Weight Loss Surgery

Obesity is a disease, not a weakness.

We now understand obesity to be a genuine disease- it is not a choice. Just like any other chronic medical condition such as epilepsy or asthma, it has a mix of genetic and environmental causes and deserves to be treated appropriately.

Many people with a weight problem feel a bit reluctant to consider weight loss surgery- they may feel it is a 'cop out', that they should be able to control their weight themselves, or that surgery is extreme and dangerous. They may even feel guilty or embarrassed. These feelings are common and fuelled from misunderstanding and prejudice in the community, but they are misguided and unhelpful. Rather, you should feel pride that you are finally taking charge of your health, and seeking effective therapy for a genuine problem.

Visit www.oclinic.com.au to find out more

What is gastric banding

Laparoscopic gastric banding has been performed in Australia since 1992, and more than 60,000 Australian patients have benefited from it. Worldwide it has been used in over 500,000 patients, and is the most commonly performed weight-loss procedure in Australia, Europe, and the Middle East, and is one of the fastest growing procedures in the United States. It has a long and proven track record for safety.

Click here to read more about Gastric Banding

Tube Gastrectomy

This is a relatively new approach. It is the first component of the duodenal switch operation and involves removing the lateral 2/3rds of the stomach with a stapling device. It can be done laparoscopically ( keyhole surgery) but is not reversible. It basically leaves a stomach tube instead of a stomach sack.

Click here to read more about Tube Gastrectomy

Gastric Bypass

Here a small stomach pouch is created to restrict food intake. Next, a Y-shaped section of the small intestine is attached to the pouch to allow food to bypass the lower stomach, the duodenum (the first segment of the small intestine), and the first portion of the jejunum (the second segment of the small intestine). This bypass reduces the absorption of nutrients and thereby reduces the calorie intake.

Click here to read more about Gastric Bypass