Have questions? We’ve compiled the most important information to help you feel informed and confident in your journey.
You may be wondering who is the Best Bariatric Surgeon to look after you or a family member considering weight loss surgery. This is your most important decision. Your GP may be able to assist you with a referral, or you may be guided by recommendations from family and friends.
These are some things to consider:
You may be considered a candidate for weight loss surgery if your BMI is in excess of 35 even though you present no co-morbidity symptoms. Some patients with lower BMI 32 to 35 may be considered candidates if they have diabetes or heart disease.
The health fund waiting period for weight loss surgery is 12 months as obesity is considered a pre-existing condition. However, there may be other options available to you including Early release of Superannuation for medical reasons. For further information please contact us.
Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy or Bypass is performed with minimally invasive ‘keyhole’ surgery. This means there is:
Other laparoscopic procedures performed by our surgeons include:
Usually there is minimal pain after keyhole surgery, however, some patients experience “gas pain” in the left shoulder or chest. We make every attempt to control pain so that you move about quickly and become active. This helps avoid problems such as blood clots and speeds recovery. Several drug options are used to help manage your post-surgery pain as required.
Although the weight loss surgery procedures are minimally invasive, there are risks and complications, especially if the patient suffers from a pre-existing illness, such as heart disease or diabetes.
When considering surgery, it is important to realise that the potential benefits of weight control surgery outweigh the risks.
Some of risks and complications of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy surgery are:
‘Success’, following weight loss surgery, is measured in terms of:
Studies have shown that following sleeve gastrectomy and bypass procedures patients can expect:
It is important to realise that these are general expectation bases on published studies. No guarantee can be given for to any individual patient.
Circle of Care results can be found at “our results”
Yes, our Nutritionist will go through your supplement requirements in your first or second visit. Due to changes to the gastric and bowel function caused by the Sleeve or bypass, you will need to take a multivitamin and mineral supplement daily for the rest of your life. Vitamins and minerals may become depleted and require supplementation such as iron and vitamin B12. Regular blood tests will help determine this.
Hair loss following weight loss surgery is common and usually due to the physiological stress resulting from shifting nutrients towards vital organs and away from the more cosmetic organs such as hair growth. It results from:
To remedy this, take your multivitamin and mineral supplement. Eat foods high in protein at least 2 meals per day. High protein foods are often also high in iron and zinc, but not always. Aim for 60-80mg protein per day and the same of carbohydrate. If your iron stores are low, you may need an iron supplement. Oysters are the richest food source of zinc. 4 weeks after surgery limit meal replacement shakes and bars to 1 per day.
No. Obesity is potentially a severe and a life threatening disease. It is recognised by health funds and Medicare.
Item number 31575 is the item number that you should quote to your fund if you are considering this surgery.
You will have less bowel movements after surgery because you will be eating less food. There is no need to be concerned nor to take anything for it if you are comfortable. “Not going” does not mean you are constipated.
Symptoms
Untreated constipation can lead to:
Causes
Treatment
It is wise to treat constipation in the first 24 hours with 30ml prune juice twice per day. If that does not work, use a laxative. See your pharmacist or GP ASAP if symptoms have progressed or your treatment fails to work. There is little value on adding a bulking agent such as Benefibre or Metamucil or eating extra fibre if you are already blocked up. It will just sit on top.
Prevention
See causes and do the opposite. A bulking agent such as Benefibre can help things run smoothly. Take care with fibre supplements that swell as they may become uncomfortable soon after consuming. Useful products include All-Bran Fibre Toppers (2.5g/1.5 tbls) and Quaker Golden Apricot Fibre Bar (7.6g/30g bar).
When you are not eating much, the goal is a bowel movement every 2 or 3 days without straining and possibly less often on the fluid diet.
Of course, we have many delightful patients who are happy to speak to you about their experience
We encourage a friend or family member accompany you on your consultation with the surgeon.
Meal sizes should be kept to entrée size due to your limited capacity now. Remember, you will not be inclined to eat large portions as your appetite will be reduced dramatically. Eat slowly and enjoy the taste and flavours of food! Social eating may be harder initially after the sleeve or bypass. If your dining with friends at a friend’s, you may wish to advise them that you can only eat a small amount of food to save any embarrassment.
Alcohol is high in calorie content and is therefore not recommended. There are some health advantages with modest alcohol intake, particularly wine. Occasionally a glass of wine is not really going to compromise your outcome, just try to avoid this occurring more than once a week.
A quarter of our patients seek advice regarding excess skin following weight loss surgery. This depends on the age of the patient which determines the amount of elastin in the skin and thus the ability of the skin to shrink. Removal of the abdominal apron is the most common, followed by arms and breast lifts or augmentation. Plastic surgery is not usually considered for some months after reaching your goal weight. We can assess and discuss the need considering cosmetic surgery to remove excess skin at an appropriate time.
We have access specialist plastic surgeons at Circle of Care with the expertise in body contouring required after weight loss.
We believe that life-long on-going care and support following weight loss surgery is important to achieve sustainable weight loss and improvement in health and day-to-day quality of life. That is why we offer an extended care program and recommend twice annual visits after 2 years.
