Bariatric Surgery Melbourne

What is bariatric surgery (weight loss surgery)?

There are several different weight loss surgery procedures available that involve making changes to your 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. Collectively these procedures are known as bariatric surgery.

Bariatric surgery can offer many benefits to those suffering with obesity, but as with all major surgery it poses serious risks and side effects. To ensure that bariatric surgery is successful, permanent lifestyle changes to both diet and exercise are needed.

Who’s bariatric surgery for?

Bariatric surgery is not suitable for everybody. In most cases bariatric surgery is considered only after a patient has tried to lose weight by change in diet and exercise first. You are required to meet certain medical guidelines to be considered a candidate for weight loss surgery.

Have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher, suffering from extreme obesity. It is to be noted that BMI is only one factor used in considering a patient’s suitability for bariatric surgery.
Have a BMI above 35 (obese) but are also suffering from a serious health problem as a result of obesity, such as type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea or high blood pressure.

A/Prof Pilgrim will confirm your BMI score and carry out a detailed assessment before deciding if you are an eligible candidate for bariatric surgery. This will include asking questions about your medical history and being satisfied that you are motivated and will adhere to the new eating and exercise plans that you are required to follow post bariatric surgery.

Bariatric Surgery Procedures

At Upper Gastrointestinal Robotic Surgery Melbourne 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).

Lap Band Surgery (Gastric Band Surgery)

Lap band surgery involves inserting an adjustable silicone band (gastric band/LAP BAND®) around the upper part of the stomach. This band restricts the amount of food you consume by making you feel full sooner. The tightness of the band can be adjusted by injecting saline into it through an access port.

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Gastric Sleeve Surgery (Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy and Robotic Sleeve Gastrectomy)

Gastric sleeve surgery, also known as a sleeve gastrectomy or a vertical sleeve gastrectomy, involves removing approximately 80 percent of the stomach, leaving a tube-shaped stomach. This smaller stomach restricts the amount of food you consume, and also prompts hormonal changes that assist with weight loss.

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Bariatric Surgery Results

The amount of excess weight that you can expect to lose depends on the type of bariatric surgery and your individual commitment to change your eating and lifestyle habits. It is possible with a procedure such as a sleeve gastrectomy for a patient to lose half or even more of their excess body weight.

Bariatric surgery does not just result in excess weight loss when following guidance on lifestyle changes post surgery, but patients will also find that other weight related conditions such as sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure etc. will significantly ease or disappear completely.

UGIRS Bariatric Surgery Program

If you are considering weight loss surgery in Melbourne and believe that you are a suitable candidate, you should consider our Bariatric Surgery Program. A/Prof Pilgrim and his expert medical team provide care for patients right from the beginning of their journey, to their post-surgery aftercare and beyond.

Our program is designed to ensure that our patients are being looked after by the right person at the right time, to achieve optimal results. From your initial consultation with A/Prof Pilgrim, to your pre-surgery consultations with our Dietitian Lisa and our Health Coach Meredith, and our Perioperative team, to your post-surgery check-ups, and continued coaching sessions with Meredith.

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