Politician Nitin Gadkari isn't the only one resorting to bariatric surgery to deal with crippling type-2 Diabetes and assorted obesity-related complications. As Dr Muffazal A Lakdawala, renowned obesity surgeon, who operated upon the BJP president tells us, Mumbai is waking up to the benefits of this life-saving procedure

Dr Muffazal A Lakdawala is a busy man. Upon his return to Centre for Obesity and Diabetes Surgery (CODS), his Hughes Road clinic, post a seven-hour surgery on a muggy Thursday evening, the renowned bariatric surgeon is juggling phone calls, follow ups with patients and a malfunctioning air conditioner. Finally, coffee cup in hand, he settles down for a chat with us, apologising for the 30-minute delay with, 'It's been absolutely crazy'. That's understandable, given that he just performed a widely-reported bariatric surgery on a high-profile patient, BJP President Nitin Gadkari, last week. Ten minutes into our conversation, he's interrupted by a phone call by one of Gadkari's aides, we presume, who calls to check about the 55 year-old politician's follow-up appointment. Just on cue, we think, considering the doctor was just telling us about the acute importance of post-operative care. Soon, we also learn why India needs to start worrying about obesity, and how the basics -- good food and exercise -- can prevent the nation's almost-inexorable march towards an epidemic that we aren't taking seriously enough.