Bariatric Surgery
Weight loss surgery, also known as bariatric surgery, is an option to treat the medical condition of obesity. Dr Dunkley works in an experienced team that perform Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy and Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass surgery. She has helped local people achieve and maintain weight loss to improve their long term health outcomes. Dr Dunkley also places Allurion Balloons and can help to link in with her specialist colleagues for medical management of obesity.
About obesity
Obesity is a chronic health disorder. Unfortunately, it is the biggest contributor to morbidity and mortality in the world now. Many people suffer from obesity from an early age and this progresses as time goes on. There are usually repeated attempts to lose weight with calorie restriction, diets and exercise. Often patients have no medical input into these attempts and try to do it on their own. When they do not lose weight, or weight regain, they feel like a failure. However, weight loss is complex and we now treat it a medical condition that requires complex multidisciplinary medical care.
There are a number of tools that can now be used to help people lose weight and maintain weight loss.
About Bariatric Surgery
Weight loss surgery may be an option if you need extra support to lose excess weight that is causing issues for your health. Weight loss surgery works in three main ways by:
Changing the hormones that regulate hunger, appetite and satiety and improving your bodies ability to regulate sugar control.
Reduce the volume of food needed to achieve satiety, the sensation of fullness.
Bypassing a length of the intestine. This changes the way your digestive system works and limits your ability to absorb calories from food.
Weight loss surgery
Dr Dunkley offers a variety of weight loss procedures. Each procedures works slightly differently and has its own advantages and disadvantages. Dr Dunkley will discuss the benefits and explore your personal preferences at your initial consultation. There is no ‘best’ weight loss surgery. Together you will decide which option is right for you.
Allurion Balloon
Dr Dunkley is one of the few specialists in Australia accredited to offer patients the Allurion balloon a non-surgical weight loss treatment combined with lifestyle changes (diet and exercise). Read more below.
Medical Management
Many different medications are available for the medical management of obesity. Where appropriate, Dr Dunkley may refer you to specialist colleagues for medical management and care.
Is weight loss surgery an option for me?
Body mass index (BMI) is often used as a guide to calculate the suggested healthy weight range for your age. Bariatric surgery is generally considered in patients with a BMI over 35. However, being ready to commit to long-lasting diet and lifestyle changes is an important factor for success and our team can help you with this.
It’s important to understand that weight loss surgery is more than an operation. There are many different factors that contribute to your excess weight. Dr Dunkley will prioritise getting to know you, understanding your history and supporting your long term success when planning any weight loss surgery.
Our approach to weight loss surgery
Dr Dunkley works as part of a team of doctors and allied health professionals at AMOS, Australian Metabolic & Obesity Surgery, offering tailored support for people looking to improve their health through sustainable, long-term weight loss.
Our programs include support from nutritionists and dieticians to help prepare you for surgery; exercise physiologists to help you achieve and sustain good health and fitness; and support from psychologists before and after your surgery to help you achieve your goals beyond surgery.
For a complete guide to what you can expect in your weight loss journey visit the AMOS website here.
Types of weight loss surgery
Lap band (gastric banding)
Dr Dunkley does not perform lap bands, however she can help to manage them with fluid adjustment.
On occasions they may not result in adequate weight loss meaning that further support is needed, or they may have complications and they may need to be removed.
Learn more about the gastric banding procedure.
Mini bypass
The single anastomosis gastric bypass, also known as the mini bypass, is an operation to divide the stomach into a smaller upper portion which is then connected directly to a loop in the small bowel. The lower portion of the stomach is untouched.
This procedure works by allowing food to pass directly into the small bowel without being stored in the stomach. Fewer calories are absorbed from fats and sugars which results in weight loss.
It is a similar operation to a traditional gastric bypass (Roux-en-Y) but only requires one bowel join (anastomosis).
Learn more about the mini bypass procedure.
Gastric bypass
A gastric bypass, also called the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, involves stapling your stomach to create a smaller stomach then bypassing the rest of your stomach and part of your small intestine before being reconnected.
This procedure works by restricting the amount of food you can comfortably eat and preventing some of the calories and nutrients in your food from being absorbed by the small bowel.
It also stimulates hormone changes which makes it particularly helpful for people with type 2 diabetes.
The operation is performed under a general anaesthetic and usually takes 2 to 4 hours.
Learn more about the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure.
Sleeve gastrectomy
A sleeve gastrectomy involves separating the stomach to create a new smaller pouch that is called a ‘gastric sleeve’.
This procedure works by reducing the size of your stomach to make you feel full sooner. Consuming less food and therefore fewer calories helps you lose weight.
Reducing the size of the stomach also results in hormone changes that make you feel less hungry.
After the procedure, the food you eat still passes through the intestines as normal so the calories and nutrients you do eat are absorbed by the body as normal.
The operation is performed under a general anaesthetic and usually takes 1 to 3 hours.
Learn more about the gastric sleeve procedure.
Non-surgical Allurion balloon
Dr Dunkley is one of the few specialists in Australia accredited to offer patients the Allurion balloon a non-surgical weight loss treatment combined with lifestyle changes (diet and exercise).
It works by reducing the amount of space in your stomach for food, making you feel fuller sooner and helping you eat less.
In your placement appointment, you will swallow a small capsule containing a deflated gastric balloon attached to a small catheter. Dr Dunkley uses an x-ray to ensure the device is in the right position before gently inflating the balloon and removing the catheter.
The balloon also includes an Allurion technology health tracker and app that we use to help support you and keep you accountable.
After approx.16 weeks, the balloon deflates and passes through your digestive system naturally.
Where will I have my surgery?
Dr Dunkley consults in Mildura and Adelaide and operates in Mildura (Mildura Base Hospital or Mildura Private Hospital) and Adelaide (Calvary Adelaide Hospital).
What happens after surgery?
You should expect to stay in hospital for two days following weight loss surgery. You will begin a modified diet straight away and Dr Dunkley and nursing staff will monitor your recovery and ensure you know what to expect in the weeks after your procedure. The team will schedule any follow up appointments and help you begin the next phase of your weight loss journey.