Your Weight Loss Surgery Journey
Your weight loss surgery journey begins with consultations with a BodyFree bariatric surgeon and dietitian, supported by a GP referral to access Medicare rebates.
The dietitian prepares you for pre- and post-operative nutrition, while the surgeon assesses your suitability, discusses your goals, and may request further tests before scheduling surgery.
After the procedure, you’ll have follow-up appointments with both your dietitian and surgeon, with ongoing support encouraged to help maintain long-term success.
Most patients experience significant weight loss within the first 6–12 months, with the full journey typically spanning 12–18 months as you adopt sustainable lifestyle and dietary changes.
Meet Your Specialist Bariatric Team
Your weight loss surgery journey begins with your BodyFree Weight Loss Clinic consultations with your Bariatric Surgeon and Dietitian. Discuss your health and lifestyle goals, learn more about the surgical options and which one is best for you, and also gain an understanding of your pre and post-operative dietary needs.
Weight Loss Surgery & Hospital Stay
The day has arrived for you to take the next step on your weight loss surgery journey. You’ll arrive at the hospital on your surgery day at an assigned time. Weight Loss Surgery will be performed by your Bariatric Surgeon, a 1-2 night hospital stay will follow.
Post-Operative Care
Your post-operative diet will commence, initially liquid only before progressing to pureed food. Your Dietitian will provide direction and guidance to help you on your way. You will visit your Bariatric Surgeon, Bariatric Physician and Dietitian during this stage.
Ongoing Care
You will continue to see your Bariatric Surgeon or Bariatric Physician every 3-4 months for the first 12 months post surgery, then 1–2 times during the following 12 months. We recommend seeing your Dietitian 3-4 more times following surgery to help you achieve better long term results.
Healthy Life Maintenance
All of your dietary and lifestyle changes become part of your everyday life as you progress on your weight loss surgery journey. You will start to feel healthier everyday. Your confidence will begin to increase as you become more social and enjoy life.
The process
Weight Loss Surgery Journey Stages
The weight loss surgery journey normally takes from 12–18 months, with most of the weight coming off in the first 6 months. During this period, there will be regular follow up visits, more frequently during the first year and then once or twice a year on an ongoing basis.
Stage
Meet Your Specialist Bariatric Team
Initial consult at BodyFree Weight Loss Clinic.
- Meet with your Bariatric Surgeon
- Meet with your Dietitian
- Discuss your weight loss goals and any health concerns. Ask questions, discuss surgical options etc.
Medical tests requested.
- If not already conducted, you will likely be required to have blood and/or other medical tests prior to having surgery. Your Bariatric Surgeon will advise what is required during your initial consultation.
Psychologist appointment.
- Some patients may benefit from visiting a psychologist particularly if they have an unusually strong relationship with food when under stress or emotional pressure.
Follow up appointment with your Bariatric Surgeon.
- If required, discuss any medical tests conducted following your initial consult and next steps for you. This visit also allows you an opportunity to ask further questions.
Schedule your Weight Loss Surgery.
- We will provide information about your procedure and the next steps to get you ready for your surgery date. You will receive email confirmation of your surgery date, hospital admission papers and post-operative dietitian and surgical follow up appointment details.
Stage
Your Surgery & Hospital Stay
Surgery day.
- You will be contacted by the hospital where your procedure will be performed 1-2 days prior to your surgery date. During this call you will be told what time to arrive at the hospital for your procedure, you will also be given pre-operative fasting instructions.
Hospital stay.
- On average, patients spend up to 1-2 nights in hospital post surgery.
Stage
Post-Operative Care
Post-operative diet commences.
- Your weight loss journey begins with your post-operative diet. During your initial Dietitian consultation you will be given post-operative dietary advice to follow. Patients are typically restricted to a liquid only diet in the first stage of recovery moving onto pureed meals soon after.
- This post-operative consultation will be conducted one week after surgery.
- This post-operative consultation will be conducted four weeks after surgery.
Stage
Ongoing Care
- As a general guide, you will visit the clinic for follow up appointments every 3-4 months in the 12 months following your procedure, and then 1-2 times during the second year post surgery.
- We recommend you see your Dietitian at least one more time following your procedure, but we have found that further follow up appointments can be very helpful and deliver more successful results as your weight loss journey continues.
Healthy Life Maintenance following Weight Loss Surgery
- As you progress through the dietary and lifestyle changes following your procedure and your weight loss begins you will start to feel better and healthier everyday.
- You will experience positive long term life changes as your confidence increases and you make better food choices, add exercise and physical activity to your days and get out and about more often with family and friends.
Considering Weight Loss Surgery?
Your Weight Loss Surgery journey starts with scheduling an appointment with a BodyFree Weight Loss Clinic Bariatric Surgeon and Dietitian.
You will then need to visit your GP to request a referral for the Surgeon and we also recommend requesting an EPC Care Plan for your Dietitian. These referrals will allow you to claim Medicare rebates.
Our Dietitian will talk to you about your current nutrition and then discuss your pre-operative and post-operative diets to help you to be best prepared for the changes ahead.
You will then see our Bariatric Surgeon who will chat with you about your personal goals and overall health in order to determine suitability for Weight Loss Surgery and answer any questions you may have.
If you are considering weigfht loss surgery, call the friendly team at BodyFree on 02 9565 5505 to discuss or to schedule a confidential consultation.
