If you have struggled to achieve sustainable weight loss and meet certain health criteria, you may be a candidate for bariatric surgery. It’s always best to get specialist medical advice before proceeding with any weight loss procedure, even if you meet the surgery criteria.

Bariatric Surgery Criteria

At Perth Obesity Solutions, we want to help you achieve the best possible outcome from your weight loss surgery. As there is a range of procedures available, our surgeon Dr. Siva Sundararajan will advise which option will be most suitable for you.

Dr. Siva may recommend one of the following surgeries.

Gastric Bypass Surgery (Roux-en-Y Bypass or Mini Bypass).
Gastric Sleeve Surgery (Sleeve Gastrectomy).
Gastric Band Surgery (Lap Band).

You may be a candidate for one of these procedures if you meet the following criteria:

You have been unable to maintain your weight through lifestyle changes.
You do not consume excessive alcohol or recreational drugs.
You do not have any untreated mental health conditions that may impact your ability to follow your prescribed treatment plan.
You do not have any other health conditions that may cause weight gain.

Gastric Bypass Surgery

Aged between 18-55 years.
Meet the BMI requirements.
Have certain weight-related health conditions, such as Type 2 Diabetes.
Experiencing moderate to severe reflux symptoms.
Have ulcerative oesophagitis on gastroscope, oseophageal motility problems, or have Barrett’s oesophagus.
Have previously had a gastric band or sleeve
Eat large meals, refined foods, or snacks

Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Aged between 18-65 years.
Meet the BMI requirements.
Have certain weight-related health conditions, such as Type 2 Diabetes.
Experiencing minimal or no reflux symptoms.
Do not have Barrett’s oesophagus.
Have had previous major abdominal or pelvic surgery.
Eat large meals

Gastric Band Surgery

Aged between 18-65 years.
Meet the BMI requirements.
Have certain weight-related health conditions, such as Type 2 Diabetes.
Experiencing minimal or no reflux symptoms.
Eat large meals

It’s important to note these criteria should only be used as guidelines. A specialist bariatric surgeon will need to assess your current health to identify whether you are eligible for surgery.

BMI Guidelines

Your BMI or Body Mass Index is a number that represents the ratio between your height (in metres) and your weight (in kilograms). It can be used to identify whether you are under or overweight, or within a normal weight range.

With a higher BMI, you are at greater risk of developing illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and more. A BMI of 30 kg/m2 or more is generally considered to be a health concern and may make you eligible for surgery, depending on your personal situation.

If you fall within the following BMI ranges, you may be a candidate:
• A BMI greater than 40 kg/m2.
• A BMI between 35-40 kg/m2 along with weight-related illness.
• A BMI between 30-35 kg/m2 along with diabetes that is not adequately controlled with medications.

Calculate Your BMI

Below 18.5 – Underweight
18.5 – 24.9 – Normal
25.0 – 29.9 – Overweight
30.0 and above – Obese

Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle

There’s more to consider than just your physical health when it comes to bariatric surgery. You also need to be mentally ready to make lasting change in your life.

Your surgery is only the first step in your journey to better health. For your weight loss procedure to be effective, you need to change your relationship with food and maintain a healthy diet. You also need to incorporate physical activity into your routine and be consistent in your efforts.

Here at Perth Obesity Solutions, we take a holistic approach to sustainable weight loss. We will support you throughout every stage, providing you with dieticians, psychologists and fitness coaches who can guide you and help keep you on track.

Why Choose Perth Obesity Solutions

Convenient Consult Locations

We know how difficult it can be to make a trip across town for an appointment. This is why we offer 5 convenient consulting locations across the Greater Perth area.

First Consult is Bulk Billed

Taking the first step to undergo weight loss surgery is often difficult and scary. That’s why at Perth Obesity Solutions, we bulk bill your first appointment.

After Care For Your Lifestyle

Post weight loss surgery can often be an exciting, but overwhelming time for patients. Our team is here to offer support and care throughout your journey.

Expert Doctors

Dr. Siva is a qualified general and obesity surgeon who has undergone extensive training across Australia, the UK and Europe to bring the most up to date weight loss surgical procedures to his practice.

About Dr. Siva

Dr Siva is a qualified general and obesity surgeon who is committed to providing his patients with the best possible care. He has undertaken extensive training in the UK, Australia and Europe and was awarded the Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in 2016. Mentored by the world’s experts in bariatric surgery, he regularly performs a range of weight loss procedures throughout the Perth metropolitan area.

Bariatric Surgery FAQ’s

How successful are bariatric surgeries?

Expected weight loss in Gastric Bypass is about 70-80% of excess weight.
Expected weight loss in Gastric Sleeve (sleeve gastrectomy) is about 60-70% of excess weight.
Expected weight loss inGastric Banding (lap band) is about 40-50% of excess weight.

By following diet and exercise guidelines and maintaining a healthy lifestyle post-surgery, most patients will achieve a successful outcome with a much higher loss of weight than the figures listed above.

How do I prepare for surgery?

Dr Siva will perform a routine endoscopy to rule out any conditions that may impact your surgery.

You will need to complete blood tests to establish a nutritional baseline. If you have any deficiencies, these will need to be treated before surgery. Vitamin D and iron deficiencies are quite common.

If your BMI is greater than 40 kg/m², you will need to complete a sleep study to ensure our team can optimise your perioperative care.

Depending on your medical history, your heart and lung functions may also need to be evaluated.

Will my surgery be covered by Medicare or private health?

Even though bariatric surgery is recognised as the most durable and effective method for weight loss, unfortunately, it is not fully covered by Medicare.

If you have health insurance, your bariatric surgery may be covered, or you may need to increase your level of hospital cover to include weight loss procedures. We accept all private health funds, and most will cover around 75% of your total cost. There will still be a gap payment for all health funds.

Alternatively, you can access your superannuation fund or take out a loan through a medical finance institution to cover the cost of your surgery.

Is there a waiting period for surgery?

At Perth Obesity Solutions, you can generally be seen within 2 to 4 weeks, pending any waiting periods with your private health fund. As you will need to follow a pre-operative, low calorie diet for 2 weeks leading up to surgery, you will be unable to book your procedure in any earlier. If you have any other medical conditions that need to be investigated, you will likely be able to book your surgery in for 3 to 4 weeks after your initial consultation.

What diet do I need to follow after surgery?

After your weight loss surgery, you will need to follow a prescribed dietary plan. For the first two weeks, you will be placed on thin fluids before transitioning to pureed and soft foods. By week six, you will be able to return to a normal diet.

For the first three months, chicken, fish, and minced meat are generally better tolerated than tougher meats. You will need to avoid beef, pork, and lamb during this period.

Start Your Weight Loss Journey

If you would like to find out whether you’re a candidate for bariatric surgery, contact us today. We can book you in for an initial consultation where Dr Siva will recommend the most suitable course of action for your health needs.

You don’t need to have a referral to book your consult, but you will need to provide it to us before the day of your appointment. The more we can understand your personal situation, the better we can tailor a weight loss solution to you.

Eligibility for Surgery