Considering it's a case that everyone will be closely watching, bariatric surgeon Dr Muffazal Lakdawala held a press conference on the future course of action for Eman Ahmed's treatment at Saifee Hospital on Monday.
The first phase of her weight loss treatment has been charted out. "Over the next four weeks, we will try to make her lose 80-100 kg," said Dr Lakdawala.
He is heading the 15-member team of doctors tasked with treating the Egypt national, who was flown to Mumbai on February 11. The team includes dietitians, physiotherapists and nephrologists among other experts.
"Her skin is not normal. It feels as hard as a rock, as there is a lot of fluid retention in the body," he explained.
Diet plan, physiotherapy and medication to level out major nutrient imbalances will target the fluid retention, and help knock off the first 80 to 100 kg, he said.
Eman, who weighs 500 kg, has been put on a special liquid protein diet by doctors at the moment. While a normal BMI is 24, her's is 252. "Her creatinine and uric acid levels are very high. The uric acid levels were at 16, but we have brought it down to 11," Dr Lakdawala said.
A team of doctors have been remotely monitoring Eman's health for three weeks now. Medicines were carried along with the doctors from Mumbai, who visited Eman in Egypt before she was to be brought to India. She was put on drips during the air journey to minimise chances of embolism (blood clot) during travel.
An all-women eight-member team is looking after Eman's daily needs, as she is unable to move.
Doctors are awaiting results of the genetic tests before deciding on the way ahead. "Different genes could lead to obesity and not all may respond well to surgery and treatment. Once the test results come in, we may have to rethink the surgery and medical management," said endocrinologist Dr Shehla Shaikh, who is a part of the medical team treating 36-year-old Eman.
While the first surgery is likely to take place only after four weeks, doctors hope to help Eman sit in the next three to six months. Though her treatment will continue for years, she would be free to return to Egypt after that.
Eman's case caught the attention of Dr Lakdawala after a social media campaign was initiated by her younger sister Shaimaa Selim, who has accompanied Eman to India. Shaimaa has left behind a two and a half-year-old child to be with her sister. She along with her mother, have been Eman's primary caretakers at her home in Egypt. The walls of the living room had to be torn down to get Eman out using cranes.
"Eman is very happy now. Her life changed completely three days ago. Please pray for her recovery," said Shaimaa, adding that Eman wants to watch movies of Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan, in her customised room at Saifee hospital.
