully informed about the risks?

Experts say the answer is complicated. “Bariatric surgery is not cosmetic. It is a life-saving procedure for morbidly obese individuals at risk of diabetes, heart disease, or joint failure," said Dr Abhijit Chandra, Head of Gastrointestinal Surgery at King George’s Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow. “But like any major surgery, it comes with risks — and patient selection, surgical expertise, and post-operative care are absolutely critical."

Chandra further warned about the “mushrooming" of unregulated clinics offering such procedures. “Unfortunately, we are seeing a surge in centers advertising quick fixes for weight loss. That’s dangerous. These surgeries should only be performed in accredited centers with proper emergency backup and multidisciplinary teams."

India’s Silent Obesity Crisis

India is in the midst of a silent but alarming obesity crisis. According to the National Family Health Survey‑5 (NFHS‑5, 2019–21), nearly one in every four Indian adults is overweight or obese. In Uttar Pradesh, the numbers are equally concerning: 21.3 per cent women and 18.5 per cent of men aged 15–49 fall into the overweight or obese category.

A 2023 study published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology painted a grimmer picture. It found that nearly 35 crore adults in India have abdominal obesity, while 25 crore suffer from generalised obesity. The World Obesity Federation has also identified India as one of the countries with the fastest-growing rates of childhood obesity.

The growing epidemic is no longer confined to urban elites. Sedentary lifestyles, poor diets, and rising stress are fuelling obesity in both rural and urban areas, making effective interventions more urgent than ever.

Understanding The Procedure — and the Risks

Bariatric surgery, also known as metabolic surgery, is a medical intervention recommended for patients with a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 40, or over 35 when accompanied by obesity-related complications such as diabetes, hypertension, or obstructive sleep apnea. It is designed to not only reduce weight but also to alleviate life-threatening comorbidities.

There are several types of Bariatric procedures commonly performed in India, including sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, and adjustable gastric banding. In a sleeve gastrectomy, a significant portion of the stomach is surgically removed, reducing its size and restricting food intake. A gastric bypass involves rerouting the digestive system to bypass a portion of the stomach and small intestine, thereby limiting calorie absorption. The adjustable gastric band technique, though less common now, uses a silicone band placed around the upper part of the stomach to create a small pouch, reducing the amount of food the stomach can hold.

The surgeries are typically performed laparoscopically—that is, through small incisions using minimally invasive tools—which lowers the risk of complications and shortens recovery time. The procedure itself usually takes two to four hours. Patients are kept under observation for a few days, with hospital stays ranging from three to five days. Complete recovery may take up to six weeks.

After the Surgery: The Do’s and Don’ts

However, the real challenge begins after discharge. Post-operative care is critical. Patients must commit to a lifelong dietary and lifestyle regimen. A high-protein, low-fat, low-sugar diet becomes mandatory, and they must avoid alcohol and fried foods to prevent weight regain or metabolic complications. Regular exercise, consistent follow-up with doctors, and routine blood work are essential to monitor nutritional levels and organ function.

Despite being considered relatively safe in experienced hands, Bariatric surgery carries a 2-5 per cent risk of complications. These include infections, internal leakage, bleeding, hernias, gallstones, and nutritional deficiencies. In rare cases, such complications can prove fatal, as in the case of Rajni Gupta.

How Safe Are Bariatric Services in UP?

In Uttar Pradesh, government hospitals like KGMU and SGPGI in Lucknow, GSVM Medical College in Kanpur, and IMS-BHU in Varanasi offer Bariatric surgery at affordable rates. Private hospitals such as Fortis Noida, Apollo Medics, and others in Ghaziabad and Meerut also perform these surgeries, though costs can range from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 6 lakh. But disparities in quality, infrastructure, and post-op care persist. Many patients, unwilling to wait for months in government hospitals, turn to private clinics — some of which may lack the necessary emergency support or medical expertise.

Not a Shortcut, but a Lifelong Commitment

Bariatric surgery can be transformative, even life-saving. But it is not a shortcut. As Rajni Gupta’s case shows, it is a serious medical decision that requires full awareness, expert care, and rigorous follow-up.

“Patients must be fully informed about the risks and responsibilities," said Dr Chandra. “And authorities must ensure that hospitals maintain the highest standards of safety and ethics."

For Rajni’s family, these realisations have come too late. But as the investigation unfolds, her case might just spark a broader reckoning in how India regulates and conducts weight-loss surgeries so that the pursuit of health never again ends in tragedy.

Location :

Meerut, India, India

First Published:

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