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I'm a 'fat doctor'

My Man
 Dr Vladimir Shchukin

He's one of the few doctors who 'treat' obesity in Kenya, Dr Vladimir Shchukin tells Gardy Chacha how his struggle with weight led him into a career not many have dared look into.

Word has it that your job is to cut stomachs as a solution for obesity. What is that about?

It is not as simple as that. The range of surgeries I perform are aimed at finding solutions for the morbidly obese. Generally such surgery is referred to as bariatric surgery.

Your wife mentioned to me that you are the only bariatric surgeon in the region...

It is not exactly right to say that. What she means is that I have most experience judging from the number of years I have practiced and the amount of discipline I have employed in to become one. I am constantly training in this field.

Of all medical specialties, you settled for ‘obesity’. You must hate seeing fat people?

I don’t hate fat people. It is not upon me to decide who is likable and who is not. I am only concerned for their health. Then again my choice to become a bariatric surgeon was more informed on my own experiences and not on dislike for any particular people.

By that you mean you were once obese?

Yes... I should show you the pictures.

As I wait for the pictures, how did you end up there when both you and your wife are doctors?

When I married my wife, about 22 years ago, I enjoyed my wife’s cooking. My wife – I believe – was also keen on making sure that she pleases her husband; showing that she cared with her cooking. She was showing her skills in the kitchen. And then there are traditions in the family that promote eating. Both factors combined got me weighing much more than I should have.

How did it feel weighing so much?

Generally, not good. My health got worse. My activity level went down. And I had to take medicine for high blood pressure. Then again, it is not that nice having a big stomach that blocks the view to your feet; you can’t tie your own shoe laces and have to rely on people to do it for you. It does not help much that your thighs cause so much friction.

How did you deal with the weight?

Through bariatric surgery. I had to travel to Europe to get it done. At the time, I couldn’t find professionals with the right specialisation to perform it in Kenya. That was the turning point for me and my wife. We are both obesity specialists based on this experience.

Speaking of Europe, are you a citizen in Kenya?

Yes, I am. I can’t change the colour of my skin though. My wife and children are Kenyan too.

From your accent you haven’t been around for so long. Am I right?

I first came to Kenya in 1987. I had been sent by the Soviet Union on a contract between my government and that of Kenya.

Thus far what has been your experience apart from eating your way into obesity?

When I came, I learnt to speak Luo. I was working in Kisumu at the New Nyanza Hospital as a general and orthopedic surgeon. At some point, I went to practice in Eldoret at a private practice. There I learnt some Kalenjin. Lately, I have been learning Kiswahili because it is widely spoken compared to the other languages

Do you receive more male clients... or female?

Majority are women. But that is because women are more cautious about their health than men are. Men are more ignorant in that regard. Plus, women are also concerned about their beauty and how they look.

Do you believe that obesity has any influence on beauty?

There are certain sizes of breast, hips and bums that appeal to different people. For a long time the fashion world has promoted skinny and nearly anorexic women as the yardstick for beauty. It is only recently that big bodied women have found their niche in fashion. Now people can say, ‘she is big and beautiful’. All that is fine. But remember there is fashion, life and health.

So, would you say fat people are beautiful?

People have different preferences. And again, beauty is not for me to judge. Personally those who look fit (with the just enough flesh) attract my eyes.

Majority of your clients just want to look beautiful?

Not really. Obesity is a disease. It affects a woman’s fertility and sex life. So, there are those who would love to be healthy – to avoid diabetes and kidney failure. There are those who want to get pregnant and understand that lowering their BMI will increase their chances of conceiving. Then there is a group that just wants to look slimmer. There are a variety of reasons I would say.

How does it feel working with your wife in close proximity?

It is not strange for me. My parents worked together too. Plus, I look at my wife as someone who helps me with my work.

How old are you now?

Sixty.

When are you planning to retire? When I am taken to the cemetery. In medicine the older a doctor is, the better his skills become. The best doctors in the world are old. So, I am becoming more valuable. At some point I may not be able to perform surgery but my wisdom will be very valuable.

If you have to choose from chocolate, French fries and ice cream what would it be?

Any of them but definitely not all of them at one time. My choice would be informed by the time of the day.

I see; you learnt your lesson... Yes, I did.

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