Madhya Pradesh police inspector Daulatram Jogawat who was fat-shamed by columnist Shobaa De last week underwent a successful bariatric surgery in Mumbai’s Saifee Hospital on Thursday. Dr Muffazal Lakhdawala and his team had evaluated his condition soon after De had tweeted his photograph saying “heavy bandobast in Mumbai”. “The surgery is over and he is doing well,” a member of Dr Lakhdawala’s told Hindustan Times.
Jogawat is diabetic and weighs 180 kg. Doctors are hoping that the 58-year-old policeman will now lose at least 80 kg over the next 12 months. “Mainly, the uncontrolled diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnoea and lymphoedema will disappear,” Dr Lakhdawala said, adding that Jogawat underwent laparoscopic banded gastric bypass that reduced the size of the stomach through surgical stapling, The Times of India reported. “The procedure essentially reduces the intake of food and makes patients feel satiated faster.”
After Jogawat’s trouble with weight management became a subject of social media mockery, his colleagues and seniors vouched for his efficiency and highlighted his achievements, especially in investigations in narcotics cases. “Jogawat has won over 200 awards in his career of 37 years and got promoted five times,” said Manoj Kumar Singh, the superintendent of police of Jogawat’s home district of Neemuch, Madhya Pradesh.
After De tweeted his image on February 21, Jogawat had said, “It hurts when I see my photo on social media or when people tell me about it. India is a democratic country and people have the freedom to express their views, but it should not hurt or shame someone.” He had also asked whether she would pay for his treatment.
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