5 Most Popular Questions About Bariatric Surgery in Sydney

Weight loss surgery helps people with obesity regain control over their body size and health. The choice to have bariatric surgery requires careful consideration, consultation with a certified bariatric surgeon, and a thorough understanding of the process. Dr V. Kuzinkovas of Advanced Surgicare in Sydney answers the five most popular questions patients ask about bariatric surgery. 

1. Which bariatric surgery is best for me and my medical conditions? 

The right weight loss procedure for you depends on your BMI, history of weight loss, and comorbid (linked) medical conditions. People with obesity often have related health concerns, including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, fatty liver disease, and sleep apnea. Some bariatric surgeries can reduce the impact of these conditions and can put diabetes into remission. 

Candidacy for gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and lap band surgery is broken into BMI categories (40 and higher, 35 to 40, and 30 to 35) and whether you have obesity-related conditions. People with high BMI, severe reflux disease, or diabetes may see the best results with gastric bypass. People with diabetes often go into remission with gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy. Bariatric surgery may also improve symptoms of hypothyroidism and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). 

2. Is bariatric surgery safe? 

All surgical procedures come with risks of complications, but bariatric surgery is seen as one of the safest compared to other elective surgeries. The benefits of bariatric surgery often outweigh the risks of living with obesity, with increased rates of hypertension, sleep apnea, diabetes, and premature death. 

Sleeve gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass use a laparoscopic approach that reduces the risk of complications. Dr Kuzinkovas performs gastric banding, gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, and revision weight loss surgeries laparoscopically with varying invasiveness to reduce complications and provide optimal results. 

3. Can bariatric surgery be reversed? 

Some types of bariatric surgery are reversible, whereas others permanently alter the digestive system. Lap band surgery is reversible by removing the implanted device, but sleeve gastrectomy is not because the procedure removes 75% of the stomach. While gastric bypass is potentially reversible, it is a complex surgery that alters gut hormones, rearranges the digestive system, and reduces stomach size; many bariatric surgeons consider it unwise to reverse gastric bypass, given the risks. 

4. Where to get bariatric surgery? 

It’s best to choose a bariatric surgeon in your area because you will have several pre-op and post-op visits and ongoing care with the center, which makes traveling a hassle. Schedule a meeting to learn about your surgery options, discuss the surgeon’s credentials, and get a feel for their bedside manner. 

At Advanced Surgicare, Dr Kuzinkovas takes extra time and care to treat each patient with dignity and compassion. Dr Kuzinkovas is an experienced and renowned bariatric surgeon in Sydney. He has performed over 5,000 weight loss surgeries and has extensive training in complex general and upper gastro-intestinal surgical cases. 

5. Is bariatric surgery covered by insurance? 

The cost of bariatric surgery varies by weight loss clinic and private hospital. How much you pay for your weight loss surgery depends on if you have private health insurance. The private health insurance  plan reimburses patients for a portion of the cost of the three most popular bariatric surgeries (gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, and gastric band surgery). However, the reimbursement amount is quite low, therefore patients will be paying a gap fee out of pocket.

If you’re interested in bariatric surgery, contact Advanced Surgicare to schedule a consultation with our certified bariatric surgeon. Call our Sydney, Australia, office at 1300 551 533.