India Performs First Telerobotic Weight-Loss Surgery Over 900 km Using SSI Mantra

In a groundbreaking medical achievement, India has performed its first-ever telerobotic weight-loss surgery across a distance of 900 kilometers, using the indigenously developed SSI Mantra surgical robotic system. A surgical team based in Gurugram successfully carried out a complex gastric bypass procedure on a patient located in Indore, setting a global benchmark in remote healthcare innovation.

This isn’t just a first for India—it’s the world’s first telerobotic bariatric surgery. It shows how modern technology can bridge the gap between world-class medical expertise and patients living far from urban hospitals.

What Made This Possible?

The surgery was performed using a One-Anastomosis Gastric Bypass (OAGB) technique, a minimally invasive weight-loss procedure. At the center of the operation was the SSI Mantra system, a surgical robot developed by SS Innovations, led by renowned robotic heart surgeon Dr. Sudhir Srivastava.

Dr. Mohit Bhandari, a pioneer in bariatric surgery in India, operated the robot from a console in Gurugram while a support team stood by in Indore. Despite being 900 km apart, the coordination was seamless. Thanks to ultra-low latency internet connectivity and advanced robotic tech, the surgery felt just like it was happening in the same room.

The patient responded well and began recovery within hours, with no complications reported.

Why This Is a Big Deal

This kind of remote surgery has huge potential. In many parts of India and across the world, patients don’t have access to expert surgeons without traveling hundreds of kilometers. For people with limited mobility or those living in rural areas, that’s a serious barrier to care.

Now, with systems like SSI Mantra, those boundaries can start to disappear. A top surgeon in Delhi or Mumbai could one day perform surgeries on patients in the most remote corners of the country without ever leaving the city.

The Power Behind SSI Mantra

Unlike expensive foreign robotic systems, SSI Mantra is Made in India. It was designed not just to be high-tech but also affordable and adaptable to Indian healthcare needs.

The system offers:

• 3D and 4K high-definition vision for better clarity and control

• Multiple robotic arms to mimic a surgeon’s hands

• Real-time response with a delay of less than 50 milliseconds

What’s more, it has been approved by India’s top regulatory body—the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO)—for telesurgery, making it the first Indian system to receive this green light.

Changing the Game for Patients

For patients like the one in Indore, this technology brings expert surgical care closer to home. It means fewer travel expenses, less disruption to family life, and better access to follow-up care. For hospitals, it means being able to deliver specialist treatments without needing a full-time expert on site.

The success of this procedure also proves that distance doesn’t have to mean delay. In emergencies or time-sensitive cases, a remote surgery option could be life-saving.

Looking Ahead: A New Model for Surgery

This isn’t the first remote surgery done using SSI Mantra. Earlier this year, the same system was used to perform two cardiac surgeries across distances of 250 km. But this latest operation stands out for its complexity, its range, and its potential impact.

SS Innovations has also developed mobile surgical units—essentially advanced operating rooms on wheels—that can bring the SSI Mantra robot to remote towns and villages. Imagine a bus arriving in a small town and, within hours, offering robotic surgery under the guidance of one of the country’s top specialists.

That’s the vision behind this innovation—to make world-class surgery accessible to everyone, not just those in big cities.

What’s Next for India’s Telerobotic Future

With this successful 900-km operation, India joins a very small group of nations that can safely and effectively conduct telerobotic surgeries. The technology is already being eyed for expansion into fields like urology, gynecology, and general surgery.

SS Innovations is also in talks to introduce SSI Mantra in other countries that face similar challenges in medical access, particularly in Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

As Dr. Srivastava says:

“This isn’t just about robots or technology—it’s about making healthcare more human, more reachable, and more equal.”

A Step Toward Equal Access

This first telerobotic weight-loss surgery is more than a technical success—it’s a sign of what’s possible when innovation is driven by a mission to serve.

With systems like SSI Mantra, India is not just catching up with the world—it’s helping lead the way in bringing surgical care to places where it’s needed most.