A laparoscopic operation (a type of keyhole surgery) is an operation where access into the peritoneal cavity of the abdomen is via minimally invasive techniques so that the abdominal organs and structures are operated on via visualisation on a TV screen. A sleeve gastrectomy, also known as a tube gastrectomy, is an operation where a portion of the stomach is removed to make the stomach smaller.

No, it is not. The laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is by far the most common primary weight loss operation (where one has not previously had weight loss surgery) that is performed in each state in Australia. However, in certain situations this is not the operation for you. Alternatives include various types of gastric bypass surgery. If you are not a suitable candidate for a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, Dr Valibhoy will work with other surgeons to ensure you have the appropriate gastric bypass surgery, should you decide to proceed to surgery.

A laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy takes about one hour to complete and usually involves a two-night stay in hospital. Laparoscopic surgery has resulted in faster recovery times. Most patients are walking around the wards the morning after surgery. Any pain associated with the incisions is usually mild and easily managed. Generally, patients are given 10 days off work and should avoid heavy lifting for 6 weeks after the surgery. Otherwise moving about as soon as it is safe to do so after the surgery, is actually encouraged to avoid complications.

Patients would generally need to go on a very low calorie diet (VLCD) for 2 to 4 weeks prior to surgery. This starts your weight loss journey. In addition, this reduces the size of your liver. A larger liver can make the operation more complicated.

Follow-up with our team is an important part of the process of obtaining a good result. In the first year, follow up appointments with us are at about 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 18 months and 2 years post-surgery. After this, annual follow up is recommended and eventually this follow up can be transferred to your family doctor. It is very important to have follow up blood tests. These tests include measurements of certain vitamin levels in your body and are used to ensure that you are getting the vitamins and nutrients you need. We want you to not just lose a certain number of kilogrammes; this weight loss has to go hand in hand with giving you health.

Medicare covers obesity surgery through the public health system. However, there is a long waitlist. If you have a certain level of private health cover, Medicare and your health fund will cover a portion of the surgery but you will still incur out of pocket costs. If you do not have private health cover, we can advise on options.

Please feel free to give us a phone call on 9324 2175 and a friendly voice will assist you to make an appointment to see Dr Valibhoy. You will need a referral from your family doctor before your appointment date so that you can obtain the Medicare rebate. Dr Valibhoy will encourage you to not make a definite decision on whether you wish to proceed to weight loss surgery at that first consultation but rather, consider the consultation and let us then know at a later date how you wish to proceed. Weight loss surgery is a major life changing event and we want you to consider the new lifestyle that this will confer on you.