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If you are overweight and have concerns that your weight may be affecting your health, then weight loss surgery could be right for you. Surgery can be considered when other attempts at weight loss have been tried and have been unsuccessful.
There are internationally agreed patient criteria for performing weight loss surgery that are based on BMI measurements. The best way to find out if you are eligible is to make an appointment for an assessment with Dr Ian Baxter, or to meet for a free consultation with our Bariatric Educator who can answer all your questions.
In order to be considered for weight loss surgery, you should:
As well as meeting the specific criteria for weight loss surgery which are based on BMI and other health co-morbidities:
You may be eligible for the bypass if you identify with one of the following conditions:
Dr Baxter will carefully assess your medical history, your age and your family history of obesity and associated serious illnesses. He will then consider your particular case before making a decision about your eligibility for surgery.
To find out if surgery could be suitable for you please phone (07) 5444 8594 to discuss your options with one of our team.
The term “morbid obesity” is used to describe severe, abnormal and debilitating obesity. Individuals with this condition are prone to develop different medical problems through their lives.
The life expectancy of severely obese people is decreased by 10 to 15 years, mainly because of increased incidence of heart attacks, strokes, hypertension and diabetes. They also tend to develop severe arthritis in weight-bearing joints. Self-image may be poor, and depression can result.
The most widely used method to assess weight is the body mass index (BMI), which is weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared.
If your BMI is:
Another useful method is waist measurement. Men with a waist of 94cm or more and women with a waist of 80cm or more are more likely to develop obesity-related health problems such as Type 2 Diabetes, heart disease and some cancers.
Yes. You require a referral to see any specialist. This can be obtained from your GP and will allow you to claim a Medicare rebate for your consultations and surgery.
If Dr Baxter deems you a suitable candidate and you decide to proceed, our team will organise appointments with the dietitian and psychologist. You will then see Dr Baxter once more to go through results and consent of the procedure with surgery. A date will be booked and our admin team will go through all information regarding your procedure and any necessary appointments.
Successful treatment for obesity involves continued treatment, guidance & support. We will continue to work closely with you to establish new ways of living and help you achieve your weight loss goals.
We inform the ATO that you did not proceed with the surgery, as the application we provided was under the understanding you were accessing your superannuation for a “chronic condition” as a “Compassionate Release of Superannuation” based on hardship.
Only small amounts of water can be digested, particularly for the first few months after surgery—frequent sips are key. The amount you can comfortably ingest increases over time; however, “guzzling” a whole glass/bottle at once is generally difficult, causes discomfort and is not advised. Many people can increase their fluid intake to over 2 litres per day.
Yes. After you have healed and formed new, healthier eating habits, nothing is off limits—it’s whether you still like it or not. Takeaway and high-fat/sugary foods should be in moderation (as is ideal with or without surgery). It takes time for your smaller tummy to adjust and for you to work out what sits well.
Your life is what you make it. If food has been the main source of pleasure, this is an opportunity to build new, healthy, fun, creative habits. Weight loss surgery is an effective tool to limit how much you can eat and can suppress appetite (particularly in the first 12–18 months). It does not fix the “head chatter”—that’s something you’ll work on, often with our dietitians and psychologists.
Life becomes about quality over quantity—you can pick the best of the best (entrée size), feel guilt-free, avoid bloating and that “food coma,” and you become a cheap date!
Some people do regain weight. It’s generally related to gradually returning to old habits, not following the fundamentals we teach for long-term success, or other life factors. The tools for success are explained and reinforced before surgery and throughout the first 12 months of support we provide.
Yes. Taking specifically designed bariatric vitamins and calcium daily ensures you receive what your body requires if you’re not getting enough through food choices. What you save on your food bill is replaced with what you require for your new life after WLS (vitamins, calcium, protein powders).
Yes, there is generally a period between 4–7 months where you may experience some hair loss. If you follow guidance—taking vitamins, having sufficient protein, living a healthy lifestyle—this will be limited.
More than likely. It depends on your age, the amount of weight loss, where you predominantly carry weight, your skin’s collagen/elasticity, and whether you exercise throughout weight loss.
We advise revisiting this topic at least 2 years after surgery, once you have maintained a stable weight for at least 6 months. Focus on one step at a time—step one is surgery and forming the fundamentals for long-term success.
Approximately 5% of people who have WLS develop reflux at some stage. To minimise the risk of needing revisional surgery due to reflux, all patients undergo a Contrast Swallow test to determine if you suffer from reflux or silent reflux prior to surgery.
We require routine blood tests and a radiology examination called a barium swallow (an X-ray to examine the digestive system and your oesophagus).
Yes. Telehealth consultations are available for new and existing patients who live in remote areas. Please contact our friendly team for further information.
Yes. Before bariatric surgery, you are required to have a very low energy diet (VLED), such as Formulite/Optifast or similar meal replacements. This helps reduce liver size for a safer, more effective operation. The diet is required for up to 2 weeks prior to surgery. Your dietitian will give you instructions and our administration staff can help you navigate this pre-operative phase.
We usually recommend a 2-week recovery following weight loss surgery. If you are a FIFO worker or your work requires heavy lifting/manual labour (e.g., miner, builder, concreter), you will require between 2–4 weeks off or modified/light duties.
Recovery varies. For Gastric Sleeve or bypass: usually a 2 night hospital stay. Lap band patients typically require an overnight stay.
If you live remotely, we recommend staying approximately 1 week so you can be seen post-operatively before travelling home. This is assessed case-by-case by Dr Baxter.
You’ll need one nail free from these products as they can interfere with monitoring oxygen levels.
Dr Baxter and his team provide comprehensive long-term care. You will require two post-operative appointments with Dr Baxter and three with our dietetics team within the first three months after surgery.
Yes—tablets, capsules or syrups are fine provided they do not contain ibuprofen and are not non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Use paracetamol-based options.
We usually like to avoid anti inflammatory medications after bariatric surgery . They can be taken sparingly as they can ulcerate the stomach.
Yes. These topical medications can be used for sore muscles and inflammation.
Generally after four weeks. Use with caution and only for short periods—blood pressure can drop and dehydration can occur quickly. Stay extremely well hydrated.
Refrain for the first 6 months. After that, introduce alcohol cautiously. Many people feel the effects much quicker and may overestimate tolerance. Do not drive after even one drink, as absorption can be faster and stronger than before.
Yes, but be selective. If you’re within the first 7 weeks of the texture-progression stages, choose foods suitable for your stage. After the initial phases, you can experiment with what you like and what sits well.
We strongly recommend you do not eat and drink at the same time and adopt this habit for life, because:
Yes (you generous soul!), but wait at least 12 weeks post-surgery to reduce the risk of deficiency, particularly iron. Consider waiting until your first pathology test after 6 months confirms your levels are fine before donating.
