By Dr. Mehul Vikani, MS, FIAGES, FMAS — Bariatric & Metabolic Surgeon, Rajkot
You have probably heard it many times: ‘Just eat less and move more.’ It sounds simple. And yet, for millions of people living with obesity, it simply does not work — not in the long run.
If you have tried countless diets, followed strict exercise routines, and still found yourself gaining the weight back, this article is for you. The truth is, the failure is not yours. The science explains exactly why.
Obesity Is a Disease, Not a Lifestyle Choice
The World Health Organization and medical bodies worldwide officially classify obesity as a chronic disease. This is important. Like diabetes or hypertension, obesity has biological causes, genetic components, and hormonal drivers that go far beyond food choices.
Your body has a ‘set point’ — a weight it is programmed to return to. When you lose weight through dieting, your body actively fights back. It lowers your metabolic rate, increases hunger hormones like ghrelin, and reduces the hormones that signal fullness. The result? You feel hungrier, your body burns fewer calories, and the weight comes back — often with extra.
Why Most Diets Fail Long-Term
Studies consistently show that over 80% of people who lose weight through dieting alone regain most of it within 3 to 5 years. This is not about lack of motivation. It is about biology working against you.
The hormonal changes that happen during and after weight loss can persist for years — meaning your body keeps signalling hunger even after you have reached your goal weight. Diets can help you lose weight. They rarely help you keep it off permanently.
What Makes Bariatric Surgery Different
Bariatric surgery does not just reduce how much food your stomach can hold. More importantly, it changes the hormonal signals in your gut. After procedures like sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass, the hunger hormone ghrelin drops significantly — sometimes permanently. Fullness signals improve. Your body’s set point resets to a lower, healthier weight.
This is why bariatric surgery produces results that diet and exercise alone cannot. It works with your biology rather than against it.
Who Should Consider a Medical Approach?
- You have been overweight or obese for more than 5 years
- You have tried multiple structured diet and exercise programmes without sustained success
- You are developing or already have health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or sleep apnoea
- Your quality of life — mobility, energy, mental health — is significantly affected by your weight
If even two or three of these apply to you, it is time to have an honest conversation with a bariatric specialist — not to commit to surgery, but to understand all your options.
Non-Surgical Options Are Also Available
At our centre in Rajkot, we believe the right solution is a personalised one. Many patients begin with structured dietician support or medical management. Others start with an intragastric balloon — a non-surgical, temporary device that reduces hunger and helps kickstart weight loss.
Surgery is one powerful tool. It is not the only one. Your journey begins with a consultation where we understand you before recommending anything.
Ready to take the first step?
Call or WhatsApp Dr. Mehul Vikani’s team today: +91 98750 98484 | www.drmehulvikani.com
CIGIS Hospital, Rajkot — Dedicated Weight Loss Centre
Dr. Mehul Vikani — MS, FIAGES, FMAS, FALS, FMBS | Awarded Best Young Bariatric Surgeon in India, OSSI 2022 | Trained at AZ Sint Jan Hospital, Belgium & Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan