Current local and international guidelines suggest that bariatric surgery is appropriate if you have a BMI >30 and a metabolic disease. If your BMI is >35 then surgery can be performed without a metabolic disease. Patients from certain ethnic groups can have surgery at a threshold 2.5 BMI points lower than the general population. Surgery can be considered in patients with a BMI between 30-35 who have been unable to achieve weight control with medical weight loss therapies. More information about surgery eligibility can be found here.

During your initial consultation a comprehensive health assessment will be performed. The information gathered will allow us to recommend suitable surgical options. Many patients have the option of either a Gastric Sleeve or a Gastric Bypass, and we will help you make this decision taking in to account your health conditions and any unique circumstances you may have.

Dietary restrictions are present for the first 6 weeks after surgery while the stomach is healing. After this time period, most people are able to eat the same food as people who have not had surgery. The quantity of food you will be able to eat, and the speed at which you can eat will be reduced after surgery. Education provided by your dietitian will help you to choose food types that best meet your nutritional requirements for optimum health after bariatric surgery.

In short, we do not offer this procedure at Cairns Surgery. While some patients choose this option with other providers, unfortunately most patients regain most of the weight lost within months to a couple of years after the balloon is removed or deflates. We feel that this is only a short term solution and it doesn’t adequately address the long term nature of obesity. Furthermore, the cost of this procedure (around $7000, and no Medicare or insurance rebates apply) is disproportionately high to the very limited time that the weight loss can be maintained. While the intragastic balloon is widely marketed as a less-invasive, non-surgical option, there have been reports of patients suffering major complications from the balloon requiring emergency abdominal surgery.

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding has been discontinued by most Bariatric Surgeons in Australasia in the last 5-10 years due to the long term complication profile and poor weight loss outcomes. We offer gastric band removal procedures.

ANZMOSS, the society for bariatric surgeons in Australia and New Zealand advises that bariatric surgery can be offered to patients as young as 14 years old. However, patients between 14-18 years old require a more intensive selection criteria, more support before and after surgery, and slightly different care in hospital and therefore should have surgery done in specialist tertiary centres. Consultations are available at Cairns Surgery for patients that are 17 years old and we offer surgery to patients above the age of 18.

While there is no upper age limit for surgery, the combination of advanced age and certain health conditions may make some older patients unsuitable. We are happy to see patients of any age in the clinic to discuss whether surgery is appropriate in your particular situation.

After significant weight loss, you may have excess skin. It is very difficult to predict the amount of excess skin, where on the body it will be, and to what degree this will affect activities of daily living for an individual patient after having Weight Loss Surgery. The decision whether to have the excess skin removed by plastic surgery is individual to each patient. Most excess skin removal procedures happen in the private health sector as funding for this in the public health system is very limited.

Yes, you can get pregnant after weight loss surgery. It is usually recommended to wait at least 12-18 months for your weight to stabilise before getting pregnant. Having a lower more normal body weight generally improves both natural fertility and the success rates for IVF.

Yes, most people will need to take nutritional supplements for life after weight loss surgery to prevent nutrient deficiencies. It is recommended that your blood nutrient levels are monitored at least annually (more frequent if very deficient) lifelong by either a bariatric dietitian or your GP after weight loss surgery.

Yes, it's possible to regain some weight after surgery. It is considered normal for there to be about a 5% difference between the very lowest weight surgery achieves at 12-18 months and your long term maintenance weight thereafter.

The amount of weight regain someone may experience is difficult to predict and is under the influence of many factors - diet, exercise, sleep patterns, hormones, and medications to name a few. Many people find that with healthy eating and regular physical activity, they can maintain their weight loss long term.

Some thinning of the hair is reported relatively commonly by patients experiencing rapid weight loss. This is most commonly noticed 3-6 months after surgery. In most cases hair growth will return to normal once your weight weight stabilises.

Most private health funds only cover Weight Loss Surgery for patients that have held Top / Gold level cover for at least 12 months. If you are unsure about your insurance coverage, please see our Fees page to obtain the MBS item numbers for Weight Loss Surgery procedures and check with your health fund whether you are eligible.

Yes, there is a process for early release of Super funds to pay for Weight Loss Surgery. Click here for more information about the process.

The gastric staples are permanent and do no need to be removed. They are safe with MRI scanners and are too small to be detected by airport security systems.

It is extremely uncommon for Gastric Bypass to need to be reversed, but possible if needed. Sleeve Gastrectomy is irreversible but can be revised to a Gastric Bypass if needed.