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It’s no secret that Sydney is home to beautiful parks, mountains and beaches that serve as breathtaking backgrounds for people who love to exercise outdoors. But did you know Sydney also offers several outdoor gyms? Often thought of as playgrounds for adults, outdoor gyms offer fresh air and a range of modern
fitness equipment. Not to mention, they’re free! If you are bored of running on an indoor treadmill or exercising in a stuffy indoor gym, consider trying out one of the following outdoor gyms in Sydney recommended by Dr. V. Kuzinkovas.Read More

Gastric bypass surgery is one of the types of bariatric surgery Dr. V. Kuzinkovas offers at Advanced Surgicare. Because it is one of the most commonly performed weight loss surgeries, Dr. Kuzinkovas thought it would be wise to answer frequently asked questions about the procedure.Read More

By now, you know that exercise plays an essential role in healthy living. But did you know how you exercise plays an important part as well? Exercise Right Week is a national campaign created by (ESSA), which calls for Australians to exercise not only more frequently but also properly. In this blog post, Dr. V. Kuzinkovas shares more information on the campaign, as well as tips on how to improve your fitness regimen.Read More

The rate of obesity has more than doubled worldwide over the past 40 years, according to a recent study. The study also reveals that obesity has now become a bigger problem than world hunger, as there are more people obese than underweight now. In this blog post, Dr. V. Kuzinkovas breaks down the study’s findings.Read More

At Advanced Surgicare, the majority of Dr. V. Kuzinkovas’ patients are excited to engage in a more active lifestyle following weight loss surgery. One of the most popular activities our patients like to engage in is hiking. From calming walks to more extensive workouts, Sydney is home to several hiking trails. In this blog post, we take a look at some of Sydney’s best hiking trails to explore.

Bundeena to OtfordRead More

On average, it takes two to five weeks to recover from gastric bypass surgery and return to normal daily activities. With this in mind, the Advanced Surgicare team wants to share the following tips to help you heal from your surgery as quickly and properly as possible.Read More

The results from massive weight loss surgery are life-changing. Patients feel healthier, happier and many say they feel inspired to travel and spend more time outdoors. And in a beautiful city like Sydney, we don’t blame them! In this blog post, the Advanced Surgicare team reveals some of Sydney’s popular attractions and activities to explore following weight loss surgery.Read More

As a leading bariatric surgeon in Sydney, Dr. V. Kuzinkovas of Advanced Surgicare meets with countless people who seek to lose massive weight. Many of these patients wonder what other benefits, if any, there are to bariatric surgery. Dr. Kuzinkovas is happy to say that there are plenty of benefits to bariatric surgery other than just weight loss. In this blog post, he shares four additional ways patients can benefit from bariatric surgery.Read More

One of the weight loss procedures that Dr. V. Kuzinkovas receives a lot of questions about is Lap-Band surgery. He thought it would be wise to address the four most common questions about Lap-Band in a blog post. If you have additional questions about Lap-Band that aren’t covered in this post, please feel free to schedule an informational consultation with Dr. Kuzinkovas at Advanced Surgicare to discuss.

What is Lap-Band surgery?

The Lap-Band is a gastric banding device designed to limit food intake. During Lap-Band surgery, an adjustable silicone band is placed around the upper portion of the stomach. The band creates a small pouch to hold food, with a narrow passageway from the pouch to the lower, larger portion of the stomach.

Lap-Band surgery can be performed laparoscopically (through several small incisions) for a shorter recovery and greater patient comfort.

After surgery, the stomach holds less food, and the food passes from the pouch to the lower stomach and intestines much slower than normal. Because of these two factors, the patient feels fuller after eating less food. The result is rapid, steady weight loss.

Is the Lap-Band removable?

The Lap-Band is removable, should a complication arise after surgery. Sometimes it can be removed laparoscopically. If the band is removed, the stomach returns to its original shape. The band can also be tightened or loosened as needed, by adding or removing saline solution to the band through an injection port.

How much weight will I lose after surgery (and how quickly)?

Every patient is different, so it is difficult to say. Your weight loss will vary, depending on how committed to healthy diet and exercise habits you are. Also, whether the band is placed correctly can affect how much weight you lose. If it is too tight, you will lose too much weight quickly; if it is not tight enough, you may not lose enough weight.

Typically, Lap-Band patients lose 0.5 – 1 kg per week. The majority of weight loss occurs within the first year of surgery.

Am I a candidate for Lap-Band surgery?

Lap-Band candidacy is determined after a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Kuzinkovas. During your consultation, he will perform a physical examination, try to learn more about your lifestyle and health history and ask about your weight loss goals. If he does not feel Lap-Band is suitable for your case, he will recommend an alternative treatment option.

Generally, Lap-Band candidates are individuals who:

• are 18 years or older
• have a BMI of at least 40, or 30-35 with at least one obesity-related health condition
• are not able to sustain long-term weight loss through diet or exercise
• are prepared to make life-altering changes
• are not pregnant

Learn More about the Lap-Band

To learn more about the Lap-Band surgery and what it entails, schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Kuzinkovas. Please call 1-300 551 533 today.

There is no question that obesity makes it more difficult to become pregnant, stay healthy during pregnancy and deliver a healthy baby. The link between maternal obesity and adverse pregnancy outcomes is well documented. And, with one of three Australian women of reproductive age being overweight or obese, this is a widespread concern.

Fortunately, studies also show that weight loss surgery lowers these risks. Losing even a little bit of weight is good for the health of mother and child.

Here, Dr. V. Kuzinkovas of Advanced Surgicare explains what you need to know about obesity and pregnancy.

Getting Pregnant While Overweight

Being substantially overweight can compromise fertility, making it difficult to become pregnant. Studies show that obese women are more likely to have infrequent or irregular ovulation and menstruation than women of a healthy weight. And, men that are obese are more likely to have low testosterone levels; they can struggle with erectile dysfunction, too. Also, obesity can hinder the outcome of assisted reproductive technology such as in-vitro fertilization.

Health Risks During Pregnancy

Women that are overweight or obese have an increased risk of developing serious health problems during pregnancy, including gestational diabetes, high blood pressure and pre-eclampsia.

The risk of miscarrying or delivering a stillborn baby is greater among expectant mothers that are obese. Obese pregnant women also have a higher risk of the following delivery-related complications:

• slow cervical dilation
• induction for prolonged pregnancy
• prolonged labor
• possible birth injury
• Caesarean section delivery as a result of failure to progress during labor

Fetal Complications

Maternal obesity is linked to increased risks for the baby. For example, a baby born to an obese mother is more likely to have birth defects like spina bifida or heart problems. The baby may have a higher birth weight and be prone to childhood obesity, cardiovascular disease and psychological disorders such as depression or anxiety. Obesity can also affect a mother’s ability to breastfeed.

Take Control of Your Health

This information is not meant to scare you. If you are obese and thinking of becoming pregnant in the future, you have hope. Losing even a few kilograms before pregnancy can help reduce the aforementioned risks and increase your chances of a complication-free pregnancy and healthy baby.

The key is to lose the weight before starting a family. By losing excess weight, you are putting yourself in a better position to become pregnant, stay healthy during pregnancy and deliver a healthy baby.

If you have struggled to lose weight through diet and exercise, Advanced Surgicare has a more effective method. We offer surgical weight loss options, such as gastric bypass and gastric sleeve, so you attain your goal weight and can enjoy a healthier and happier pregnancy.

To learn more about the available weight loss surgery options, schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Kuzinkovas. Please call 1-300 551 533 today.