The Scenario: One partner (often the wife) is desperate for a solution after years of diet struggles and wants to try GLP-1 medications (like Semaglutide). The other partner (often the husband) is skeptical, worried about “unknown side effects,” or believes in “doing it the natural way.”

As a specialist at Mirascare Clinics, I see this dynamic constantly. The tension isn’t just about weight—it’s about safety, money, and fear.

So, who is right? The answer isn’t simple. Here is the scientific reality behind the 10 biggest arguments I hear in my clinic, so you can make a decision together.

The Science: Separating Fear from Fact

1. The “Family Support” Factor

He says: “You’re on your own with this.”

Science says: That’s a recipe for failure. Data shows a 60% dropout rate when patients don’t have family support. Conversely, outcomes are 2.5x better when the household is aligned. If you’re going to do this, you need to be a team.

2. The “Cancer Scares”

He says: “I heard it causes tumors.”

Science says: This comes from rodent studies. FDA trials with 17,000+ participants showed thyroid C-cell tumors in rodents, but this has NOT been proven in humans. In fact, these drugs have shown a 20% reduction in cardiovascular events (heart attacks/strokes) in high-risk groups.

3. The “Long-Term” Unknowns

He says: “We don’t know what happens in 20 years.”

Science says: He is partially right. We have about 5-7 years of solid human data. The 20-year effects are currently unknown. This is a valid risk that must be weighed against the immediate risks of obesity (diabetes, hypertension, joint failure).

4. The “Rebound” Reality

He says: “You’ll just gain it back.”

Science says: This is statistically likely if you stop without a plan. 2/3 of the weight returns within 12 months of stopping the medication. GLP-1s manage metabolism; they do not “cure” it. Think of it like blood pressure medication—it works while you take it.

5. The Financial Impact

He says: “It’s too expensive.”

Science says: It is a major investment. At ₹20-30K per month, you are looking at ₹24-36 Lakhs over 10 years. Insurance in India rarely covers this for weight loss alone. This needs to be treated as a long-term household budget item, not a one-time expense.

6. The “Quality of Life” Trade-off

He says: “You’ll be sick all the time.”

Science says: 40-50% of users experience nausea, vomiting, or constipation, especially in the beginning. This is because the drug delays gastric emptying. However, only 5-10% of patients quit due to these issues.

7. The “Indian Social” Dilemma

She says: “I want to look good for the wedding season.”

Science says: Physical health improves, but social satisfaction can decrease. Indian culture, especially here in Gurgaon, is food-centered. If you can’t eat at weddings or family dinners because you feel full or nauseous, it can feel isolating.

8. Eligibility Check

The Rule: These meds are NOT for losing a cosmetic 5kg before a vacation. They are strictly for:

• BMI ≥30 (Obesity)
• BMI ≥27 (Overweight) WITH comorbidities like diabetes or hypertension.

9. Pregnancy Warning

Crucial for young couples: You must stop these medications 2 months BEFORE trying to conceive. The effects on a developing fetus are unknown and potentially dangerous. It is also not safe while breastfeeding.

10. The “Willpower” Argument

He says: “You’ll become dependent on it mentally.”

Science says: These drugs do alter the brain’s reward pathways. There is a risk of losing confidence in your own ability to self-regulate naturally. Psychological support is vital.

The Mirascare Verdict

This isn’t about being “Pro-Drug” or “Anti-Drug.” It is about being Pro-Informed Decision.

If you are fighting about this, stop scrolling social media and come into the clinic. At Mirascare Clinic, we don’t just write a prescription and send you away. We perform a full risk-benefit analysis, check your eligibility, and ensure both partners understand the commitment involved.

Don’t let a medical decision become a marital conflict.

Now it’s Your Turn

Are you discussing this in your household? What is the biggest hurdle you are facing?

Don’t worry and Visit Us:

Mirascare Multispecialty Clinic

Shop No. 10, M2K Corporate Park Shopping Plaza, Pearl Ln, Block N, Mayfield Garden, Sector 51, Gurugram, Haryana 122018

Expert care for Weight Loss, Bariatrics, and General Surgery.

Disclaimer: Educational content ONLY. This is not medical advice. GLP-1 medications require strict physician supervision. Do NOT start/stop medications based on internet posts.

The human body is made up of trillions of cells. The body needs these cells to work together for it to function well. When the cells are not functioning well, disease occurs.

The first question you’ll ask yourself is: Okay, I know I need to lose weight, but why do I need to have weight loss surgery? And the answer is that it’s a surgical procedure for people who struggle with obesity and who can’t lose weight through other methods. If you’re someone who has tried and failed on and off again with diets for decades, then this might be the only way that you can lose the weight.

Bariatric surgery or weight loss surgery that helps people who are obese or severely overweight by either reducing the size of their stomach, making it smaller, or by creating a small pouch at the top of their stomach which can be used to hold food, so they can eat less without feeling hungry. This type of surgery also reduces how much food the intestines absorb so that calories are not absorbed as much.

Why Weight Loss Surgery?

Obesity is a chronic condition that can result from many causes. If you’re obese, you may have been diagnosed with a serious medical condition such as diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnea.

Benefits

• Improved cardiovascular health, 
• long-term remission of type 2 diabetes, 
• relief from depression, 
• eradication of obstructive sleep apnea, 
• alleviation of joint pain, 
• improvement of fertility, 
• alleviation of metabolic syndrome, 
• alleviation of pregnancy problems, and 
• alleviation of gallbladder disease

Weight loss surgery is the most effective treatment for obesity. In general, weight loss surgery can help you lose about 50% of your excess weight in the first year alone.

Weight loss surgeries are surgeries that involve altering the anatomy of a patient to make them either lose weight or maintain their weight loss. This is achieved by restricting food intake, changing the digestive system, or a combination of both.

In this section, we will look at how these types of weight loss surgery work and the different types available.

Weight loss surgery can give you a new lease on life. It is one of the most effective ways of losing weight quickly.

There are four popular types of weight loss surgery:

•          Adjustable gastric banding

•          Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

•          Biliopancreatic diversion with a duodenal switch

•          Vertical sleeve gastrectomy

Laparoscopic gastric banding:

A band is placed around the upper part of the stomach, creating a small pouch that limits how much food you can eat. You can still eat as much as you want, but it takes longer to feel full.

It is the most common weight loss surgery for those who are less than 100 pounds overweight. It is done by inserting a small tube through the patient’s abdomen. A band is then tightened around the upper stomach to create a small pouch that limits food intake.

The procedure has been shown to help people lose up to 50% of their excess weight within six months

The biggest risk of this type of surgery is that it can cause esophagus tears or ulcers. Patients are also at risk for having uncontrolled diabetes

Gastric bypass or Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass:

Food moves through your digestive system more quickly, so you feel fuller sooner. The surgeon creates a small pouch at the top of your stomach so food empties more quickly into your small intestine, bypassing most of your stomach and its acid contents.

Sleeve gastroplasties

Sleeve or vertical gastrectomies are weight-loss procedures frequently carried out laparoscopically. Approximately 75% of the stomach is removed during the treatment, leaving a tube-shaped stomach roughly the size and shape of a banana. Following surgery, the stomach can hold less food, resulting in quick and efficient weight loss. Patients recover faster with sleeve gastrectomy because no foreign body is inserted (unlike the adjustable gastric band) and there is no complicated intestinal reorganisation (unlike the gastric bypass).

Bariatric surgery is usually done by laparoscopic procedures under specialist weight loss surgeon or bariatric surgeon. A few days after the operation, patients can resume their normal diet.

Some people choose to have bariatric surgery due to many different reasons. For example, they want to get healthier, feel better about their appearance, or get back into life activities that were abandoned years ago due to their weight. There are many different reasons why people choose this type of surgery.

Some people say that they are tired of not being able to walk upstairs without gasping for air or taking a deep breath while some say they are simply tired of being fat while others say they want to be able to go on long walks or play with children without feeling out of breath or uncomfortable.

Regardless of the reason why an individual chooses bariatric surgery, it is important that they research all

If so, this is the right page. One of the greatest laparoscopic surgeons, Dr. Mir Asif, has been a laureate in the medical field, achieving a medical degree from the reputed North-West University in St. Petersburg. He pursued his Master’s degree from the National Board of Examination in New Delhi.

Dr. Mir Asif Rahman

Dr. Mir Asif is a trained Laparoscopic surgeon from the pioneer institute, Indian Association of Gastrointestinal Endo-Surgeons, and certified in general surgery as well as Laparoscopic surgery. With a huge experience in the surgical field over the last fifteen years, Dr. Mir Asif specializes in certain advanced conditions, and Piles or hemorrhoid is one of these. He is considered to be one of the best renowned laparoscopic surgeons from Gurgaon and also holds expertise in advanced laser surgeries.

Presently, Dr. Mir Asif has set up his professional chamber ‘Mirascare‘ in Gurgaon, and through this initiative, he aims at fulfilling his life’s mission to provide reliable, affordable, and specialized health care facilities to the general public and especially to those patients asking questions like What is Bariatric Surgery?’ and whether is it safe or can it save the person’s life?.

At Mirascare, one can undergo various types of treatments. Some of the special surgeries that Mirascare caters to are Anal Fissure Surgery, Bariatric or Weight-loss or Bariatric Surgery, Anal Fissure Treatment (Non-Surgical), Fistula Surgery & Treatment, Gynecomastia Treatment & Surgery, Laser piles, Laparoscopic Appendicectomy, Laparoscopic Hernia Repair, Piles Treatment (Non-Surgical), Thyroid Gland Surgery and many more.

Here in this article, we would focus on the most common questions of people these days, ‘what is bariatric surgery?’

To know what is bariatric surgery it is essential to know that this concept of bariatric surgery helps you in losing your excess weight through certain changes that are made in your digestive system. This can be either making your stomach smaller or making you eat or drink less at once and even makes you feel full quite sooner.

Some bariatric surgeries may also bring about a change in your small intestine since the small intestine is responsible for absorbing calories as well as nutrients from your foods or beverages.

To answer your question what is bariatric surgery? in the simplest term is a method that you can follow in case you are suffering from extreme obesity and keeping on gaining back the weight that you lost with great difficulty.

This surgery is also an option in case anyone is suffering from health issues such as type-2 diabetes or anything related to obesity and helps in reducing the risk of life-threatening health problems.

Those who keep asking ‘what is Bariatric surgery?’ should know that it improves several medical conditions associated with obesity, particularly type-2diabetes, Gastroesophageal reflux disease, heart disease, extreme sleep apnea, stroke, etc.

It is important to remember that this surgery is not meant for everyone who is overweight. One has to meet specific medical terms and guidelines for this weight-loss surgery. It involves an extensive screening procedure before qualifying for the surgery. One has to participate in constant follow-up plans which include regular monitoring of your nutritional habits, lifestyle, and overall medical conditions. Next time when you ask this question to yourself what is bariatric surgery?

Please remember to visit Dr. Mir Asif Rehman’s clinic to know more about safety procedures for weight loss surgery.

The maximum forms of bariatric surgeries that are performed all over the world at present make use of minimally invasive techniques and different forms of laparoscopic technologies. The doctor uses two of the most and effective bariatric surgery techniques that are available keeping in mind the sound health of the patient are given below:

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

It is one of the most commonly used bariatric procedures used all over the world to achieve weight loss. The laparoscopic procedure is divided into two segments. The first part involves the shrinking of the size of the stomach pouch.  This limits the food intake, and then a Y-shaped section of the small intestine is attached to the pouch which creates a bypass for food. This makes the food skip the part of the digestive system and results in lesser absorption of nutrients and calories.

Sleeve Gastrectomy

This is another procedure that is performed laparoscopically. It involves 75% of the stomach and replacing it with a tube-shaped stomach about the size of a banana. As there is no artificial implant in this process as the stomach is adjusted with the help of a gastric band, the lack of complex re-arrangement makes it easier for the patient to recover faster.

People asking about ‘What is bariatric surgery?’ would now have a good understanding of the procedures involved in bariatric surgery, as well as its advantages and disadvantages. Dr. Mir Asif Rehman who is the surgeon in ‘Mirascare’ understands these problems and complexities very well. In his 15 years of laparoscopic surgery experience, the doctor has gone through numerous such cases and therefore gives the best advice on bariatric surgeries.

The types of surgeries performed by Dr. Mir Asif Rehman have shown that they have caused long-term significant weight loss, improvement in cardiovascular risk factors, and recovery from diabetes.

Although the initial stages of the surgeries require huge precautionary measures that are to be strictly followed by the patients. These measures are very important as there can be numerous side effects of bariatric surgeries if strict measures prescribed by the doctor are not followed.

Weight loss surgery has to be followed by a very healthy lifestyle which includes nutrient-rich diets and regular exercise. The doctor performs strict tests and medical history evaluation before the surgery on the patients.

If not followed, the doctor refuses to entertain such patients as the doctor always maintains ethical dignity in his practice.  

We hope ‘Mirascare’ has been able to answer the question about ‘what is bariatric surgery?

Obesity is not only a social stigma but also the root cause of many ailments and health disorders.

The Internet is full of solutions from quick weight loss diet plans (like keto) to proven clinical weight loss treatments. But not all these options are suitable for everyone and they may not be healthy to try on your own. Eating healthy food and exercising is the right start. Although at times it may not give you desired results. Other non-surgical techniques for weight loss, although attractive are not always completely effective or permanent.

Most common ways to lose weight is dieting and exercising. But what should one do if that doesn’t work? Well, the answer is weight loss surgery. However, weight loss surgery isn’t an alternative to diet and exercise—it is an addition to diet and exercise. With advancements in the medical field, there is nothing to be scared of. Bariatric surgery and liposuction are the top two surgical options.

 “What is the difference between bariatric surgery and liposuction” is one of the most commonly asked questions to a Bariatric Surgeon. Bariatric surgery and liposuction may seem similar, but they are actually very different. One of the most common misconceptions that people have is that bariatric surgery and liposuction are the same.

Here is a look at how bariatric surgery and liposuction compete.

Bariatric surgery or weight-loss surgery helps people lose weight and lowers risk of medical problems associated with obesity such as Type 2 Diabetes, high blood pressure, and coronary artery disease. Liposuction is a cosmetic procedure intended to shape and contour the human body by removing excess fat but does not address the issues causing the weight gain.

Bariatric surgery is intended to treat patients who suffer from obesity. Liposuction is more commonly recommended for individuals who are not struggling with obesity, but rather have areas of stubborn fat that just won’t melt away with diet and exercise.

While one may initially lose weight or inches with liposuction it is not a permanent weight loss solution. On the other hand, bariatric surgery helps obese patients achieve and maintain healthy weights by restricting food intake. Both are effective and safe surgeries if done for the right reason.

Bariatric surgery or weight-loss surgery helps people with BMI ≥ 32.5 in losing weight by limiting the amount of food the stomach can hold, causing malabsorption of nutrients or by a combination of both gastric restriction and malabsorption. The two most common laparoscopic weight loss surgeries are Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass and Sleeve Gastrectomy. Both can be performed by minimally invasive procedures.

Weight-loss surgery or bariatric surgery causes significant long-term loss of weight, recovery from diabetes and improvement in cardiovascular risk factors.

If you suffer from obesity and have been unsuccessful in losing weight through diet and exercise alone and are wondering if bariatric surgery is for you, contact Dr. Mir Asif Rehman (General & Laparoscopic surgeon).