Consider Weight Loss Surgery in Melbourne for Improved Health and Quality of Life


Weight loss surgery in Melbourne is not simply for reducing your weight. The treatment can alleviate, reduce or eliminate several severe health conditions such as diabetes and sleep apnoea. In addition, it can also provide joint pain relief, enhance mood and social interaction, and improve cardiovascular health and fertility.


What is obesity?

Obesity is a condition that is associated with having excess body fat, defined by genetic and environmental factors that are difficult to control when dieting. This can be classed using a body mass index measurement (BMI) which is dividing a person’s weight in by their height in metres squared. A BMI ≥ 30 is considered obese.


Calculate your BMI below:

Your BMI is

BMI Guidelines

  • ​​BMI 18.5 to 24.9:​Healthy
  • ​​BMI 25 to 29.9:​Overweight
  • ​​BMI 30 to 34.9: ​Obese (class 1)
  • BMI 35 to 39.9:​Severely Obese (Class 2)
  • BMI 40 to 49.9: ​Morbidly Obese (Class 3)
  • BMI ≥ 50: ​​Super Obese (Class 3)

 

  • Waist circumference risk:
  • Asians: 90cm (male) or 80cm (female)
  • Caucasians: 102cm(male) or 88cm (female)

 


Why Medical Obesity Treatment?

Obesity is a condition associated with having excess body fat, defined by genetic and environmental factors that are difficult to control when dieting.

Why is obesity a problem?

Numerous medical disorders are associated with obesity, including an increased risk of certain cancers. Being morbidly overweight is further associated with diabetes, obstructive sleep apnoea, cardiovascular disease (coronary heart disease, stroke and hypertension), musculoskeletal disorders (osteoarthritis, spinal disc disorders, back pain), and gastroesophageal reflux disease and gallstones. Obesity shortens lifespan, limits quality of life and can result in alienation and isolation for sufferers and their families, causing distress. In addition, the associated health risk places undue pressure on social and healthcare resources.

What is obesity surgery in Melbourne?

This can be a procedure to remove part of the stomach (sleeve gastrectomy), reduce the size of the stomach with an adjustable band (gastric band surgery) or remove part of the stomach and reroute the small bowel to a small stomach pouch (gastric bypass surgery). These three surgeries are the primary surgical options for weight loss surgery.

Which of these weight loss procedures is right for you?

Answering this crucial question requires an in-depth consultation with your medical professional. First, they will discuss these weight-loss surgeries’ risks and potential complications. Then they will make a joint decision with you to see if you should consider weight loss surgery. Next, they will discuss which procedure – the laparoscopic gastric band, sleeve gastrectomy, or gastric bypass, would be the best choice for you.

Unfortunately, Australia has one of the highest rates of obesity in the developed world. A publication in the Australian Family Physician magazine in 2013 predicted that close to 80 percent of our people would be obese by 2025. Indeed, as of 2022, over seven and a half million Australian adults – 29 percent of the adult population, are considered obese. Read on if you think this might be you or someone you know.

Do You Need Obesity Treatment Surgery?

Obesity is classed using a body mass index measurement (BMI). It is calculated by dividing a person’s weight by their height in metres squared. To understand whether you may be a good candidate for obesity surgery, consider the following:

Calculate your BMI

For example, if your weight is 91 kilograms and your height is 1.73 metres, your BMI is 30.4. Within the range from a healthy 18.5 upwards, a BMI of 30 or above is considered obese. Accepted guidelines classify a healthy BMI as from 18.5 to 24.9, with a low health risk, overweight from 25 to 29.9, with moderate health risk and four classes of obesity with a high health risk: obese (30-34.9), severely obese (35 to 39.9), morbidly obese (40 to 49.9), and super obese (50 plus).

Measure your waist circumference

Another metric indicating your risk is your waist circumference. Typically, your waist should measure 90 and 80 centimetres for Asian males and females and 102 and 88 centimetres for Caucasian males and females. Should your waist circumference exceed these recommendations, you may be at higher risk for weight-related diseases.

Understand whether you may qualify

Those with a BMI of 35 plus, who also suffer from significant health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoarthritis or obstructive sleep apnoea, and everyone with a BMI of 40 plus, should consider and may qualify for bariatric surgery in Melbourne. In addition, you need to be aged 18-65 years, with no psychiatric or drug dependency problems and a capacity to understand the risks and commitment associated with surgery.

Most weight-loss surgery patients have tried some form of behaviour modification with limited success, including engaging in a weight loss support group, changing eating habits, dietary education, or increasing exercise. However, sustained weight loss over a prolonged period is challenging. Ultimately, the most successful method of achieving this for most may be with weight loss surgery.

Why Contact Victorian Specialist Surgery (VSS) & Weight Loss Centre?

It is essential to meet and discuss your goals with a trained professional to understand the impact of choosing surgery for weight loss. Our director and surgeon, Mr Niruben Rajasagaram, is highly qualified and in a position to advise you. For your peace of mind, he is a consultant specialist weight-loss and general surgeon with comprehensive experience in advanced endoscopy and laparoscopic surgery.

At VSS Weight Loss Centre, we aim to reduce central obesity and its associated modifiable risk factors resulting in an improvement in your cardiovascular disease, diabetes, sleep apnoea, osteoarthritis, and other obesity-associated conditions. These changes align with most patients’ perception of weight loss surgery to improve or resolve co-morbidities and achieve a better quality of life with improved fitness and body image.

Weight loss surgery is not entirely covered under Medicare. However, it can be offered with private health insurance or self-funded weight loss surgery. We accommodate all applicants. In addition, to help ensure your recovery, well-being and success, we also provide experienced accredited dietician support and guidance from our Bariatric Life Coach.

So, decide to stop struggling with the challenges and potential stigma of obesity today. Book a consultation online to assess your need for affordable elective surgery or contact us with any questions.