Obesity is a chronic metabolic disease that can happen slowly over many years, or you may have lived with obesity your whole life. With multiple health risks often involved, a discussion with your GP about losing weight may move to weight loss surgery. This decision in itself can take time, and once made, it is natural to feel like the hard part is over. However, selecting your bariatric surgeon is also quite a significant decision, and one that you shouldn’t take lightly. Find out how to choose a bariatric surgeon and the key considerations that will assist you to make an informed decision.
Why knowing how to choose a bariatric surgeon matters
The surgeon and bariatric team you choose can influence many aspects of your experience, from pre-operative preparation and surgical care through to the management of complications and long-term follow-up support. In order to understand this, we would encourage you to seek as much information and advice as possible in order to feel comfortable with the next step. This level of informed decision making is crucial to ensuring that you fully comprehend:
- your suitability for weight loss surgery
- which procedure is best for you
- the surgery process
- the level of commitment required after surgery
- and the level of support you will be provided by your surgical team to achieve your health goals
A better understanding of how to choose a bariatric surgeon can help you navigate your treatment options with confidence. You should not only feel comfortable about the surgery itself, but about your surgeon’s ability to support your long-term health and wellbeing.
9 important considerations for choosing a surgeon in Queensland
1. Qualifications and bariatric experience
Ideally your surgeon should be a Fellow of the Royal Australiasian College of Surgeons (FRACS). They should also have additional subspecialty training in bariatric surgery. This means their surgical fellowship included specific training in bariatric and/or upper gastrointestinal surgery. Alongside these qualifications, you may also like to check the level of experience your surgeon brings. If the surgeon was trained in a high-volume practice, and has been practising in Queensland for many years, they can bring a high level of experience to each surgery.
2. Range of procedures offered
There is no best procedure – there is the best procedure for you. So when choosing a surgeon, not only is the volume of surgeries an important consideration, but the range of procedures they are experienced in. Ideally, you should look for a surgeon who can offer experience in a wide range of bariatric procedures, including revisional surgery.
This will ensure that you can be fully informed about which (if any) surgical procedure is right for you, based on your specific health needs.
3. Hospital accreditation and safety standards
Not only is the experience your surgeon brings to your procedure important, but the experience of the hospital itself is also key. Choosing a surgeon who operates in a nationally accredited hospital in Queensland with modern equipment is important. Alongside this, you should be offered 24/7 medical support during your hospital stay to ensure a high standard of safety and care during and after bariatric surgery.
4. Management of complications
While bariatric surgery is generally considered safe when performed by experienced surgeons, all surgical procedures carry some degree of risk. When choosing a bariatric surgeon, it is worth understanding not only their experience performing surgery, but also how complications are managed should they arise. A comprehensive bariatric service should have clear processes in place for monitoring patients after surgery, identifying potential concerns early, and providing timely access to appropriate medical care when needed.
5. Comprehensive follow-up plan
Knowing how to choose a bariatric surgeon involves looking beyond qualifications alone. That’s because successful weight loss surgery is not only about the procedure, but what happens afterwards. Long-term lifestyle changes and comprehensive medical support are crucial to your success. Experienced surgeons know that long-term outcomes are enhanced when a comprehensive surgical follow up plan is included, supported by a multidisciplinary team. This approach brings together experts in key areas:
- Bariatric dietitians
- Clinical psychologists
- Exercise specialists
- General practitioners
- Nursing and admin support
6. Accessibility and telehealth options
If you are living with a disability, or come from a rural or remote area of Queensland you may find it difficult to attend regular face-to-face appointments. Your surgical follow up and multidisciplinary support needs don’t change because of distance. In this case, it is a good idea to consider how else your surgeon can meet your follow up needs after surgery. Ideally, you will be offered an alternative plan involving telehealth appointments and coordinated local care to help you reach your health goals.
7. Clear communication and personalised care
When you walk out of your first surgical consultation, it’s important that you completely understand the benefits, risks and expectations of surgery as they relate to your situation. It is also reasonable to expect your potential surgeon to take time to understand your goals, answer your questions, and support you with clear, honest and compassionate communication. After all, this surgeon and team is going to be part of your ongoing success for years into the future.
What should you ask at your first consultation?
Want more guidance on how to choose a bariatric surgeon? Here are some key questions to ask at your first consultation. These are by no means exhaustive nor are they specific to your situation. We encourage you to consult with your GP if you need additional support around choosing a surgeon. They may also provide further questions you need to ask potential surgeons relating to your specific health considerations.
- Are you a FRACS-qualified surgeon with specific bariatric training?
- Where and with whom did you complete your bariatric fellowship (subspecialty training)?
- How many bariatric procedures do you perform each year?
- How many weight loss procedures have you performed overall?
- Do you perform different types of bariatric surgery (e.g., sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass)?
- Which procedures do you offer and why might one be recommended over another?
- What costs should I expect before and after surgery?
- What pre-operative assessments are required?
- What are the potential risks and complications of surgery?
- How are complications managed if they occur?
- Who will provide my care if a complication occurs after surgery?
- Does your surgeon personally manage bariatric complications?
- Is there access to after-hours support if concerns arise following my procedure?
- Which hospital will I be treated at if additional care is required?
- How long after my procedure do you offer follow-up?
- What follow-up schedule do you recommend?
- How does the practice coordinate care with my GP and other healthcare providers?
- Do you work with dietitians, psychologists and other health professionals?
- Will I continue seeing the same team long-term?
- Are telehealth appointments available?
- Are there support groups?
- Are you involved in ongoing education and bariatric surgery research?
Looking for a bariatric surgery team in Townsville?
At Mackay McLeod our surgeons are both highly experienced, fellowship-trained bariatric surgeons consulting and operating in Townsville. Both surgeons completed their bariatric fellowships in a high volume bariatric practice. This means we offer the full range of procedures as determined by your needs.
Our comprehensive support plan aims to provide complete care before and after surgery, including during your hospital stay. In the weeks and months after surgery, our plan includes tailored nutrition and exercise, mental health support, and ongoing follow-up appointments. To achieve this, our surgical team works alongside dietitians, psychologists, exercise professionals and your GP as part of a multidisciplinary approach to ongoing success.
Whether you’re just starting out or ready to make a decision, we are always happy to chat with you in detail and answer any questions you may have about our surgeons, the surgery process, and our plan for sustained weight loss.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider for personal medical guidance.
