Upper Gastrointestinal Robotic Surgery was founded in Melbourne, Victoria, by Associate Professor Charles Pilgrim in 2020. At UGIRS, we treat patients for a variety of upper gastrointestinal and general surgical issues such as Gallstones, Hernias, cancers of the Pancreas, Liver, Bile Ducts, and Stomach. We also provide a distinctive Bariatric Surgery program, offering Gastric Sleeve and Gastric Band (Lap Band) surgery, with the option of robot assisted bariatric surgery.
As a specialist upper gastrointestinal surgery practice, we are also able to offer robot assisted surgery for our patients. The da Vinci Xi is the most advanced surgical robot technology and is focussed for the best outcome for patients, allowing the surgeon to perform complex minimally invasive surgery with maximal skill. Visit our Robotic Surgery page for more information.
If you’d like to know more about any of the services that our team provides and if we can help you, then please contact our clinic on (03) 9509 4811. Or submit a quick enquiry online and one of the team will get back to you as soon as possible.
Bariatric Surgery Program
UGI Robotic Surgery
Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery
Bariatric Surgery
Bariatric surgery involves making changes to the digestive system to help achieve excess weight loss and a healthier lifestyle. The specific procedure may limit the amount of food a person can consume, reduce the body’s ability to absorb nutrients, or both. A/Prof Pilgrim performs two bariatric surgery procedures; lap band surgery (gastric band surgery) and gastric sleeve surgery (laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy or robotic sleeve gastrectomy).
Gallbladder
The gallbladder is a small pear-shaped organ that sits underneath the liver on the right side of the abdomen and stores bile used to digest fats. When inflamed, the gallbladder can cause abdominal pain, nausea/vomiting and fever. The gallbladder becomes inflamed when gallstones block it up or otherwise irritate the lining of the gallbladder.
Hernia
Hernias usually occur in the abdomen (stomach) between your chest and hips or may appear in the groin and upper thigh area. When weak areas develop in the layers of muscle in the abdominal wall, the contents of your abdomen pushes through the weak surrounding muscle or connective tissue and a hernia occurs. Hernias can develop very quickly or over a long period of time, a result of tissue weakness, strain or a combination of both.
Pancreas
The pancreas is a vital gland organ, shaped like a flat pear, that is located in the abdomen between the stomach and the spine. Pancreatitis can cause severe pain in the upper part of your stomach that radiates into your back. You may experience nausea and vomiting, a fever, swollen tender stomach or a higher heart rate.
Liver & Bile Duct
The liver is a large organ located under your rib cage on the right side of your abdomen. The liver is a vital part of the digestive system and works with other gastrointestinal organs to digest, absorb and process food. Liver disease does not always present noticeable signs or symptoms. The most well known sign of liver problems is jaundice, where the skin and eyes appear yellow.
Stomach
The stomach is a muscular organ located in the upper left side of the abdomen and is part of the gastrointestinal digestive system. The stomach has three main functions; temporary storage of food, breakdown of food and digestion. Problems in the stomach and digestive tract may range from mild to very serious. Some common problems include reflux (heartburn), gastritis, gastric ulcers or gastric cancer.