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This depends on your circumstances. As a general guide, if you have a specific timeframe in mind, such as school holidays or a planned event, it is worth contacting the clinic two to three months in advance. For those who want to plan carefully around life commitments, beginning the conversation twelve months ahead is also a reasonable approach for some patients.

Loose skin is a possibility following significant weight loss, and it is something the team addresses openly. Exercise, particularly resistance training, is an important part of managing this as part of your overall journey.

Weight regain can occur over time and is most commonly associated with returning to old habits such as increased snacking, higher liquid calorie intake, or reduced activity levels. This is why the program includes ongoing follow-up, dietary support, and exercise guidance well beyond the operation itself. The goal is to help you build sustainable habits that protect your results long term.

Yes. Surgery and medication are not mutually exclusive. In many circumstances they are used together, and your care plan will be designed around what is most appropriate for your individual situation.

Several medication options exist, including GLP-1 agonists such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Saxenda; dual hormone therapies such as Mounjaro; and oral medications including Duromine and Orlistat. Medications are generally indicated for people with a BMI over 30, or a BMI over 27 with weight-related conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, or obstructive sleep apnoea. The right option depends on your health profile, goals, and what outcomes you are trying to achieve.

Resistance training is the most important form of exercise for preserving muscle mass and bone density during weight loss. The recommended approach is two to three sessions per week, focusing on compound movements at moderate effort. In the first three weeks after surgery, activity is kept very gentle, such as walking and light movement. A structured exercise plan is introduced from around the six-week mark.

Psychological support is not compulsory. The team tailors each patient’s care to their individual needs. Some patients benefit from seeing a psychologist before surgery, others after, and some at both stages. This is discussed and assessed as part of your personalised care plan.

The three priorities after bariatric surgery are protein, fluids, and vitamins. Your dietitian will support you through each stage of your nutritional progression, from fluids through to purées, soft foods, and eventually regular textures.

Difficulty with fluid intake is common in the early weeks following surgery and is a recognised part of the recovery process. The dietitian team will work with you to find alternatives that keep you adequately hydrated during this period.

Before surgery, patients follow a pre-operative diet using meal replacement products such as Optifast. The purpose is not primarily about weight loss. It is designed to reduce fat stored in the liver, which makes surgery safer and easier to perform. Your dietitian will guide you through this stage.

Bariatric surgery has a strong safety profile. Major complications occur in approximately 0.3% of cases, and the mortality risk is comparable to routine surgical procedures such as gallbladder surgery, at less than 0.04%.

Most patients spend one to two nights in the hospital, with a maximum of three nights in most cases.

Perth Weight Loss & Surgery offers several bariatric procedures, including sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass (Roux-en-Y), duodenal switch, and gastric band. The most appropriate option depends on your health profile, goals, and circumstances, and will be discussed in detail during your consultation with Dr Gounder.

Current guidelines recommend surgery for people with a BMI over 35, or a BMI over 30 with weight-related medical conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or sleep apnoea. Surgery may also be considered for individuals with a BMI between 30 and 34.9 who have not achieved meaningful or lasting results through non-surgical approaches. For people of Asian background, lower BMI thresholds apply. The best way to understand your eligibility is to book a consultation with Dr Gounder, who will assess your individual situation.

Both medication and bariatric surgery can be effective treatments. The right option depends on your health history, goals, and medical needs, which is why professional guidance is important.

Some people may begin to notice changes within the first few weeks of starting weight loss medication. However, meaningful and sustained weight loss usually develops gradually over several months as the medication works alongside lifestyle changes and medical support.

Many patients may lose around 10–15% of their body weight over time when using GLP-1 medications. Results can vary depending on the type of medication, dosage, lifestyle changes and individual health factors.

For the best outcomes, these medications are usually combined with nutritional guidance, physical activity and medical supervision to support sustainable weight management.

Obesity is recognised as a complex medical condition, not simply a lifestyle choice. While food intake and physical activity play a role, research shows many other factors influence body weight, including genetics, hormones, metabolism, stress and the modern food environment.

In Australia, around 60% of adults live with overweight or obesity, which highlights how widespread and complex this health condition is. Because of this, managing weight often requires more than dieting or exercising more. Medical guidance and the right support can help people find a safe and sustainable pathway for their health.

You can apply to your super fund with support from your GP and us to cover the out of pocket fees. Weight loss surgery is usually considered and approved by the super fund as it is an important treatment for obesity. Find out more information here.

Recovery timelines vary depending on your role. People in office-based jobs can typically return to work within ten days. Those in physically demanding roles, such as mine site work, are generally advised to wait around three weeks before returning.

There is no one best surgery. The best operation is determined based on multiple factors and is individualised. After the initial consult and assessing your health and risk factors an appropriate surgery will be determined.

Surgery is done with laparoscopic or key hole technique. The largest cut is usually only 15mm in size. Most patients have very tolerable pain that is well managed with analgesics.

In some cases, eating can be influenced by emotions, routine, or environment, not just physical hunger.

It’s not about being ‘good’ or ‘bad’. It’s about understanding what’s driving the behaviour.

Because behaviour is influenced by many factors, including habits, stress, and daily routines.

Weight can influence how the body regulates blood sugar, and in some cases, improvements in metabolic health may support better control. However, outcomes vary from person to person.

In some cases, people may experience significant improvement, but this depends on many factors. It’s best understood as managing and improving metabolic health over time.

Because hormones, metabolism, and insulin resistance can all influence how the body stores and uses energy.