Dr. RakeshKalapala
Senior Consultant Gastroenterologist
Director — Endoscopy & Endobariatrics
Director — Centre for AI & Innovation
Pioneering advanced therapeutic endoscopy, bariatric interventions and AI-integrated gastroenterology with 19+ years of clinical and research excellence.
About
Dr. Rakesh Kalapala is a Senior Consultant Gastroenterologist with over 19 years of clinical and research excellence at India's foremost gastroenterology institutions.
He serves as Director of Endoscopy and leads the Centre for Obesity & Metabolic Therapy and the Centre for Artificial Intelligence & Innovation at AIG Hospitals, Hyderabad — Asia's largest gastroenterology centre.
His clinical focus spans advanced therapeutic endoscopy, endobariatrics, GI motility disorders, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and minimally invasive treatment for GERD. He is Principal Investigator across multiple national and international randomised controlled trials.
Work Experience
15 years at Asian Institute of Gastroenterology + 4+ years as Senior Consultant & Director at AIG Hospitals, Gachibowli.
Clinical Research
Principal Investigator for RCTs on GERD-X, Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (NASH), Intragastric Balloons (MASLD), and Duodenal Bypass Liners for Obesity & T2D.
AI & Innovation
Director, Centre for AI & Innovation, AIG Hospitals. Member, AI & ML Specialist Board, NBE. President, AIM Foundation (aimfoundation.ai).
Teaching & Editorial
Course Director, ABE Course, DDW 2025. Associate Editor, iGIE Journal. Editorial Board, International Journal of Medical Sciences.
Clinical Expertise
Advanced diagnostic and therapeutic gastroenterology, with a focus on minimally invasive endoscopic techniques and metabolic interventions.
UGI Endoscopy
Advanced upper GI endoscopy for diagnosis and treatment of esophageal, gastric, and duodenal diseases including EMR and ESD.
Colonoscopy
Diagnostic and therapeutic colonoscopy, polypectomy, EMR, haemostasis and surveillance for colorectal cancer and IBD.
ERCP
Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography for biliary and pancreatic duct diseases, stone extraction and stenting.
Endoscopic Ultrasound
EUS-guided fine needle aspiration and biopsy of GI lesions, lymph nodes, submucosal masses and solid organ pathologies.
Bariatric Endoscopy
Minimally invasive endoscopic treatment for obesity — Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty, Intragastric Balloons and more.
GERD & Motility
High-resolution manometry, pH-impedance studies, and endoscopic treatment of GERD and esophageal motility disorders.
Endobariatric Procedures in Focus
Specialised minimally invasive procedures for obesity and metabolic syndrome.
Intra Gastric Balloons
Adjustable & non-adjustable balloons for weight loss and MASLD treatment without surgery.
Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty
Sutured gastroplasty replicating sleeve anatomy — no surgical incision required.
Duodenal-Jejunal Bypass Liner
Endoluminal device improving metabolic parameters in obese Type 2 Diabetes patients.
Endoluminal Vertical Gastroplasty
Novel durable gastric volume reduction using advanced endoscopic suturing platforms.
Research & Publications
- 01J Obstetrics & Gynaecology · 2025Expert consensus for management of GERD in pregnancy — collaborative insights from IndiaSingh AP, Koduri KK, Kalapala R, et al.
- 02Nature Scientific Reports · 2025Modifiable lifestyle factors and genetic risk of obesity in IndiansHassanin E, Kalapala R, Jagtap N, et al.
- 03Gastro Hep Advances · 2025Endohepatology: Evolving indications, challenges, unmet needs and opportunitiesRoy A, Sharma M, Kulkarni A, Kalapala R, et al.
- 04J Clin. & Exp. Hepatology · 2025Adjustable Intragastric Balloon for Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver DiseaseKalapala R*, Jagtap N*, Rughwani H*, et al.
- 05J Digestive Endoscopy · 2025Efficacy & Safety of Endoscopic Gastroplasty vs. Lifestyle Modification — Meta-Analysis of RCTsJagtap N, Golchha A, Boskoski I, Kalapala R, et al.
- 06Indian J Gastroenterology · 2025Oral semaglutide for weight loss and liver fibrosis in overweight and obesity — RCTKatrevula A, Kalapala R, Jagtap N, et al.
- 07Endoscopy · 2025Reflections on AI for submucosal vessel detection during third-space endoscopyTyagi A, Rughwani H, Kalapala R, Ramchandani M, Reddy D.
- 08Annals of Internal Medicine · 2024ESWL and Endoscopy for pain in Chronic Pancreatitis — Sham-Controlled Randomised TrialTalukdar R, Olesen SS, Kalapala R, Reddy DN, et al.
- 09Endoscopy · 2024Biflanged metal stents vs. plastic stents in EUS-guided drainage of walled-off necrosis — RCTKoduri KK, Jagtap N, Lakhtakia S, Kalapala R, et al.
- 10VideoGIE (ASGE) · 2024Novel approach for weight reduction after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass with weight regainKalapala R, Inavolu P, Jagtap N, Abu Dayyeh BK, Reddy DN.
- 11Endoscopy International Open · 2024A Comprehensive Audit of GI Endoscopy Adverse Events — AIG-AGREE ModificationKatrevula A, Singla N, Rughwani H, Kalapala R, et al.
- 12GUT · 2021Endoscopic Full Thickness Plication for PPI-Dependent GERD — Randomised Sham Controlled TrialKalapala R, Karyampudi A, Nabi Z, Sharma P, Reddy DN, et al.
- 13Digestive Endoscopy · 2023Endoscopic management of GERD — Panacea for PPI-dependent/refractory patientsKalapala R, Singla N, Reddy DN.
- 14Gastrointestinal Endoscopy · 2023Conventional vs. oblique fiber-sparing POEM for achalasia cardia — RCTNabi Z, Chandran V, Basha J, Kalapala R, Reddy DN, et al.
- 15Indian J Gastroenterology · 2021Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty — minimally invasive treatment for NAFLD and obesityKalapala R, Katakwar A, Sharma M, Reddy DN, et al.
Awards & Recognition
Young Investigator Award
Oral presentation — Multichannel Intraluminal Impedance in NERD patients, Asian Neurogastroenterology & Motility Association (ANMA)
2011Dr. B. J. Vakil Award
Best Fellow in Clinical Research — Asian Institute of Gastroenterology, Hyderabad
2008Distinguished Abstract Award
Federation of Neurogastroenterology & Motility (FNM)
2014Course Director — ABE Course, DDW
Association of Bariatric Endoscopy Course, Digestive Disease Week, USA
2025Fellowships & Affiliations
Fellow — American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
United States of America
Fellow — European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
Europe
Fellow — Japanese Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Society
Japan
Fellow — Society of GI Endoscopy of India
India
Member — IFSO Bariatric & Metabolic Endoscopy Committee
International Federation
Member — Specialist Board in AI & ML, National Board of Examinations
India
Contact & Appointments
Get in touch
Gachibowli, Hyderabad — 500032
Telangana, India
Centre for AI & Innovation
Endoscopy Unit — AIG Hospitals
AIG Hospitals, Gachibowli, Hyderabad
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For consultations, second opinions, or procedure inquiries, reach out via email or contact AIG Hospitals directly. Emergency cases attended around the clock.
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