12/03/2026
Groundbreaking Bariatric Surgery on a Super Morbidly Obese Patient at Mwin Tuba Hospital & Colo-Proctology Centre
A groundbreaking surgical procedure was recently performed at Mwin Tuba Hospital & Colo-Proctology Centre by the hospital’s bariatric surgery consortium, led by Dr. Theodore Wordui, Head of the Laparoscopic Surgery Team.
While bariatric surgery has been routinely performed at the hospital, this was the first procedure on a super morbidly obese patient weighing over 300 kg. The previous heaviest patient weighed 240 kg, with most patients ranging between 115 and 175 kg.
Obesity is steadily rising worldwide. In Ghana, the prevalence of obesity is 17%, and that of overweight is 25%. The demand for bariatric surgery is expected to grow, highlighting the need for local expertise to manage this workload.
The patient, a 48-year-old mother of four, had been bedridden for over a year due to her weight. She had an uncontrollable appetite and spent most of her time eating. Although aware of her weight gain, she could not manage her appetite.
Her family, unable to afford treatment abroad, was unaware that bariatric surgery could be performed in Ghana. They learned about the service from a 36-year-old female relative weighing 135 kg who successfully underwent laparoscopic bariatric surgery at Mwin Tuba Hospital. Witnessing her significant weight loss convinced the family of the procedure’s effectiveness, and they contacted the hospital.
The patient’s size posed significant challenges. At home, she lived in the yard, unable to enter any room. At the hospital, she was nursed on two hospital beds, and the surgery was performed with her lying across two operating theatre tables joined together.
She also had hypertension and diabetes, managed with oral medications.
The surgery was successfully performed by a team of surgeons and supporting staff: Drs. Theodore Wordui, Sandra Tsatsu, Philemon Kumassah, Isabella Dakubo, and Divine Kwami, with additional support from Emmanuel Tampah-Naah, Stafford Tackie, John, and Prof. Jonathan CB Dakubo.
Following the procedure, the patient and her family expressed immense joy and gratitude toward the hospital and surgical team. The patient’s brother, who is also obese, has since expressed interest in undergoing the surgery.
Bariatric surgery helps obese patients lose weight by reducing the stomach’s capacity and the absorptive surface of the intestine. This limits food intake and nutrient absorption, promoting the burning of excess energy and resulting in weight loss.
Surgical capacity building is a core mandate of Mwin Tuba Hospital & Colo-Proctology Centre, where practical colore**al and laparoscopic surgery is taught to trainee surgeons.
This landmark achievement demonstrates that complex abdominal surgeries can be safely performed in Ghana, reducing the need for patients to travel abroad for such procedures.
Prof. Jonathan CB Dakubo
