About Dr Balaji - Bariatric Surgeon Dubai,
United Arab Emirates
Dr. Balaji
Medical Director,
Consultant General, Upper GI and Bariatric Surgery Dubai,
United Arab Emirates
MBBS, MS, FRCS(E), FRCS(G),FRCS( UGI), CCT-UK
A beacon of hope leading the path of Obesity Surgery Dubai
Dr. Balaji Nagammapudur is a highly experienced Consultant Upper GI and Bariatric Surgeon with more than 30 years of surgical experience, specialising in bariatric (weight loss) surgery, oesophageal surgery, and advanced laparoscopic procedures. Having trained extensively in the UK with a fellowship in oesophageal surgery in the USA, he has built an international career dedicated to treating complex upper gastrointestinal conditions and helping patients achieve sustainable weight loss through personalised care.
Throughout his career, Dr. Balaji has practised as a Consultant Surgeon in both the United Kingdom and India since 2009, gaining extensive experience in managing obesity and upper gastrointestinal disorders. He has a particular interest in Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass, revisional bariatric surgery, oesophageal surgery, and adolescent bariatric surgery. Over the past 15 years, he has worked closely with teenagers and young adults affected by severe obesity, helping them improve their long-term health through comprehensive medical and surgical treatment when appropriate.
Today, Dr. Balaji serves as a Consultant in the Department of Upper GI and Weight Loss Surgery at NMC Royal Hospital Dubai, where he also holds the position of Medical Director. Alongside his clinical responsibilities, he is passionate about healthcare leadership, patient safety, and continuous quality improvement. To further strengthen his leadership expertise, he is currently pursuing an MBA in Healthcare at the internationally renowned Warwick Business School, UK.
Trusted Bariatric Surgeon in Dubai
Dr. Balaji is recognised for his thoughtful, patient-centred approach to care. Rather than recommending surgery as the first solution, he carefully evaluates each patient’s condition and, whenever suitable, begins with evidence-based medical treatment, lifestyle modification, and non-surgical weight management strategies. Surgery is recommended only when it offers the greatest long-term benefit, ensuring every treatment plan is tailored to the patient’s individual health goals.
As an Upper GI and Bariatric Surgeon at NMC Royal Hospital Dubai, Dr. Balaji continues to contribute to professional organisations in the UK and internationally while remaining committed to advancing the fields of bariatric, laparoscopic, and oesophageal surgery. His dedication to innovation, patient safety, and compassionate care has helped many individuals achieve healthier, more fulfilling lives.
Qualifications and Achievements in a Glance
Most recent roles and positions
Fellowships
Foregut (Oesophagogastric) fellow – Department of Foregut Surgery- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA- June 200- Dec 2001.
- SAGES Research Grant – 2001
- EAES Travelling Fellowship 2006
- AUGIS Travelling fellowship – 2008 (Towards visiting the Department of Thoracic and Oesophageal Surgery at the Virginia Mason Medical Centre, Seattle, USA).
- “David Dunn” laparoscopic fellowship – ALS 2008
His Services as a Bariatric Surgeon Dubai
His Expertise
- Oesophageal (Primary and Revisional) surgery
- Bariatric Surgery (Primary & Revisional) surgery
- Adolescent (13yrs -19yrs) Bariatric surgery
- Management of Oesophageal diseases
General and Laparoscopic surgery
- Open and keyhole surgery for hernia
- Gallbladder surgery
- Emergency general surgery
- Removal of lumps and Bumps
Treatment of Oesophageal disorders
- Acid Reflux (GERD Achalasia)
- Hiatal Hernia (simple & complex para oesophageal )
- Esophageal diverticula
- Treatment of Oesophageal and stomach cancer
Weight Loss and Metabolic Surgery
- Roux-en-Y Gastric bypass
- Sleeve Gastrectomy
- SADI-S surgery
- One Anastomosis (Mini)gastric bypass
- Adolescent Bariatric Surgery
- Revisional Bariatric Surgery
Dr. Balaji's Focus:
Revisional Bariatric Surgeries:
Revisional surgeries are complex procedures that often require a high level of surgical skill, precision, and in-depth knowledge of previous surgical interventions. Equally important is knowing when and whom to operate and when not to operate. Appropriate selection, complete workup, counseling and thorough communication plays a vital part in achieving best outcomes for these patients.
Dr. Balaji’s works as an Upper GI Surgeon in Dubai, with his meticulous approach and surgical precision that is essential in revisional surgeries. He is known for his ability to navigate the complexities of reoperating and optimising outcomes.
Dr. Balaji conducts a thorough evaluation of each patient’s unique medical history, ensuring that the revisional surgery is tailored to their specific needs and any potential complications from prior procedures.
Dr. Balaji strongly advocates for patient’s well-being, ensuring that the decision to pursue revisional surgery is made with the patient’s best interests in mind. His commitment to transparent communication and shared decision-making is a hallmark of his practice.
Adolescent Bariatric Surgery
(Surgery for weight loss in the age group of 13 to 19 years)
Childhood Obesity is alarmingly on the rise worldwide and is one of the most important causes of preventable harm including risk to life in adolescence and adulthood. Excessive weight gain during adolescence can be a source of concern, impacting both physical and emotional well-being and contributing to the development of other diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and High cholesterol in adult life. Dr. Balaji specialises in adolescent bariatric surgery, offering a tailored solution to offer appropriate management surgically if felt the best way forward is to make a difference in the lives of this vulnerable population.
Your proficient Upper GI Surgeon in Dubai, Dr Balaji has a profound understanding of the unique physiological and psychological factors that affect adolescents.
Revisional Benign Oesophageal (Hiatal)Surgeries:
There is a small but significant group of patients who have problems following surgery in the past for gastroesophageal reflux or other disorders of the esophagus, due to various reasons. They are best served by a complete assessment, investigation and discussion by a multi disciplinary team and if felt appropriate they would be served by revisional surgery.
With Dr Balaji’s background of his research in esophageal diseases and his experience for over a decade in complex esophageal surgeries he is best suited to offer these challenging assessments and surgery if needed involving best members of his team.
Preserving surgical ethics and holistic care of the patient in a humane way
Based on his experience over the past 2 decades of witnessing the growth and increasing availability of choice (which can be truly confusing ), medical tourism, corporate pressure, financial incentives and technical innovation reliant on the market economy he is aware that it is not uncommon that some of the surgical principles and ethos of medicine can be challenged in certain situations.
Dr. Balaji Nagammapudur having the fortunate experience of being trained and working in one of the world’s best public Health systems ( the National Health Service in the UK ) and also having been exposed to private healthcare in other countries is able to skillfully navigate and is always focused on what is best for the patient and the families.
His practice of mindfulness, insight medication and interest in stoic philosophy helps in keeping him grounded and focused on patient oriented, high quality, safe and efficient service.