A lifeline for the overweight

Dr Kirubakaran speaking to a patient during the hospital’s weekly bariatric clinic on Thursdays.

LOOKING at her cheerful disposition and optimism, no one would have guessed that just five months ago T. Rekha was obese, depressed and on the verge of being critically ill.

Weighing 110kg before undergoing bariatric surgery at the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital in Ipoh, the 37-year-old bank employee would grumble at the thought of having to walk 10 steps.