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.