In a groundbreaking and life-saving medical intervention, 14-year-old Mihir Jain, once weighing 237 kg, underwent a successful gastric bypass surgery at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, New Delhi. The procedure made him the world’s heaviest teenager to receive bariatric surgery, according to hospital officials.

Mihir’s struggle with obesity began at age five, and by his early teens, his weight had spiraled out of control due to hormonal imbalances and a sedentary lifestyle. By the time he reached Max Hospital in late 2017, he was wheelchair-bound, unable to walk, breathe easily, or attend school. His Body Mass Index (BMI) of 92 placed him in the category of “super-super obese.”

“His condition was extremely critical. He was barely able to move or even sit straight,” said Dr. Pradeep Chowbey, Chairman of Max Institute of Minimal Access, Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.

Due to the elevated risk, Mihir was placed on a strict preoperative diet that helped him lose around 40 kg, reducing his weight to just below 200 kg—essential for surgical safety. Special surgical tools, longer laparoscopic instruments, and anesthesia protocols were used due to his size and fragile health.

On July 3, 2018, the surgical team performed a laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass—a complex procedure that reduces stomach capacity and alters digestion. The surgery took 90 minutes and was completed without complications.

• Post-surgery, Mihir began shedding weight rapidly.
• Within a few months, he had lost over 70 kg, dropping from 237 kg to 165 kg.
• His breathing improved, mobility returned, and his quality of life was completely transformed.

After surgery, Mihir could do things many teenagers take for granted—attend school, go to the movies, walk unassisted, and enjoy time with friends. His doctors projected further weight loss in the following year, targeting 100 kg or less with continued lifestyle changes.

“We gave him not just a surgery, but a new life,” said Dr. Chowbey.

This case highlights the capabilities of Indian hospitals to manage complex, high-risk adolescent obesity. Mihir’s journey shines a light on the urgent need for early intervention and lifestyle awareness among young people.

Mihir Jain’s remarkable transformation from immobility to independence is a story of courage, medical innovation, and second chances—and serves as a beacon of hope for children battling extreme obesity across the world.