He has the unique distinction of being an expert Bariatric surgeon who is highly skilled in endoscopic thyroidectomy, thoracoscopy, laparoscopic colorectal and hernia surgery as well.

About Dr. R. Padmakumar’s Major Achievements

• First to start diabetes mellitus surgery in the state for the non-obese category(Fifth in the World)
• First in the world to do bariatric surgery with abdominoplasty
• First surgeon in entire GCC Countries to do diabetic surgery in non-obese patients
• One of the few surgeons in the world doing scarless Thyroid Surgery(Endoscopic Thyroidectomy)
• World record on successful bowel surgery at 2gm Hb without blood transfusion
• Inventor – Innovative technique MISII (Minimally Invasive Surgery for Ileal Interposition) HYBRID technique
• World record – Branchial Cyst Endoscopic removal in the youngest age (Omani Child of 3 years)
• Recipient of “Excellence in Laparoscopy” Award from Icons of Healthcare, Singapore in July 2017

Best Bariatric Surgeon in India – Dr R Padmakumar

Best Bariatric Surgeon in India- Dr. R. Padmakumar is Sr. Consultant Laparoscopic and Obesity Surgeon, Chairman and Managing Director of Keyhole Clinic (multispeciality), Head of Department of Minimally Invasive Surgery at VPS Lakeshore Hospital. Dr. Padmakumar is hailed as a leading Bariatric Surgeon in India & UAE. He is renowned for new and improved treatment techniques and the […]

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Excellence Healthcare Award 2019 – WMC

Dr. R. Padmakumar receives World Medical Council Excellence Healthcare Award 2019 in recognition for his Professional Excellence and Outstanding Contribution to medical field especially Metabolic Surgery for Obesity (Bariatric Surgery) and Diabetes Resolution.

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Thyroid Surgeon India

Thyroid Surgeon India – Dr. R Padmakumar is an expert Thyroid Surgeon and one of the Best Thyroid Surgeons in India, who is highly skilled in performing Endoscopic Thyroidectomy, Robotic Thyroidectomy and open thyroidectomy. Dr. R. Padmakumar was invited by the Government Hospital in Dubai for endoscopic thyroid surgeries. Generally, these invitations as International visiting doctors […]

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SELSICON 2019 – Dr Padmakumar Re-elected Vice President of SELSI

The 12th Annual National Conference of the Society of Endoscopic & Laparoscopic Surgeons of India (SELSICON 2019) was held from 11th to 15th September 2019 at New Delhi, India. The theme of SELSICON 2019 was “Emerging Trends and Newer Horizons in Minimal Access Surgery”. Dr. R. Padmakumar was re-elected as National Vice President of SELSI. […]

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Bariatric Surgeon Kerala

Bariatric Surgeon Kerala – Dr. R. Padmakumar is Sr. Consultant Laparoscopic and Bariatric Surgeon, Chairman and Managing Director of Keyhole Clinic – Center for Obesity and Laparoscopy, at Edappally, Kochi, and the Head of Department, Minimally Invasive Surgery at VPS Lakeshore Hospital, Kochi. He has been changing lives through Keyhole Surgery. Dr. Padmakumar is also […]

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The Wizard Laparoscopic Surgeon – Article in Indian Express

Dr. R. Padmakumar’s achievements and honors pile up by the day. For a man who has done over 15000 laparoscopic surgeries till date, he is forever on the move and most of his halts are in the operation theaters around the world. In many countries Padmakumar has made his presence inevitable for his astute skill […]

Read More

100 most powerful Indians in the Gulf – Business.com

A specialist in obesity and diabetes, Dr. R. Padmakumar is presently exerting his considerable intelligence in a bid to help alleviate lifestyle diseases in the Gulf. Dr. Padmakumar is the first surgeon to win approval from the UAE’s Ministry of Health to conduct keyhole excess fat removal surgery. Given the prevalence of diabetes in the […]

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Excellence in Laparoscopy Award 2017 – Dr R Padmakumar

Singapore July 24, 2017: Dr. R. Padmakumar, Senior Consultant Laparoscopic Surgeon, Kochi was recently presented the Award for Excellence in Laparoscopy at the 2nd Icons of Healthcare Summit & Awards in Singapore on July 21, 2017. Dr. R. Padamakumar has undergone training from prestigious institutions – All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, Apollo Speciality Hospital, […]

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Fellowship of Royal College of Surgeons

Dr. R. Padmakumar was awarded Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons for his substantial contribution to the speciality. He received the award from RCPS (Glasgow) president Dr. Frank Dunn at a convocation in Glasgow UK on 25th November 2015. Dr. Padmakumar’s articles and innovative techniques published in International Journals, the lectures and workshops at […]

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Weight Loss Surgeries Performed in India

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy is a surgical procedure that is performed for weight loss. In LSG, a part of the stomach is removed to restrict the amount of food intake and the stomach is left to a size of about 15% of the original size.

Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery in India is very common and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy cost in India is very affordable compared to other parts of the world.

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Gastric Bypass – Roux-en-Y

Gastric Bypass is a surgical weight loss procedure for treatment of morbid obesity. In this procedure the stomach is divided into a small upper pouch and a large lower pouch. The small intestine is then reattached to the pouch that creates a bypass for food, which results in absorption of less calories and nutrients. Gastric Bypass Surgery in India is performed at VPS Lakeshore Hospital by Dr. R. Padmakumar and team.

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Mini Gastric Bypass

Laparoscopic Gastroplasty

Laparoscopic Gastroplasty is another Weight Loss procedure. In Laparoscopic Gastroplasty the results are sustained even after many years. No chance of bleeding as there is no cutting involved. No leak as the stomach is not resected. Less expensive. Less duration of anesthesia. Early return to normal life. The procedure is reversible if patient desires.

Intragastric Balloon Placement

A Non-surgical Procedure for Weight Loss. This procedure involves using an endoscope to place a deflated balloon in the stomach. The balloon is then inflated to decrease the amount of intragastric space. The balloon is then left in the stomach for a period upto 6 months. Due to the restricted amount of food intake there is an average weight loss of 10-15 kg. This is highly effective in overweight people not classified as obese.

Read More

Abdominoplasty / Tummy Tuck

Abdominoplasty does not come under the category of Bariatric Surgery. Tummy Tuck is a surgical procedure which is performed to remove excess fat and skin from the abdomen and to tighten the abdominal wall muscle and fascia. It is also called Tummy Tuck

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Best Bariatric Surgeon in India – Professional Excellence Awards

World Medical Council Award

Dr. R. Padmakumar receives World Medical Council Excellence Healthcare Award 2019 in recognition for his Professional Excellence and Outstanding Contribution to medical field especially Metabolic Surgery for Obesity (Bariatric Surgery) and Diabetes Resolution.

• Professional Excellence in Obesity (Bariatric Surgery) & Diabetes Surgery. Read More

100 most power Indians in the Gulf – Business.com (2012)

A specialist in obesity and diabetes, Dr. R. Padmakumar is presently exerting his considerable intelligence in a bid to help alleviate lifestyle diseases in the Gulf. Padmakumar is the first surgeon to win approval from the UAE’s Ministry of Health to conduct keyhole excess fat removal surgery.

Given the prevalence of diabetes in the Gulf – with some estimates claiming that the disease accounts for some 40 percent of the UAE’s healthcare budget alone – Padmakumar’s technique could make the difference for hundreds of patients in the region. He received his training in laparoscopy and cancer surgery from prestigious institutions including the All India Institute of Medical Sciences and Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai and Apollo Cancer Hospital, Chennai.

Business.com

Video Testimonials

Best Hospital for Bariatric Surgery in India

COEBMS (Centre of Excellence in Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery)

VPS Lakeshore Hospital under the leadership of Dr. R. Padmakumar was recognized as the Center of Excellence for Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery by the Obesity & Metabolic Surgery Society of India (OSSI) at the 21st National Conference of OSSI (OSSICON 2024 Kochi). Dr. R. Padmakumar and team (Dr. Madhukar Pai, Dr. Resen Rajan, Ms. Premna Subin, Ms. Nimmy) receiving the certificate of Center of Excellence from Dr. Shrihari Dhorepatil, Dr. Praveen Raj, Dr. K S Kular, Dr Gurvinder Singh Jammu, Dr. Vivek Bindal, Dr Raj Palaniappan.

VPS Lakeshore, also known as Lakeshore Hospital is a multi super-specialty Hospital in Kochi, Kerala. The Department of Bariatric Surgery is headed by Dr. R. Padmakumar and today is one of the Best Hospital for Bariatric Surgery in India. Dr. R. Padmakumar is listed among the top 10 Bariatric Surgeons in India and one of the Best Bariatric surgeons in Kerala.

India is considered to be one among the most preferred destinations for medical treatments as it is very affordable compared to other destinations. People from all over the globe, including US, UK, Kenya, Nigeria, United Arab Emirates, etc visit India and get their weight loss surgery performed in the Top Bariatric Hospitals in India.

Bariatric Surgery Cost in India

Compared to other parts of the world, the cost of Bariatric surgery in India is very affordable. The cost is really worth it, when we compare the benefits that the surgery offers. Again depending on the weight loss procedure performed, the cost of the surgery varies.

Bariatric Surgery Reviews

Read Review in Google

Read Review in Google

Bariatric Surgery Before and After

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• He has got the World record – Branchial Cyst Endoscopic removal in the youngest age (Omani Child of 3 years)
• Endoscopic Excision of Thyroglossal Cyst – First of its kind in Kerala

Dr. R. Padmakumar was invited by the Government Hospital in Dubai for endoscopic thyroid surgeries. Generally, these invitations as International visiting doctors to operate in Dubai Hospital is extended to reputed surgeons from US, UK, Germany, etc, but usually inviting doctors from India is very rare. Dr. Padmakumar was invited directly by Dubai Health Authority.

Dr. R. Padmakumar specializes in three approaches to performing thyroidectomy:

• Endoscopic Thyroidectomy (Scarless Thyroid Surgery)
• Robotic Thyroidectomy (Scarless Thyroid Surgery)
• Open Thyroidectomy

Endoscopic Thyroidectomy

Dr. R. Padmakumar is one of the few surgeons in the world doing Endoscopic Thyroidectomy. In Endoscopic Thyroidectomy the surgeon removes the thyroid through small skin incisions made at the axilla. An endoscope with a video camera at the tip is inserted via the axilla allowing the surgeon to get a magnified view of the internal structures. The main advantage of performing thyroidectomy endoscopically is that it avoids a large cut to the neck.

Dr. Padmakumar performing Endoscopic Thyroidectomy

Endoscopic Thyroidectomy can be used for both Total Thyroidectomy and Hemithyroidectomy.

• In Endoscopic Total Thyroidectomy the entire thyroid gland is removed endoscopically. Thyroidectomy is usually performed when there is suspicious thyroid nodules or in case of thyroid cancer or large goiter.
• In Hemithyroidectomy, half of the thyroid gland is removed.

Robotic Thyroidectomy

Robotic Thyroidectomy is also a scarless thyroidectomy procedure and focuses on the axillary approach with small incisions made near the axilla. Robotic Thyroidectomy differs from endoscopic thyroidectomy in that Robotic Thyroidectomy involves the use of a robot to assist in the thyroidectomy procedure.

Image showing Robotic Surgery performed by Dr. R. Padmakumar and Team. Robotic Surgery makes use of Robot in assisting the thyroidectomy procedure. Small incisions are made and the internal structures are visualized on a monitor as shown in the above image.

Open Thyroidectomy

For patients in whom endoscopic thyroidectomy or Robotic Thyroidectomy is not possible, Open Thyroidectomy will be performed. In open thyroidectomy, the thyroid surgery is performed in the traditional way by making an incision at the neck through which the thyroid is removed.

Endoscopic Neck Surgeries.

Endoscopic Parathyroid Surgery.
Parathyroid glands are four tiny glands that is located just behind the thyroid gland. They control the body’s calcium levels. Removal of parathyroid glands become necessary in case of parathyroid tumor or overactive parathyroid glands.

Endoscopic Neck dissection / Lymphadenectomy.
Lymphadenectomy is a surgical procedure to remove one or more lymph nodes.

Endoscopic Thyroglossal Cyst Excision.
Thyroglossal cyst is an irregular neck mass or a fluid filled pocket which lies in the front part of the neck, usually above the voice box.

Endoscopic Salivary Gland Excision.
Salivary glands are endocrine glands that produce saliva. There are three major salivary glands that are paired, parotid, submandibular, and sublingual.
Endoscopic Neck Lipoma Excision.
Lipomas are lumps under the skin that occurs because of overgrowth of fat cells. These are usually considered benign tumors. It becomes necessary to remove lipomas in case it causes pain or other complications or symptoms.

Endoscopic excision of Branchial Cyst.
Branchial cyst or branchial cleft cyst is a lump that develops on one or both sides of a child’s neck. It is a type of birth defect.

Endoscopic assisted excision of Ectopic Goiter.

Dr. R. Padmakumar as the best thyroid surgeon in Kerala is presently the Head of the Department of Minimally Invasive Surgery at VPS Lakeshore Hospital situated in Kochi and today it is the best hospital for thyroid surgery in India. He is the Chairman and Managing Director of Keyhole Clinic, best center for outpatient thyroid surgery consultations in Kerala.

Dr. Padmakumar at Dubai Hospital for Endoscopic Thyroid Surgery

Dr. Padmakumar visits Sultan Qaboos University in Oman as faculty for Endoscopic Thyroid Surgery

Thyroid Surgery Cost in Kerala

Thyroid Surgery cost in Kerala is less compared to other parts of India. The cost of Endoscopic Thyroidectomy is bit higher than the cost of open thyroidectomy, but patients normally chose to go ahead with Endoscopic Thyroidectomy as it offers the benefit of no scar on the neck, minimal hospital stay required than open thyroidectomy, and faster healing.

Thyroidectomy cost in India is also less compared to other parts of the world. Lot of patients suffering from Thyroid Cancer from outside India visit Kerala for having thyroidectomy done, especially endoscopic thyroidectomy, as they would like to get the procedure done under the expertise of top thyroid cancer surgeons. Dr. R. Padmakumar is one of the best surgeons for thyroid cancer.

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Dr. R. Padmakumar was re-elected as National Vice President of SELSI.

Operating Faculty for Endoscopic Thyroidectomy

Dr. Padmakumar was also the operating faculty for Endoscopic Thyroidectomy at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital at SELSICON 2019.

Panel Discussion CBD Stones

About SELSI

The mission of the SELSI is to provide a professional forum for the exchange of information and education regarding historic, current, and future methods of diagnosis and treatment in Minimal Access Surgery.

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He is the first in the world to perform Scarless Bariatric Surgery with abdominoplasty and the first to start Diabetes Mellitus surgery in the state for non-obese category (5th in the world).

Bariatric Surgery in Kerala

Bariatric Surgery or Bariatrics is the branch of medicine dealing with the study of obesity, the causes, prevention and treatment of obesity. The Greek word “Baro” means heavy or large. It is also called “Weight Loss Surgery”. It includes a variety of procedures, namely removing a portion of stomach (sleeve gastrectomy), removing the size of the stomach (gastric band), or re-routing the small intestine to a small stomach pouch (gastric bypass). Diet, exercise, anti-obesity drugs, behavioural therapy are first line treatments of obesity, but success is limited in people with severe obesity. Bariatric Surgery is considered in people struggling with severe obesity.

Bariatric Surgery in Kerala is performed regularly under the leadership of Dr. R. Padmakumar. Dr. R. Padmakumar and Team perform these procedures regularly with excellent outcomes and high patient satisfaction.

4 Types of Bariatric Surgery

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy is a surgical procedure for weight loss. Sleeve gastrectomy is also known as a vertical sleeve gastrectomy or gastric sleeve procedure. In this procedure, the outer margin of the stomach is removed to restrict the amount of intake of food leaving the size of the stomach to about 15% of the original size of the stomach.

Gastric Bypass – Roux-en-Y

Gastric Bypass is a surgical weight loss procedure for treatment of morbid obesity. In this procedure the stomach is divided into a small upper pouch and a large lower pouch. The small intestine is then reattached to the pouch that creates a bypass for food, which results in absorption of less calories and nutrients.

Mini Gastric Bypass

Laparoscopic Gastroplasty

Laparoscopic Gastroplasty is another Weight Loss procedure. In Laparoscopic Gastroplasty the results are sustained even after many years. No chance of bleeding as there is no cutting involved. No leak as the stomach is not resected. Less expensive. Less duration of anesthesia. Early return to normal life. The procedure is reversible if patient desires.

Intragastric Balloon Placement

Intragastric Balloon placement is a Non-surgical Procedure for Weight Loss. This procedure involves using an endoscope to place a deflated balloon in the stomach. The balloon is then inflated to decrease the amount of intragastric space. The balloon is then left in the stomach for a period upto 6 months. Due to the restricted amount of food intake there is an average weight loss of 10-15 kg. This is highly effective in overweight people not classified as obese.

Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch

Other Body Shaping Procedures

These procedures doesn’t come under the category of Bariatric Surgery.

Gynecomastia Treatment

For Gynecomastia, subcutaneous mastectomy or circumareolar mastectomy is performed for breast reduction. Liposuction is also performed for gynecomastia.

Gynecomastia

Abdominoplasty / Tummy Tuck

Abdominoplasty doesn’t come under Bariatric Surgery. Abdominoplasty is a surgical procedure which is performed to remove excess fat and skin from the abdomen and to tighten the abdominal wall muscle and fascia. It is also called Tummy Tuck

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Liposuction

Liposuction is a procedure that helps remove excess body fat from specific areas of the body.

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When is Weight Loss Surgery indicated?

Obesity increases the risk of many diseases and health conditions. These include: Type 2 diabetes (Diabetes Mellitus), Coronary heart disease, Hypertension (High blood pressure), Cancers (endometrial, breast, and colon), Dyslipidemia (for example, high cholesterol), Stroke, Liver and Gallbladder disease, Obstructive Sleep Apnea and respiratory problems, Osteoarthritis, Infertility, Asthma, Chronic Musculoskeletal Problem, Mental Disorders

More about Dr. R. Padmakumar (Bariatric Surgeon Kerala)

Dr. R. Padmakumar is one of the Best Bariatric Surgeons in Kerala and is hailed as the leading or Best Bariatric Surgeon in India & UAE. Dr. Padmakumar is a regularly invited faculty on Weight Loss Surgeries in various National and International Conferences. He was invited as specialist speaker to present topic on Sleeve Gastrectomy (for Obesity) and Colorectal cancer surgery at the IASGO 2013 (The 23nd World Congress) to be held at Bucharest, Romania. He was also the speaker on diabetes surgery in the National conference of Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Conference – BSMC 2013 held in Pune (January 2013)

Professional Excellence in Obesity & Diabetes Surgery 2018

Dr. R Padmakumar was awarded Indywood Medical Excellence Award for Professional Excellence in Obesity & Diabetes Surgery 2018.

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100 most powerful Indians in the Gulf

Selected in the list of “100 most powerful Indians in the Gulf” ,among 40 lakhs Indians, holding 28th position for the professional excellence and commitment in obesity and diabetes surgery in 2012.

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Before and After

Video Testimonials and Image Gallery

Best Center for Bariatric Surgery in Kerala

VPS Lakeshore Hospital, Kochi, under the leadership of Dr. R. Padmakumar was recognized as the Center of Excellence for Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery by the Obesity & Metabolic Surgery Society of India (OSSI) at the 21st National Conference of OSSI (OSSICON 2024 Kochi). Dr. R. Padmakumar and team (Dr. Madhukar Pai, Dr. Resen Rajan, Ms. Premna Subin, Ms. Nimmy) receiving the certificate of Center of Excellence from Dr. Shrihari Dhorepatil, Dr. Praveen Raj, Dr. K S Kular, Dr Gurvinder Singh Jammu, Dr. Vivek Bindal, Dr Raj Palaniappan.

Dr. R. Padmakumar is the Chairman and Managing Director of Keyhole Clinic – Center for Obesity and Laparoscopy, situated at Edappally in Kochi, Kerala. The Clinic is the Center for Obesity Treatment consultations in Kerala.

Dr. Padmakumar presently heads VPS Lakeshore Hospital Obesity Clinic that was launched with a multidisciplinary team and is the Best Hospital for Bariatric Surgery in India under the leadership of Dr. R. Padmakumar.

Bariatric Surgery Cost in Kerala

Compared to other parts of India as well as foreign countries, the cost of Bariatric surgery in Kerala is very affordable. The cost is really worth it, when we compare the benefits that the surgery offers.

Related Medical Publications by Dr. R. Padmakumar

Dr. R. Padmakumar, Bariatric Surgeon Kerala, has authored many related articles

• Efficacy of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy in Type 2 Diabetes even with BMI less than 35: A Retrospective Study.
• Effectiveness of Minimally Invasive Hybrid Surgery for Ileal Interposition (MIHSII) for the Resolution of Type 2 Diabetes.

Patient Reviews and Gallery

Weight Loss Video Testimonials

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Indywood Medical Excellence Awards honoured Renowned healthcare practitioners and organisations at Hyderabad

04.12.2018, Hyderabad, India: The prestigious Indywood Medical Excellence Awards 2018 concluded successfully at HITEX, Hyderabad on 4th December 2018. The award was organised to recognize and felicitate healthcare practitioners and organisations for their relentless services to the society. The esteemed Award Presenter for the event were Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim Al Qahtani from Saudi Arabia (was with Saudi Aramco) and Mr Ravindra Arora, President of Bharat Cine and TV Writer & TV Writer Association. He is also the Committee Member (Dada SahebPhalke Academy, Western India Film Producers Association)

Recognizing the contributions, outstanding services and accomplishments spanning through a career in healthcare, Indywood Medical Excellence Award was bestowed upon the talented minds in the industry. Dr. R Padmakumar was awarded for Professional Excellence in Obesity (Bariatric Surgery) & Diabetes Surgery.

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A specialist in obesity and diabetes, Dr. R. Padmakumar is presently exerting his considerable intelligence in a bid to help alleviate lifestyle diseases in the Gulf. Dr. Padmakumar is the first surgeon to win approval from the UAE’s Ministry of Health to conduct keyhole excess fat removal surgery.

Given the prevalence of diabetes in the Gulf – with some estimates claiming that the disease accounts for some 40 percent of the UAE’s healthcare budget alone – Dr. Padmakumar’s techniques could make the difference for hundreds of patients in the region. He received his training in laparoscopy and cancer surgery from prestigious institutions including the All India Institute of Medical Sciences and Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, TATA Memorial Hospital, Mumbai andApollo Cancer Hospital , Chennai.

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Dr. R. Padmakumar’s achievements and honors pile up by the day. For a man who has done over 15000 laparoscopic surgeries till date, he is forever on the move and most of his halts are in the operation theaters around the world. In many countries Padmakumar has made his presence inevitable for his astute skill involved in complicated surgical procedures. He is well known in the international medical groups as one among the few surgeons adept at performing endoscopic thyroidectomy, thoracoscopy and bariatric surgery.

After securing a medical seat in Allaphuzha Medical College in 1986, Padmakumar moved to Delhi to pursue his post graduation at AIIMS and Moochand Hospital. It was in 1993 when laparoscopy had just been introduced in India. So by the end of his post graduation, he was exposed to the procedures of laparoscopy. The excellent training provided propelled Padmakumar to pursue it seriously. After post graduation, in 1997, he worked with Dr. Balakrishnan at Mavellikara where he began his laparoscopic procedures.

“When I got exposed to laparoscopic surgery during my post graduation, I was foreseeing the possibilities and breakthrough this could create with the advent of science and technology. Though I kept doing surgery, I ensured that I keep upgrading myself with all the developments and focused entirely on sharpening my skills”, begins Dr Padmakumar who is an International Consulting Surgeon for Dubai Government Hospital for endoscopic thyroid and parathyroid surgery, a rare honor for an Indian Surgeon.

Surgeons learn many of the latest techniques by observation rather than formal classes. Surgeons record video of processes of certain surgeries and these are shared with their peers. Notes are exchanged for various surgeries and better procedures are always inculcated. Dr Padmakumar kept his eyes and ears open and with curiosity he got many insights on doing procedures with minimal invasion. Open procedures that were done in the abdomen were replaced with keyhole surgery. Keyhole surgeries need good skills and Padmakumar says as a surgeon, hooing skills was very important. In spite of having done three years of laparoscopic surgery and assisting world renowned surgeons, Padmakumar has spent too many hours on the trainer units (mock surgery unit without patients) before starting by himself.

“These surgeries require extreme precision because the surgeon needs to do it watching a screen, though it gives a twenty times magnified view of the surgery area. Along with it, I ensured that I attend all the conferences in the field from where I get many tips and an upper hand in surgeries,” elaborates Dr Padmakumar, who has conducted over 7000 laparoscopic hernia surgeries.

He underwent two specialized training in cancer surgeries at Apollo Hospital and at Tata Hospital, Mumbai. He was selected to work at Caritas Hospital for four years where his experience in laparoscopic surgery came in as an advantage. From there, he moved to Sunrise Hospital, Kochi, from where he delved into Obesity Surgeries and that is where the turning point in his career happened and he acknowledge the encouragement from Dr Hafeez Rahman.

Padmakumar noted that the Obesity Surgery was effective in controlling Diabetes and he was one among the first five in the world to do Diabetic resolution surgery. Dr Aureo de Paula from Brazil devised a technique called Ileal Interposition. It was a difficult operation to mimic. After watching the surgery in Hyderabad, Padmakumar modified and simplified the technique. This method got him worldwide attention and he was invited to present papers at the International Conference of metabolic surgeons in Canada and Vienna to elaborate on this new Hybrid Technique which Padmakumar and his team had invented and was published in the reputed International Journal of Surgical Innovation.

Dr Padmakumar is a sought after surgeon to conduct these surgeries in various parts of India. In the Gulf, Diabetes and Obesity were taking away 40% of the health expenses and he was invited by renowned hospitals in the Gulf to conduct these procedures. He has helped citizens from many countries in resolving diabetes and obesity and lead a healthy life. In recognition of his work, Dr Padmakumar was selected in the list of “100 most powerful Indians in the Gulf,” holding 28th position for the professional excellence and commitment in obesity and diabetes surgery.

His surgery precision and professionalism came to be known across the world when he and his team operated on a 39-year-old patient who came with severe bowel bleeding. This patient was rejected by major hospitals because the patient’s religious belief didn’t allow him to have the blood transfusion. Dr Padmakumar took up the risk and operated on him. This surgery is recorded as one of the most referred case in medical history that took up a patient with a hemoglobin of 2 g/dl for anesthesia and major bowel surgery without transfusing blood or blood products prior to, during or after surgery and saving the life without complications. He also has the World record of performing Endoscopic Branchial cyst removal in the youngest age ever reported (3-year-old girl).

Dr Padmakumar also successfully conducted endoscopic thyroidectomy and one of the first ones to do so. These procedures do not have any marks of surgery on the neck and gives confidence to the patient. He also trained his peers and colleagues in many of these highly complicated surgeries. Dr Padmakumar’s articles and innovative techniques got published in International Journals, the lectures and workshops at various International conferences, his large patient group across 28 countries and surgical education programs were recognized by the Royal College of Surgeons. Glasgow which conferred him a Fellowship (FRCS) for his substantial contribution to the specialty.

Dubai Government run hospital has over 25 skilled surgeons. Yet, Dr Padmakumar’s expertise is sought by the country regularly to conduct endoscopic surgery for tumors in thyroid and parathyroid gland. He provides his expertise in VPS Lakeshore Hospital,  and Keyhole Clinic, Kochi.

“Teamwork has been crucial to my success as an expert endoscopic surgeon and I really give my credit to my team in my success so far. I am highly indebted especially to Dr Madhukara Pai, Dr Farish and Ms Premna who has helped me tremendously in my professional growth,” concludes Dr Padmakumar.

With more power comes more responsibility and through various societies and organizations, Padmakumar is spreading the knowledge to his juniors with an aim to bring comfort to patients. He had conducted various National and International Conferences in Surgical Laparoscopy. The training programs are coordinated by Verwandeln Institute, Kochi. All these endeavors were very actively supported by Prof. Dr. M. C. Misra the Director fo AIIMS, New Delhi. Dr Padmakumar has donned many caps such as National President of Indian Hernia Society, Vice President of Society of Endoscopic and Laparoscopic Surgeons of India, Founder Member – Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society of India and Founder Member – Association of Minimal Access Surgeons of India. Outside India, he is an International Faculty of IASGO on Hernia and Diabetic Surgery. IFSO on Diabetic Surgery and Associate Editor: Diabetes and Obesity International Journal.

For all his achievements awards and accolades have followed Padmakumar. The Global Achievers Award in UAE – 2014. Voice of Gulf Returnees Excellence Award – 2016 and icons of Helathcare Singapore Award for excellence in laparoscopy are some among them.

He is supported by his wife, Dr Deepthy, Ophthalmologist, daughter Divya pursuing a degree in Psychology and mother Mrs Padminiamma.

After the conversation, Dr Padmakumar left hurriedly for a surgery fixed for a patient suffering from Cancer. He reminded me that in case if he doesn’t pick up his call, it essentially means that he is in the operation theater.

By Aswin Nandakumar

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Singapore July 24, 2017: Dr. R. Padmakumar, Senior Consultant Laparoscopic Surgeon, Kochi was recently presented the Award for Excellence in Laparoscopy at the 2nd Icons of Healthcare Summit & Awards in Singapore on July 21, 2017.

Dr. R. Padamakumar has undergone training from prestigious institutions – All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, Apollo Speciality Hospital, Chennai, andTata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, after MBBS from Medical College, Alleppey. Has very good patient numbers treated from world over (at Dubai and India) so far from 28 countries.

He is one of the unique surgeon in the world who has performed Endoscopic Thyroid Surgery, Thoracoscopy, and Bariatric surgeries with equal ease and excellent outcome. He was also invited as international visiting specialist surgeon to perform Endoscopic Thyroid surgeries at the prestigious Dubai Hospital by the Dubai Health Authority, a rare honor for a surgeon.

Dr. Padmakumar was selected in the list of “100 most powerful Indians in the Gulf”, among 40 lakh Indians, holding 28th position for the professional excellence and commitment in obesity and diabetes surgery in 2012.

He was also invited as faculty on Obesity Surgery and Laparoscopic Hernia at IASGO 2012 (The 22nd World Congress of the International Association of Surgeons, Gastroenterologists, and Oncologists) held at Bangkok, Thailand.

An FRCS from Royal College of Surgeons – Glasgow, Dr Padmakumar has performed more than 6000 hernia surgeries laparoscopically and has trained more than 200 surgeons in the procedure. He is also the first to start diabetic surgery in the state for non-obese category (5th in the world) and perform scarless bariatric surgery with abdominoplasty.

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