I still feel good when I remember those words: “You not only saved my life but have given me a new birth. I and my family will always be there for you in your hour of crisis.”

It was the first time in nine years of my life as a cosmetic surgeon that someone had thanked me so profusely. She had reason to be so overwhelmed. For the first time in a decade she was able to see and touch both her thigh and knee.

This is a story about a very pretty, but morbidly obese woman, who started gaining weight after her last pregnancy 18 years ago. She is now 42 years old and weighs 146 kg. During the period she followed many weight reduction regimens and diet control programmes, but the weight kept increasing and brought along many diseases like diabetes, hypertension, backache, pain in the knees and ankles. She couldn’t even sit on the chair or walk. Gradually, she became depressed, morbid and was restricted to bed because of her huge abdomen.

Finally, she approached us for surgery. I, along with consultant cosmetic and plastic surgeon Dr. S. S. Saha, decided to conduct a combined procedure, including liposuction of the abdomen above the umbilicus and excision of all the hanging abdominal wall skin below the umbilicus.

The surgery was performed two weeks ago and she was discharged two days later. She had tears in her eyes when she saw her knees and thighs together, which she could not touch due to the flab. Her life has changed completely. She goes for regular walks and can sit comfortably on a chair. When I see her doing the normal activities like sitting on a chair or walking, it feels great.

The other health-related problems which had aggravated due to obesity are also beginning to recede. The insulin requirement for diabetes is reduced to half and she is off the anti-hypertension medicines.

She has regularly been in touch and keeps updating me about the changes in her activities, like the first time she sat on a chair. She has been in touch ever since and keeps us updated about the changes in her daily routine. Every time she calls, it gives us immense pleasure to know how her life changed in two days.

In my experience as a cosmetic surgeon, this was the first time I understood how a doctor can change somebody’s life in few hours. We have changed many faces—made them look pretty—but this was like giving somebody a new life.

I am going to operate on her daughter in the next few days for the same problem, and the confidence I see in all the family members is immense.