Bariatric Surgery

The surgical treatment of excess weight (bariatric/metabolic surgery) has been a rapidly growing area of surgical practice in Australia over the past 20 years.

Today there are a choice of procedures in use, which include sleeve gastrectomy, mini gastric bypass and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

Side effects of excess body fat

Having a BMI of over 35 is now recognised as a chronic life-threatening illness, contributing to reduced quality of life and life expectancy. It is strongly associated with many other medical conditions such as:

  • Type 2 diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • Heart disease
  • Stroke
  • Heartburn and reflux
  • Obstructive sleep apnoea
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Infertility
  • Depression

Most of these related medical conditions (or ‘co-morbidities’) may be improved or resolved with significant weight loss.

Am I a candidate for surgery?

When conservative measures (diets and exercise) have failed to achieve long-term weight control, then surgery to control appetite and portion size may be an option in appropriately selected cases.

Suitable candidates are

  • usually between 18 and 65 years of age
  • have a BMI of greater than 35 kg/m2 and associated comorbidity, or greater than 40 kg/m2 without comorbidity
  • have not achieved and maintained weight loss despite a minimum of 6 months conservative measures

How can ACFEB help?

Bariatric surgery can transform your life. However, good preparation and post-operative support are often the difference between failure and success. We can help you to

  • Decide whether this is right choice for you
  • Prepare emotionally for the consequences of surgery
  • Dealing with the judgement of others
  • Manage feelings without needing to eat.
  • Deal with depression and boost self worth.
  • Manage body image changes
  • Free yourself from the old habits and behaviour patterns
  • Prepare you for relationship changes

ACFEB approved practitioners understand bariatric surgery, why it is so hard to make behavioural changes, and how it affects your life.