Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery & Bariatric Surgery Melbourne

Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery & Bariatric Surgery Melbourne

Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery & Bariatric Surgery Melbourne

Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery & Bariatric Surgery Melbourne

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.

The UGIRS Team that care for our patients at each touch point during their treatment with A/Prof Pilgrim are comprised of anaesthetists, surgical assistants, perioperative physicians, gastroenterologists, endocrinologist, dietitian, wellness coach and our office staff, each providing expert advice and guidance throughout. If you’d like to find out more about A/Prof Charles Pilgrim you can visit his profile online, or get to know our team of medical specialists.

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

Our comprehensive bariatric surgery program is designed to help our patients achieve their weight loss goals post-surgery. We want to give you all of the tools you need to make your new lifestyle a success, including on-going sessions with our Dietitian Lisa and Wellness Coach Meredith in addition to your time with A/Prof Pilgrim.

UGI Robotic Surgery

Pioneering da Vinci robotic platforms have transformed the field of minimally invasive surgery. The da Vinci system translates the surgeon’s hand movements in real time, allowing intuitive motion which moves like the human hand, but with a greater range of motion. Find out more about robotic surgery and the da Vinci system, or speak to us about your options. A/Prof Pilgrim was the first surgeon in Victoria to perform robotic pancreatic surgery, the first surgeon to perform robotic liver surgery, and amongst the first performing robotic hernia and bariatric surgery.

Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery

A/Prof Pilgrim offers a broad spectrum of upper gastrointestinal surgical procedures and treatments. The focus of the team at UGIRS and A/Prof Pilgrim is always patient centred care, and we take the time to ensure that you are felt cared for and respected during every step of your treatment or procedure with us.

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.