What To Expect At Your First Weight Loss Surgery Consultation

Weight loss surgery, isn’t just about losing weight, it’s about changing your world. Obesity can lead to health concerns like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease and more.

At your weight loss surgery consultation, choosing the right weight loss procedure is the most important decision that you and your surgeon have to make. There are several factors to ensure that stomach surgery for weight loss is best for you.

The goal from your first visit with us is to educate you about your best choice. You will have the opportunity to discuss your current weight, history, related health concerns, eating habits, and obtaining information and advice from your surgeon.

Discuss the Different Types of Weight Loss Surgery Options

 There are a few options to consider for stomach surgery for weight loss and weight reduction surgery:

Lap Band Surgery

A few years ago, Lap band Surgery was the most common bariatric operation performed in Australia. It has gradually declined in use due to high long-term revision surgery and complication rates. However this procedure still plays a role for certain patients.

Gastric Bypass Surgery

Gastric bypass has been tried and tested for over 40 years. It’s a procedure where the stomach is partitioned to a smaller size and small bowel is re-routed to this new gastric pouch. In the banded gastric bypass a fixed silastic ring is placed around the gastric pouch.

Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Gastric Sleeve Surgery is a permanent irreversible procedure where a large portion of the stomach is removed. This effects the entire gastric system and how the body processes food.

It is a procedure which is done through keyhole surgery where the stomach is formed into a ‘narrow tube’ (or sleeve) and remainder of the stomach is removed.

SADI-S/SIPS Procedure

Single anastomosis duodeno-ileal switch (SADI-S) or Stomach Intestine Sparing Surgery – known as SIPS for short – is a procedure that involves a sleeve gastrectomy being performed along with surgery to reroute the small intestine.

SADI-S weight loss surgery produces malabsorption to effect weight loss. It also produces good control for diabetes – greater than 95% – and other obesity-related illnesses.

The SIPS procedure on the other hand is relatively new. The SIPS procedure is like the mini- gastric bypass version of the duodenal switch.

Revisional Conversion Bariatric Surgery

Revisional bariatric surgery is a procedure completed on patients who have already received a bariatric treatment previously and are thus undergoing revisional surgery to either alter the type of weight loss surgery – from a reversible procedure such as a Lap Band to a non-reversible procedure like a gastric sleeve.

Assessment of Health and Medical History

At your weight loss surgery consultation we will assess if you are a candidate for weight loss surgery based on an assessment of your medical history and current health and if you fulfil the following criteria based on medical indications:

 

Your Body Mass Index is equal to or greater than 40 kg/m² (calculate your Body Mass Index here).

OR

Your Body Mass Index is equal to or greater than 35 kg/m² with associated medical conditions such as but not limited to:

 

• • Type 2 diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • Sleep apnoea
  • Coronary artery disease
  • You have failed to permanently reduce your weight using nonsurgical methods
  • And other factors

 

If you meet these criteria and decide to undergo weight loss surgery in Perth to address weight loss, we would then discuss next steps.

 

Next steps / Pre-surgery tests and Appointments  

The best preparation for bariatric surgery is to understand the risks and potential benefits and to follow our recommended steps:

 

1. You will have weight and height measurements taken (to verify your current BMI).
2. Dr. Gounder will make the determination if you are a suitable candidate for weight loss surgery.

 

1. Dr. Gounder will explain the different surgery options and the risks and benefits of each. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and understand what is involved.
2. After you select the surgical procedure that you would like to have, you can sign the agreement and select your preferred surgery date.
3. Appointments for your pre-admission testing will be booked for you. These may include:
   1. Blood Tests
   2. Chest X-ray
   3. Electrocardiogram
   4. History and Physical Examination
   5. Pre-operative follow up

 

We empower our patients to consider all the medical facts about the risks and benefits of each weight loss procedure. We encourage you to talk to your GP and any other specialists that are involved in your care. And rest assured Dr. Siva Gounder is an experienced weight loss doctor in Perth and has extensive experience with all the procedures you are considering.

The first step is easy. Click here to book a consultation.

 

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