Working in conjunction with an extended team of psychologists, dieticians, and highly regarded specialist physicians, Central Coast Surgery provides bariatric surgery for individuals with specific risk factors including a high body mass index (BMI) or other medical conditions such as anaemia.
Gastric sleeve surgery is a type of laparoscopic surgery involves a process of removing a large portion of the stomach, leaving behind a small stomach pouch or “sleeve” for digestion.
In most cases, patients' stomach will be two thirds smaller than pre-surgery – although, results and how much stomach removal takes place will always depend and vary from patient to patient.
Gastric Sleeve Surgery Newcastle is a commonly practised bariatric surgery for those suffering from obesity. Performed laparoscopically by highly esteemed surgeon Dr. Kenneth Wong; small incisions are made to the abdomen, ensuring fast recovery, a simple healing process and minimal scarring. Typically, in a public or private hospital, patients will be placed under general anaesthetic before the laparoscope. Then, several other specialist surgical instruments are passed through the small incisions to perform keyhole surgery. In addition to the removal of a large portion of the stomach, the procedure also necessitates the removal of the part of the stomach that produces ghrelin (the hormone that boosts hunger and appetite).
Surgeons will then remove a portion of the stomach, to leave the remaining pouch sealed with surgical staples. The end result is a smaller stomach, leaving patients consuming smaller amounts of food before experiencing the feeling of fullness. With a relatively short private hospital recovery, our weight loss surgery patients will be able to carry on with usual activities in a matter of weeks.
As minimally invasive bariatric surgery procedure, this type of laparoscopic operation is both an irreversible and permanent obesity procedure. Unlike with gastric bypass surgery, a gastrectomy cannot be reversed. While every bariatric surgery comes with risks to the patient, a gastrectomy is one of the safest procedures performed in Australia. Furthermore, our resident Central Coast specialist surgeons, including Dr Ken Wong, are at the forefront of advanced weight loss surgery in Australia. Further information on Dr Ken Wong and his credentials can be found on our practice website.
Comprehensive pre and post operative support is an essential service provided by Dr. Ken Wong and the Central Coast Surgery team. Post operative education for all of our sleeve gastrectomy procedures mean that you will not need to rely on only support groups for information and pre and post care procedures.
Gastric Sleeve surgery may be a suitable weight loss option for individuals with body mass index (BMI) of 40+ or a BMI of 35+ for those with an obesity-related disease.
Bariatric procedures have also been proven to be highly effective in improving and managing obesity-related health conditions like back pain, sleep apnoea, hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, and depression. Surgical intervention can support physical weight loss along with eliminating many medical problems often associated with obesity.
The total weight a patient loses after weight-loss surgery depends on several factors, such as the following:
However, gastric sleeve surgery is one of the most effective weight-loss surgeries to be performed in public and private hospitals and clinics in Australia.
If you’re considering bariatric surgery such as gastric bypass, sleeve, or banding, then contact with the team at Central Coast Surgery to discuss your long term options for weight loss. High levels of obesity put individuals at a much greater risk of being affected by life-threatening conditions (for example: heart disease, strokes, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and some forms of cancer). So, patients with morbid obesity (and a BMI of 35 or higher) are considered suitable candidates for laparoscopic surgical intervention.
Medicare will generally cover some of the costs if the patient qualifies their obesity guidelines. Eligibility obesity criteria are based mainly on BMI and the presence of obesity-related complications and health conditions. To be eligible, patients should typically have a BMI of at least 40 (this translates to being overweight by 45 kilograms or more) or 30 (13.5 kilograms overweight) and suffer from at least one obesity-related health concern that is severe and co-morbid. For more information on Medicare rebates in Australia, head to their website for obesity procedures information.
Obesity surgery is ideally targeted at patients with morbid obesity, diabetes and metabolic syndrome because of the enormous benefit derived by treatment and the large risk of premature mortality engendered by these obesity-related diseases.
Weight loss surgery may be a potential route for you if you have already attempted numerous weight loss ventures without long term success. This type of obesity surgery can reduce your weight to a safe level and help you in maintaining a lower weight through decreased eating. However, obesity surgery is not designed for people who simply want to lose a small amount of weight or sculpt a certain area of their body. Our sleeve gastrectomy NSW procedures only work with patients who are willing to make life-long commitments to living a healthier, more balanced lifestyle.
Gastric Sleeve Surgery or a sleeve gastrectomy can dramatically improve the individual’s overall health and quality of life.
Patients who undergo Gastric Sleeve Surgery see an average weight loss of 47% to 80% of their excess weight which in-turn dramatically reduces their chance of lifestyle disease such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and sees a dramatic improvement to overall health.
Some of the most important benefits that come from undergoing gastric sleeve surgery, include:
It’s important to remember that gastric sleeve surgery is not a ‘cure’ for obesity, but rather a procedure that can kick-start lifestyle changes that include exercise and diet habits.
Before your weight loss procedure, Central Coast Surgery’s clinic will do everything in our power to prepare you for surgery. You will consult with your bariatric surgeon, a physician, a dietician, and a dedicated psychologist to make sure you are ready and informed for your bariatric surgery.
We routinely perform blood tests on all patients before Newcastle obesity surgery, to test:
Before your procedure, we may also arrange a chest X-ray or ECG, depending on your medical history or potential risks.
To prepare for the procedure, patients may also need to lose weight, start exercising or change their diet to prepare for the Newcastle obesity surgery procedure. Changing food and exercise behaviours before the procedure will help the patient to grow accustomed to living a healthier lifestyle before the dramatic obesity surgery. We recommend changing the groceries in your household in the coming weeks before your procedure to ensure you are not tempted by unhealthy and processed foods.
If you’re a smoker, you will be advised to quit smoking before your procedure. Stopping smoking and nicotine consumption can speed up your recovery and reduce your chances of post-operation complications. In many cases, a bariatric surgeon may refuse to operate on you until you have stopped smoking.
During your many consultations with our weight loss clinicians, your doctor will go over the specific pre-operative obesity surgery instructions including of any changes you need to make to medicines and diet. Generally, obesity surgery patients will be required to:
You can also prepare for your procedure by being organised. Make a list of all of the items you will need to take into public or private hospital for your obesity surgery and prepare for the post-operative healing process. Make sure you have loose and comfortable “transition” clothes – your body will be sore and tender after your procedure, and the weight loss after gastric sleeve can be dramatic. You can also prep your home, meals, medications and sleeping arrangements for post-operative care.
The cost of gastric sleeve surgery will depend on whether or not the patient has private health insurance.
For patients with private health insurance the out-of-pocket expenses will be approximately $3,500 for gastric sleeve surgery in Newcastle, NSW. For patients without private health insurance, the cost of gastric sleeve surgery will be approximately $20,000. The fees cover everything from obesity clinician fees to additional private hospital costs and anaesthetist expenses.
If you are not insured for obesity surgery or do not have cover weight-loss surgical intervention, you still have the option to either upgrade your insurance levels to ensure coverage. Alternatively, you can find a new insurance company that will provide adequate obesity and weight loss surgery cover. Check with your insurance provider for more information on your policy.
While the costs of obesity surgery in NSW may be overwhelming, it’s important to consider the seriousness of bariatric procedures and the lifestyle changes that come with weight loss surgery. If you are suffering from obesity, you should understand the seriousness of your condition and what it will take to get your health back on track with weight loss surgery. Gastric Sleeve procedures are lifechanging and have the capacity to provide a permanent weight loss solution for those struggling with clinical obesity.
Central Coast Surgery is a nationally recognised weight loss practice providing medically intervening obesity procedures. Our experienced surgeons service the Central Coast and throughout NSW, offering treatment for obesity patients all the way from Sydney to the Central Coast, the Hunter Valley and in between. The principal surgeon for our gastric Newcastle NSW procedures is Dr Ken Wong, one of Australia’s most experienced surgeons specialising in keyhole weight loss surgery and bariatric procedures.
Our clinic works closely with each bariatric patient to provide the best possible obesity support and weight loss progress they desire. We are committed to providing the right help to those who are committed to making changes through obesity surgery. Through our comprehensive multidisciplinary approach to Newcastle Obesity Surgery, we can help overweight patients to change their lives for the better. Our surgeons strive to provide an exceptional public or private hospital and operative experience – our specialist clinic will set you up for a restful recovery following the obesity surgery, before supporting you on altering your life for the better. If you’d like more information on our obesity surgeries, get in touch with our practice to learn more.
Gastric sleeve procuedures are almost always done laparoscopically and is relatively minimally invasive. Laparoscopically means that a long, thin tube is inserted into your abdomen through several small incisions. The laparoscope also has a light and a tiny camera attached to it as well as various instruments.
The operation is completed under general anaesthesia – a drug that will keep the patient unconscious, so they do not feel pain, move or be aware during obesity surgery. The surgeon will then use a stapling device to create a small tube or sleeve of the smaller portion of the stomach. Then, the obesity surgery will involve removing the rest of the stomach.
On average, about 80% of the outer stomach is removed. This will depend largely on the patient and their starting weight. The edges of the remaining stomach are stapled or sutured together, creating a sleeve that will then act as the stomach for the patient.
The surgery will take about one hour in total. Once the obesity surgery is complete, you’ll be moved from the operating theatre, into a post-operative recovery room while you wake up from anaesthesia. Sleeve procedures generally only require an overnight stay or 2-3 days in the private hospital before the patient will be able to go home.
After your operation, you can expect to feel quite drowsy from the anaesthetic. Your body will be sore, but you’ll have access to pain relief immediately following your procedure. Patients undergoing sleeve bariatric surgery will generally recover pretty quickly within the first few days. By two weeks, most patients feel they have adequately recovered and can get back to work.
You may require help and support following the first few days after your procedure. Much like gastric bypass and gastric banding surgery, heavy lifting, intensive exercise and general physical exertion should be avoided for at least a week.
After your operation, you won’t really feel like eating for at least a couple of hours. You can expect to get your appetite back in the days following the obesity surgery, and you’ll be put on a strict liquid diet to allow your stomach to heal. Over the next few weeks, you will be switched to pureed foods, before venturing onto solids. Given that the size of your stomach will be significantly smaller, your meal portions will be small before you feel full.
After your surgery, you’ll need to make many lifestyle changes to continue to lose weight — and make sure it stays lost. All of our patients can work closely with our professional dietician to ensure that they adopt healthy eating behaviours that will stand the test of time. The patient may also be required to take vitamins and supplements to compensate their nutrition with the suitable minerals and vitamins.
After your weight-loss surgery procedure, you should also increase the physical activity that you partake in. A gastric sleeve procedure will significantly help in becoming a more active, fit and healthy participant in physical exercise. If your Body Mass Index exceeds forty, your medical professional may recommend that you undergo gastric sleeve weight loss surgery. This approach would also be beneficial for you if your BMI surpasses thirty-five and you also have other co-morbid obesity-related conditions (these could include type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular health, and asthma.) Undergoing gastric sleeve surgery can help you reduce these obesity-related health issues.
Gastric sleeve Newcastle surgery is an option for those who have attempted numerous weight loss routes with no success. If your Body Mass Index exceeds forty, your medical professional may recommend that you undergo gastric sleeve weight loss surgery. This approach would also be beneficial for you if your BMI surpasses thirty-five and you also have other co-morbid obesity-related conditions (these could include type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular health, and asthma.) Undergoing gastric sleeve surgery can help you reduce these obesity-related health issues. In some cases, gastric sleeve surgery Newcastle may be more appropriate for patients whose BMI (Body Mass Index) is too high for other weight-loss surgeries like gastric bypass or gastric banding.
You should consider gastric sleeve obesity surgery if you are serious about making dramatic changes to your lifestyle for the better. Much like gastric banding and gastric bypass, candidates for gastric sleeve surgery have generally tried to lose weight for at least six months with dieting and exercise with little result. While the success of gastric sleeve surgery is relatively high, the procedure is not recommended for those who are not committed to making serious diet and exercise changes after obesity surgery.
Gastric sleeve surgery Newcastle is not a quick-fix solution for rapidly losing weight. Gastric sleeve surgery is usually minimally invasive. However, it requires the surgeon to remove a large portion of the stomach from the body, meaning that gastric sleeve surgery is not reversible, while gastric banding and gastric bypass often are. Undergoing this type of procedure is a huge step in changing your life and your body – sleeve gastrectomy is not cosmetic surgery. It will only be successful in the long-term if the patient is wholeheartedly committed to not going back to unhealthy behaviours.
After the procedure, the patient will need to make big, lifelong changes to their food consumption behaviours, including portion sizing and healthy, natural foods. Regular exercise is also a crucial element in keeping the weight off and adopting a healthier lifestyle. Many gastric sleeve patients will regain weight after a couple of years because they have not made these permanent changes and stuck to them. Those considering a gastric sleeve need to ensure they are well aware and committed to adopting a healthy, balanced lifestyle long after they have healed from the procedure.
Gastric sleeve is a relatively safe operation, but as with any major bariatric surgery (like gastric banding and bypass), there are risks of complications. Some complications can occur after operation. These include:
The Central Coast Surgery obesity clinic also offer Newcastle patients with a wide variety of Newcastle obesity surgery options, including gastric bypass surgery and gastric banding surgery. Performed in private hospital facilities, our Newcastle patients have the opportunity to undergo any of our bariatric surgeries for obesity, without having to travel too far.
Dr Ken Wong is an experienced bariatric surgeon, providing a sleeve, gastric bypass and gastric banding surgery to those suffering from extreme and morbid obesity. Dr Ken Wong is an expert in the weight loss surgery field — he performs hundreds of weight loss procedures every year! Most of our procedures are completed laparoscopically, including gastric banding surgery and gastric bypass surgery (when applicable).
Performing these surgeries laparoscopically, Dr Ken Wong is able to provide a minimally invasive procedure with faster recovery time for all weight loss patients. Where bariatric surgery can be quite daunting and dramatic as it is, the laparoscopic gastric surgery route alleviates unnecessary discomfort, pain and abdominal weakness.
Gastric bypass Newcastle is an alternative to a sleeve procedure, wherein the surgeon creates a small stomach pouch and attaches it to a different part of the small intestine. Gastric bypass surgery is different from sleeve gastrectomy in that the procedure involves adapting the digestive route, for malabsorption purposes. If you’d like to learn more about gastric bypass surgery, you can find out more on our gastric bypass informational page for all patients in the Central Coast & Newcastle.
Gastric banding refers to another bariatric surgery that works to support weight loss. A third alternative to gastric sleeve surgery, gastric banding works by placing a small, inflatable band on the stomach, to create a smaller section or “pouch”. The band works to aid weight loss by filling up earlier, and preventing the patient from overeating and putting on excess weight. Unlike gastric sleeve surgery, gastric banding is not permanent, and the band will eventually need to be removed.
All of our procedures take place in private hospital facilities, where Dr Ken Wong will be your expert bariatric surgeon. Whether you are undergoing gastric sleeve, gastric banding or gastric bypass bariatric surgery, you will be well taken care of in a private hospital along the Central Coast. All of our Newcastle medical obesity patients are offered fantastic specialist treatment, with our clinic prioritising post-operative care and healing.
You should never take weight loss surgery lightly or choose to go through with it on a whim. Whether you’re considering gastric bypass, banding, or sleeve, it’s essential to choose a clinic that you know you can place your confidence in. What’s more, Newcastle obesity surgery candidates need to carefully consider their treatment of obesity and ensure they are well aware that bariatric surgery is merely a step in a long-term game. The post-operative choices that one makes will be critical in how successful their weight loss procedure is.
If you’d like to learn more, just phone 02 4323 7000 to contact us at the Central Coast Clinic and talk to someone about Newcastle gastric sleeve and bariatric surgery options. Once you contact us, we can provide further information on what your options are and what our clinic can do for your obesity treatment.
Once you’ve been talked through the various procedures, we will have you in for your first appointment. Central Coast Surgery’s friendly, dedicated, and knowledgeable reception staff will always be ready and willing to assist you with any questions or problems. During your weight loss journey, our experienced team of expert surgeons, physicians, dieticians, and psychologists are here for you. We’re proud to rely on a multi-disciplinary team of specialist weight-loss experts to combat obesity through bariatric surgery. By pooling the expertise of our weight-loss team, we’ll help achieve your weight loss objectives safely and effectively — the only way to do it.
We’re here to provide all of our Newcastle obesity surgery patients with safe and effective weight loss operations, comprehensive pre and post-operative education and ongoing post weight loss surgery care that supports a healthy lifestyle. From face to face support groups to online support and access to a wide range of medical specialists, Central Coast Surgery is not just here to provide you with gastric sleeve, gastric banding or gastric bypass surgery. We’re here to help you successfully lose weight, keep it off, and lead a healthy and happy lifestyle. You’ll be able to contact us at any time, for any issues you may be experiencing.
For visitors from Maitland and the Hunter region, the Central Coast is a wonderful place to visit and recover from bariatric surgery. Removed from the bustle and stress of a big city, all of our obesity surgery procedures take place in the exceptional facilities of Gosford & Wyong Public Hospitals, Gosford Private Hospital and Brisbane Waters Private Hospitals.
If you are travelling for weight loss surgery, we are just an hour’s drive north, in the Central Coast. We offer comfortable bariatric surgery accommodation within public and private hospitals for every patient to enjoy a relaxed and restful environment to recover and begin their long term lifestyle change in. Continue reading for more information on our experienced practice and the obesity surgery procedures that we offer to those in Newcastle.
As well as offering sleeve surgery gastric procedures, bypass gastric operations, and gastric bypass weight loss surgery, we also offer revision surgery for Newcastle obesity surgery patients. Revision surgery refers to any operation wherein a patient has already previously undergone a form of bariatric surgery and have either had complications from such surgery or have not successfully achieved expected results from the initial procedure.
Revision surgery is not a back-up plan for those who do not make the necessary changes to their lifestyles and subsequently re-gain their pre-operative weight. Revision surgery is for patients who experience complications or have not successfully achieved significant weight loss results from the initial surgery.
Central Coast Surgery offer revision surgery to a variety of existing patients and patients who have had unsuccessful results with other weight loss clinics. Whether you have experienced a problem with your initial procedure or are struggling to experience lasting results from your private hospital weight loss surgery, we can help. Just contact us to talk to one of our specialists – phone 02 4323 7000 today to talk to someone about our revision procedures and whether you are a candidate.
The team at Central Coast Surgery are the leading experts in the treatment of obesity in Newcastle and Australia. All of our procedures are undertaken in private hospitals to provide our patients with the best possible quality of pre and post-operative care. If you’d like to learn more about what we can do for you, contact us and phone 02 4323 7000. Our phone number and reception staff are available to all who are seeking advice on obesity treatment – just contact us, and we’ll answer your questions as best as we can.
