Deep Goel

Dr. Deep Goel is an Indian gastrointestinal and bariatric surgeon. He is the Director and Head of Bariatric and Gastrointestinal Oncology Surgery at BLK Super Speciality Hospital in New Delhi. Goel performs laparoscopic, bariatric and minimally invasive gastrointestinal operations and has been quoted by Indian national newspapers as an expert on obesity, weight‑loss surgery and related health issues.

Career

Dr. Goel trained in general surgery and began practising in New Delhi in the 1990s. He specialises in bariatric surgery and gastrointestinal oncology. As Director of Bariatric and Gastrointestinal Oncology Surgery at BLK Super Speciality Hospital, he performs laparoscopic procedures such as sleeve gastrectomy and gastric balloon placement.

Goel has been cited in national media for his clinical work and commentary on obesity. In 2013, when the Indian government decided to include bariatric surgery under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), the *Times of India* reported Goel saying that a healthy body mass index (BMI) ranges from 18 to 23 kg/m² and that bariatric surgery is a life‑saving procedure for very obese patients. Two years later he spoke about the risks of sedentary jobs, telling the newspaper that prolonged sitting is a major cause of obesity among middle‑aged professionals.

Goel has performed several notable bariatric procedures. In March 2015, he led a team at BLK hospital that operated on Rafid, a man weighing 277 kg; the *Times of India* reported that the patient lost 30 kg shortly after the operation and was expected to shed another 125 kg over nine months. Later that year the newspaper covered a trend of would‑be brides opting for **gastric balloon** weight‑loss treatment and quoted Goel describing the method as non‑invasive and temporary; he noted that he performed **seven to eight gastric balloon procedures each month**.

Goel is also involved in patient education. In 2014 the Hindustan Times reported that he had created a WhatsApp support group for people who had undergone or were considering bariatric surgery. He said the group connected patients, dieticians, surgeons and physiotherapists, allowing members to share post‑surgery experiences and weight‑loss progress.

Public commentary

Goel frequently comments on the medical and social implications of obesity. In 2015 he told *Times of India* that obese patients should be screened for liver conditions before undergoing bariatric surgery, noting that the **BMI of a healthy individual is 18–23 kg/m²**. In the same year he warned that prolonged sitting and lack of physical activity contribute to heart disease and obesity.

He has also highlighted the dangers of extreme eating challenges. In July 2017 a *Times of India* story about a student who suffered a stomach tear after a chilli‑burger eating competition quoted Goel as saying that the boy could have died if he had not been brought to hospital quickly; Goel explained that chemicals in chillies can damage the stomach lining, causing severe bleeding.

In 2017 the *Hindustan Times* covered a study linking obesity to 13 types of cancer and quoted Goel, as Director of Bariatric and Gastrointestinal Oncology Surgery, saying that obese people have a greater risk of developing and dying from several cancers. He explained that high insulin levels and hormonal changes associated with obesity may contribute to cancer risk.

See also

• Bariatric surgery
• Laparoscopic surgery
• Gastrointestinal oncology