How to find the Best Melbourne Weight Loss Surgeon for you
Here are some useful tips that can help you find the right obesity surgeon or bariatric surgeon.
1. Ask Around – Get Referrals from Your Friends and Medical Advisers
The right way to start a shortlist of potential weight loss surgeons is by asking your friends, family, and Health Professionals – your GP is a great resource and also knows your health history.
You may be surprised at how many people within your circle or extended circle have undergone a weight-loss surgical procedure that helped them. They can help you find the right bariatric surgeon and will also help guide you through the procedure and recovery. It is a great place to start.
2. Look at the surgeon’s Before & After Photos for inspiration
Now that you have shortlisted your top obesity surgeons, it’s time to look at their before and after photographs of the patients. You can typically find them on the surgeon’s site. You can also ask to see them during the consultation.
3. Research your Surgeon’s Credentials
Before going in for a consultation, research the credentials of your surgeon. Look for their academic background, learn more about their training experiences. Find out which are their best procedures and their level of expertise. Do a thorough background check on them and watch their videos. Luckily, the web can help you can do complete research on a surgeon with the help of our mobile phones. So, take advantage of that and do your homework.
4. Consider your Bariatric Surgeon’s Level of Experience
It goes hand in hand with the first point. Experience matters. Someone with 10 years of experience will automatically be more trusted than someone who has just started.
5. Research the Quality and Backup Support of your Hospital Facility
Next to the surgeon, the second most important factor to consider is the facility. The hospital facility you choose must be well equipped and must be able to handle any kind of emergency situation. Consider if acute care may be required during your stay, does the facility have an acute care or intensive care ward. During the consultation, ask your surgeon about the facility.
6. Find a Weight Loss Surgeon you are comfortable With
Trust your gut. If you prefer one gender over the other, go ahead with your choice. If you have gone to consultation with three different surgeons and your heart is fixed on one, go with that one. The key is to feel completely comfortable with the surgeon and their team. Find someone you trust to look after you now and in the future.
7. Finances – Know What Your Health Insurance Covers
You’ll need to know about your level of private health insurance cover in advance so you can make adequate financial arrangements. Who can help pay for your bariatric surgery?
Not all health insurance providers will cover your weight loss surgery, so it is better to be prepared in advance. Bariatric surgery may need a higher level of coverage (Gold level), or you may not have any private health cover, but could draw from your super fund or work out a payment plan directly with a medical finance company.
It is not recommended to be completely uninsured when having baristric surgery – you may end up with an expensive hospital bill if you have a complication. Consider getting private health and wait out the year before you are adequately covered or financed – save your way to surgery!
This pre-year preparation is very useful for you to work through planning for the surgery, improving your lifestyle or diet choices, and really working through preparing yourself both physically and emotionally. Work closely with your GP to initiate a healthy lifestyle plan and improve any underlying health issues.
Good surgeons are like a meal in a good restaurant, you wouldn’t want to eat in an empty restaurant where nobody else eats, the best food is found in places that are booked well in advance, similarly, good surgeons will have a waitlist for appointments and another waitlist for surgical bookings. If you have a specific date in mind for surgery aim to consult at least 3 to 6 months prior but bear in mind holiday times are exceptionally popular for surgical bookings.
Who are some of the top weight loss surgeons in Melbourne?
Dr Carmen’s Recommendations for the Best Weight Loss Surgeon in Melbourne & Victoria for your Obesity Weight Loss Surgery
Dr Ahmed Aly – Advanced Surgical – Bulleen
Dr Ahmad Aly is both a General Surgeon and Specialist Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeon. Along with that, he serves as a senior lecturer and researcher with Melbourne University. He is also an esteemed member of ANZGOSA and ANZMOSS He is a famous Weight Loss Surgeon having been on several TV shows about Obesity Surgery.
Dr Kiat Lim – Advanced Surgical – Bulleen
Dr Kiat Lim, MBBS, FRACS, MSurg, is a General Surgeon with sub-specialised training in Upper Gastrointestinal and Weight Loss surgery. Dr Lim completed of his Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery at Monash University and Advanced Surgical Training at Austin Hospital. Post Fellowship in General Surgery, Kiat pursued sub-specialty training and was one of the few pioneering trainees accredited by Australia and New Zealand Gastro-Oesophageal Surgery Association (ANZGOSA). Dr Lim undertook a higher degree by research and thesis (Master of Surgery). Dr Lim is well presented and well published in peer review journals internationally.
Dr Kiron Bhatia – HWLS – Heidelberg Weight Loss Surgery – Heidelberg
Dr Kiron Bhatia is a specialist upper gastrointestinal and bariatric surgeon. He is also a founding member of ANZMOSS, IFSO and ANZGOSA. Dr Bhatia completed his surgical training at St Vincents Hospital.
He is primarily known for his adjustable gastric banding, gastric bypass, mini gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy procedures and has transformed the bodies of many people. Along with a pool of happy clients across the globe, he is highly invested in research and academics and is constantly trying to better management protocols and research tools.
Heidelberg Weight Loss Surgery Website
Prof Wendy Brown – CBS – Centre for Bariatric Surgery – Glen Iris
Prof. Wendy Brown is the first woman who has been appointed as Chair of the Monash University Department of Surgery. She also serves as a director of CORE as well as a clinical lead of the National Bariatric Surgery Registry and the Victorian Upper GI Cancer Registry.
Her prime focus is on the management of chronic obesity and the effects of weight loss on overall health and quality of life. She has also published over 60 peer-reviewed journals. She has also spoken in over 70 different conferences.
Centre for Bariatric Solutions Website – Glen Iris & 4 locations
Assoc Prof Gary Crosthwaite – Richmond
Dr Gary Crosthwaite is a successful Upper Gastrointestinal and Cancer surgeon. His specialities include Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer, Gastric Reflux Conditions, Oesophageal Achalasia and iatal Hernia, Upper Gastrointestinal Disease, and Gallbladder Disease. He is a pioneer of various new laparoscopic techniques.
The most recent technique which he has introduced is POEM (Per-oral Endoscopic Myotomy). All in all, he is one of the best weight loss surgeons around the world for all of you considering weight loss surgery.
Assoc Prof Gary Crosthwaite Website
Dr Arun Dhir – MGS – Bundoora / Knox
Dr Arun Dhir is a renowned Gastrointestinal and Weight Loss Surgeon, Author, Keynote Speaker, Yoga and Meditation Teacher along with being a Founder Radical Wellness Programme. He has a special interest in wellness and believes in the power of healthy living. His passion has lead him to write several books which have transformed the life of many. He believes in providing a holistic and comprehensive solution to excess weight – not just having bariatric surgery.
Melbourne Gastro Surgery Website and Dr Arun Dhir Website
Dr Jason Winnett – Winnett Specialist Group – Western Suburbs
Dr Jason Winnett is a general, laparoscopic and upper gastrointestinal surgeon. He is a founder of The Winnett Specialist Group. His areas of specialties include The LAP-BAND® System / Gastric Banding Procedure, Orbera Intragastric balloon, Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty, Upper GI Surgery, Hepatobiliary Surgery, Colorectal Surgery and Vasectomy Surgery.
Winnett Specialist Group Website – 4 locations
Dr Anthony Clough – Melbourne Centre for Bariatric Surgery – Melb
Dr Anthony Clough is a specialist weight loss surgeon and is trained in multiple aspects of gastrointestinal and hernia surgery. He is also one of the first ones to offer SADI or SIPS variation to his patients in Melbourne in Regional Vic.
Dr Anthony Clough Website – Melbourne
Dr Patrick Moore – North Eastern Weight Loss Surgery – Box Hill
Dr Patrick Moore has 20 years of experience in helping clients achieve their weight loss goal. He has successfully performed over 2100 weight loss surgeries and was the first one to introduce gastric sleeve surgery into the hospitals of Victoria. He often accepts patients who have a more complex history or higher surgical risk.
North Eastern Weight Loss Surgery Website – Box Hill
Dr Michael Hii – MGOS – Eastern Suburbs
Dr. Michael Hii is an Oesophago-Gastric and Bariatric (weight loss) surgeon. He works as a consultant at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne and the Royal Melbourne Hospital and also holds honorary appointments at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (VCCC) and Eastern Health.
Dr Michael completed medical school at the University of Melbourne and then surgical training at St Vincent’s Hospital and Eastern Health. He was awarded his surgical fellowship in 2009 and underwent subspecialty training in Melbourne and Brisbane. Dr. Hii’s clinical areas of interest include the treatment of oesophageal and gastric cancer, hiatus hernia repair, anti-reflux surgery, surgery for achalasia and obesity surgery (including gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy and revision procedures).
MGOS Website – East Melbourne, Werribee, Bendigo
Dr Selena Ward – MGOS – Eastern Suburbs
Dr Ward operates privately for major surgeries at Epworth Eastern Private Hospital in Box Hill and St Vincent’s Private Hospital in Fitzroy. She believes in thorough patient consultation, aims to provide timely, comfortable and efficient service to patients in operative and non-operative care, and keeps the patient and their doctors fully informed at all stages of care”.
MGOS Website – Box Hill North, Bundoora, Fitzroy, and Ringwood East.
Dr Adam Skidmore – VOSC – Victorian Obesity Surgery Clinic – Heidelberg
Dr Adam Skidmore is known for upper Gastrointestinal Surgery, weight loss and metabolic surgeries around the globe. He got is training in UK and Australia and travelled extensively to work with patients from different ethnicities.
Victorian Obesity Surgery Clinic Website – Heidelberg
Dr Andrew Skinner – CBS – Centre for Bariatric Solutions – Glen Iris
Dr Andrew Skinner is an experienced GI surgeon and has been practicing since the year 1997. Apart from being an accomplished surgeon, he is also a lecturer at the department of surgery in Monash Medical School. Dr Skinner’s is known for his gastrointestinal surgery. He has been an esteemed member of Centre for Bariatric Solutions since the year 1998 and has many years of experience under his sleeve.
Centre for Bariatric Solutions Website – Glen Iris and 4 locations
REGIONAL VICTORIA
Dr Adam Cichowitz – North Eastern Surgery – Albury & Wangaratta
Dr Adam Cichowitz graduated in first-class from University of Melbourne. After that, he completed 7 years of surgical training and became an esteemed member of FRACS. He further gained specialist training in advanced laparoscopic (keyhole), upper gastrointestinal and obesity surgery. He offers a complete range of surgical procedures with a prime focus on laparoscopic anti-reflux, obesity and hernia surgery, breast surgery, and endoscopy.
His extensive interest in research along with a pool of satisfied clients makes him one of the best weight loss surgeons.
Dr Douraid Abbas – Ballarat Bariatrics – Ballarat and Werribee
Dr Douraid Abbas is a specialist surgeon, whose holistic approach to treatment and care ensures every patient receives the highest quality service in Western Victoria.
Dr Abbas specialises in the fields of bariatric (weight loss) surgery, endoscopy, and general surgical procedures. He has worked across Australia, gaining experience and enhancing his skills to become one of the most respected obesity surgeons in regional Victoria.
PLASTIC SURGERY FOR EXCESS SKIN REMOVAL
Plastic Surgery For Excess Skin Removal after Weightloss
After having bariatric surgery with your weight loss surgeon, you will probably need to see a Specialist Plastic Surgeon that is an expert in excess skin reduction.
After bariatric surgery, the weight resulting from excess fat, is lost but leaves behind droopy, sagging skin or skin folds. Often the skin is stretched and in poor condition. Weight Loss Patients are usually in need of a body lift, arm lift or thigh lift to reduce the excess skin.
Many patients come to see Melbourne Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Carmen Munteanu after losing a significant amount of weight. She is a specialist in her field and has a passion for helping her clients achieve the body shape they are looking for.
She spends a great deal of time getting to know her patients, during her initial consultation she gives plenty of time to understand what the potential client is looking for and is clear in what can be offered.
It is important to choose a surgeon who really ‘gets you’ and understands your vision. To get the optimal result your body needs to be ready for surgery both physically and mentally.
Dr Carmen is gentle and very open to frank conversations regarding what is really happening in your life and what your areas of concern are.
Post Weight Loss FAQs to ask yourself when considering Body Lift Surgery after losing the weight
You are not alone in seeking corrective surgery post weight loss surgery, unfortunately, in most cases, the excess skin does not ‘snap back’ after diet and exercise. This leaves many people disappointed that they still are not able to live their life as fully as they had hoped. Overfolds of skin and tissue can be difficult to disguise, making you look much bigger than your actual body size and shape. Many patients have questions about future surgery – here are the post-weight loss FAQs.
How excess skin after weight loss can impact your life
All that excess skin can also limit your lifestyle. Excess arm skin presents problems with finding suitable tops to wear. Excess stomach or chest skin can become sore and risks infections without careful management. Excess leg skin causes unpleasant and sometimes painful rashes.
Download Dr Carmen’s Guide to Excess Skin Reduction
Post Weight Loss FAQs to consider before having post Weight Loss Surgery like Body Lift
- What underlying health conditions do you have?
- Are they currently well managed?
- Do you see any other doctors other than your GP?
- What other surgeries have you had in the past?
- Have you achieved your projected goal weight?
- Has your current weight remained stable for the last 3 Months?
- Do you still feel heavy even though the weight has gone?
- Are you feeling fulfilled in your life?
- Are there any issues you need to address prior to committing to surgery?
- Are you struggling to fit into standard size clothes??
- Is your excess skin stopping you from really connecting with life in the way that you had hoped?
Body contouring surgery can provide help to both men and women, please do not suffer in silence accepting less than the best for your life.
Consult a Specialist Plastic Surgeon about your Body Lift options
Dr Carmen is a female plastic surgeon, and as such she is open, honest and forthright. Your initial consultation will give you plenty of time to explore your individual needs. The more honest you are about your needs the better suited the end result will be.
How much Body Surgery do you need?
The choice is entirely yours to make. You may wish to treat a little or a lot or even plan for a gradual surgical plan, opting to book for separate specific surgeries within a specific timeline. It is vital to take ownership of this journey what areas do you feel need to be improved.
Once the planned surgery has achieved your goal it is important to use that improvement to your life in positive ways further connecting with an active lifestyle. This will result in other areas of your body also improving as you naturally become more engaged in your life.
If in the future further surgery is needed come back for further consultations to discuss other areas of concern for you.
Which Body Lift Surgery is most important to you?
Spend time really looking at your body, try on different outfits, different styles. Do they flatter your shape? How do you feel??
Be honest with yourself. How do you really feel!! It is very easy to slip into the old ways of ‘putting a brave face on’ brushing off your needs. This is about you and nobody else this is not a time to think of other’s needs, this is where you need to be honest and promote your needs.
Rather than feeling negative, think positively. Find something that you are happy with focus on that now think if there was one thing, I would like to improve what would it be and how easy would it be to achieve?
Which Body Lift Surgery is the highest priority for you?
Ask yourself the money question – if I had the money available to invest in me – what ONE thing would I change and why.
You may think – many things. But think of that one thing that would really enhance your life allowing you to connect with life perhaps feeling great about going to the pool, a holiday, family occasion, wearing short sleeve tops, trousers that fit both your waist and thighs, perhaps breasts that sit where they are supposed to be.
Many areas might benefit from surgery but what one thing would mean the most to you?
Take your time there is no rush, make sure you are clear in what you need to achieve. It is Ok to seek a consult and spend time reviewing your options. A skilled surgeon can offer lots of options but is important to find a surgeon who really connects with you and supports the vision that you are aiming to achieve.
Why patients choose to have Post-Weight Loss Surgery
Life is meant to be lived and enjoyed not just endured. There is no point living an unhappy life with limitations If you have the wish and ability to change yours for the better then what are you waiting for!
Although age is important in speedy wound healing, body contour surgery is not something that cannot be considered at any age.
For many people that initial weight loss is only part of the journey to the you that you always wanted to be.
Now the excess weight is gone are you engaged in your life? Enjoying physical activities. Looking for opportunities to connect with life?
How much is Post Weight Loss Plastic Surgery?
Corrective post-weight loss surgery can be expensive depending on how much excess skin needs to be removed. It can completely change your whole body or maybe just improve a small part. Take the time to really think about what you need. At your consultation, you will receive a personalised quote.
For more information about pricing visit Body Lift Pricing and Payment Plans.
