WEIGHT-LOSS SURGERY

Obesity is emerging as a health epidemic around the world. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity is rapidly spreading across all regions and demographic groups.

In fact, 64.3 per cent of Queenslanders are overweight or obese and 60.5 per cent of the Toowoomba region are in the ‘overweight or obese’ category.

Obesity is linked to everything from coronary heart disease, fertility problems, diabetes, joint problems and cancer; and is one of the most significant healthcare issues facing our nation today.

Dieting, exercise, and medication have long been regarded as the conventional methods to achieve weight loss.

Sometimes, these efforts are successful in the short term. However, for some people the results rarely last.

For many, this can translate into what's called the "yo-yo syndrome," where patients continually gain and lose weight with the possibility of serious psychological and health consequences.

Weight-loss surgery is now recognised as a safe treatment option that offers patients a better quality of life, improvement or cure from comorbidities and a longer life expectancy and is more successful than dieting in the long-term.

Sleeve gastrectomy is the most common operation performed for obesity in Australia.

Patients can expect to lose about 70 per cent of excess weight (weight above normal range) in the first year and 60 per cent after five years.

Patients who have had the Roux-en-y gastric bypass (considered the "Gold Standard" in weight-loss surgery) may lose 77 per cent excess weight after one year and 69 per cent after five years.

General Surgeon, Dr Evan Willingham has a strong interest in bariatric surgery and is an advocate for the transformative effect weight-loss surgery can have on his patients’ lives.

Dr Willingham holds patient information evenings so, for more information or to make a referral, please contact Downs Specialist Centre, 146 Mackenzie Street on 07 4580 0828.