Patient-centred weight loss care, supported by a multidisciplinary team
Bulk-billed telehealth available for regional patients.
★★★★★
4.9 · Verified Google reviews
15 years’ experience · UK · NZ · AU
Patient-centred weight loss care, supported by a multidisciplinary team
Bulk-billed telehealth available for regional patients.
Affiliations & credentials
“We treat obesity as a medical condition — never a moral failing.”
If you have tried multiple diets without lasting success, find it difficult to manage your weight, or are ready to explore medically guided options, OptiWeight is here to support you. At OptiWeight, we offer compassionate, doctor-led support guided by specialist surgeon Dr Ashok Gunawardene. We offer both surgical and non-surgical weight-loss treatments, with a multidisciplinary team here to support you during your weight management journey.
We prioritise patient safety in every treatment plan, beginning with a detailed assessment, clear communication, and a treatment pathway tailored to your clinical circumstances. Empathy, respect and open communication guide each stage of your care, so you feel informed, supported and never rushed into a decision.
Founder & Director
Pathways
Your care is supported by a multidisciplinary team, including bariatric dietitians and psychological support.
Dr Ashok Gunawardene has 15 years of clinical experience across the UK, New Zealand and Australia, with subspecialist training in upper GI and bariatric surgery, and a PhD in surgical research.
Specialist-led
Support
Dr Ashok is committed to building a professional therapeutic relationship with each patient, ensuring you’re informed and supported throughout your care. Patients are not left to navigate treatment or follow-up alone, with ongoing guidance available as questions or concerns arise.
With both surgical and non-surgical weight management options available, OptiWeight can help you explore a pathway that is appropriate for your health, weight history, lifestyle and clinical suitability.
Treatment Options
Weight-loss injections work — but they’re designed to be taken indefinitely. The cost adds up. The side-effects don’t always settle. And weight regain after stopping is well documented in clinical studies. Bariatric surgery offers durable results — often beyond 10 years — and we can help you transition safely from medication to a long-term solution.
At OptiWeight, we know that every individual’s weight loss journey is different, and offer a suite of treatment options. Our procedures aim to support your weight management goals while also considering patient comfort and safety.
Most popular
The most performed bariatric procedure in Australia. A laparoscopic surgery that reduces stomach size by up to 90%, helping you feel fuller sooner and dramatically reducing hunger hormones.
Weight loss
Hospital stay
Recovery
From
Best for diabetes
Creates a small stomach pouch and reroutes part of the small intestine in a “Y” shape. Particularly effective for type 2 diabetes — remission in up to 80% of patients.
25–35% total loss · From $25,000
Shorter operation
A simplified bypass with a single connection. Shorter operating time, fewer potential complications, and similar long-term results to a traditional bypass.
60–80% excess loss · From $25,000
Non-surgical
A non-surgical, reversible option that involves placing a soft balloon in the stomach during a short endoscopic procedure. The balloon is designed to take up space in the stomach, which may help some patients feel fuller with smaller portions.
Day procedure · From $7,000
Bridging pathway
A medically supervised weight management program that may include lifestyle support, clinical assessment and treatment planning. A treatment pathway is recommended after a thorough clinical assessment of your individual circumstances and health needs.
No surgery · Quoted at consult
Pricing is indicative and includes hospital, theatre, surgeon, anaesthetist and assistant fees. Final fees depend on your private health insurance and individual case. We provide an itemised quote at consultation.
FRACS
MBChB Hons
GESA
PhD
ANZMOSS
Dr Ashok Gunawardene is a registered specialist general surgeon with 15 years of clinical experience across the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia. His subspecialist training is in upper gastrointestinal and weight loss surgery, matched by a PhD in surgical research and a teaching role as an Examiner for the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.
But what sets Ashok apart isn’t only his credentials. It’s his unhurried, judgement-free consultations, his commitment to long-term follow-up, and the personal phone access he gives every patient through their peri-operative period.
“My approach is simple: I want every patient to feel safe, supported, and never rushed. Surgery is a tool – your long-term health is the goal.”
Bariatric surgery is more than a procedure — it’s a lifestyle reset. With our bariatric dietitians and clinical psychology partners, you’ll have specialist support woven into your care, before and after surgery.
Specialist Bariatric Surgeon
FRACS, MBChB(Hons), PhD. Fifteen years across the UK, NZ and Australia, with subspecialist upper-GI training.
FRACS
Bariatric Dietitian
Accredited Practising Dietitian with over 18 years’ experience. Member, Dietitians Australia. Individualised nutrition planning for pre- and post-operative bariatric patients.
APD
Bariatric Dietitian
Bachelor of Human Nutrition and Master of Dietetic Practice (La Trobe). Compassionate, non-judgemental support for sustainable, long-term behaviour change.
APD
Specialist Anaesthetist
Bariatric and upper-GI anaesthesia specialist with two decades of theatre experience across Melbourne’s major private hospitals.
FANZCA
Specialist Anaesthetist
Subspecialty interest in safe airway management and recovery for higher-BMI bariatric patients. Calm, methodical and meticulously prepared.
FANZCA
Specialist Anaesthetist
Focused on opioid-sparing, enhanced-recovery techniques for laparoscopic bariatric surgery — getting patients home sooner, comfortable and clear-headed.
FANZCA
After your enquiry, you may be offered an optional discovery call with a member of the OptiWeight team. This is an informal conversation to help you understand the services available, appointment options, costs, locations and general next steps. Individual medical advice is not provided during this call.
During your consultation, Dr Ashok will discuss your health history, previous weight management attempts, treatment goals and any weight-related health concerns. From here, he will assess which treatment options may be suitable for you. This may include medical weight management, non-surgical treatment, surgical treatment or a combination approach, depending on your individual circumstances and clinical suitability.
Some patients may need additional appointments, investigations or health optimisation before a treatment plan can be finalised. This may include tests such as a gastroscopy, sleep study, echocardiogram or manometry, depending on your symptoms, medical history and risk profile. These steps help ensure your care is planned safely and appropriately.
Your treatment plan may include support from OptiWeight’s in-house bariatric dietitian and wider care team. They’ll provide information and guidance to help you prepare for treatment, manage dietary changes, understand eating behaviours and maintain nutritional safety.
If surgery is recommended, your procedure will be performed by Dr Ashok at either Northern Private Hospital in Epping or St Vincent’s Private Hospital in Werribee. Patients preparing for surgery will usually follow a liver-reducing diet for two weeks before their procedure.
Follow-up is an important part of weight management care. Dr Ashok will review your progress at key stages, with timing depending on your treatment pathway. For surgical patients, this commonly includes reviews at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months and 12 months after surgery, with long-term follow-up available at 6–12 monthly intervals.
Northern Private Hospital, Epping
Northern Private Hospital — main consulting & surgery site
Wallan Medical & Specialist Centre
Sunbury Consulting Suite
Point Cook Consulting Suite
St Vincent’s Private Hospital — surgery site
Australia-wide, priority for regional Victoria
Transparent, itemised quotes covering hospital, theatre, surgeon, anaesthetist and assistant fees. We work with AccessMySuper for patients exploring early release of superannuation.
In-depth guides on injections, surgery readiness, recovery timelines, and the difference between sleeve and bypass — written by Dr Ashok.
For individuals who have not found success with diet and lifestyle changes alone, other weight management options may be available. At OptiWeight, we provide compassionate, judgment-free care to help you understand your options and take the next step in your weight loss journey.
We support patients across Melbourne’s outer north and outer west, and regional Victoria, with consulting options available in areas including Epping, South Morang, Wallan, Sunbury, Point Cook, Werribee, Echuca, Shepparton, and Albury-Wodonga.
For some individuals, a weight-loss clinic can provide support beyond a standard diet plan. A specialist clinic can assess your health, weight history, previous weight management attempts and any factors that may be making weight harder to manage. From there, you can receive guidance on suitable treatment options, which may include medical, non-surgical or surgical pathways depending on your individual circumstances.
The cost depends on the type of care or treatment recommended, whether you have private health insurance and whether you are eligible for Medicare rebates. An initial consultation with Dr Ashok is $250 upfront, with an $86 Medicare rebate available for eligible patients with a valid GP referral. If a procedure is being considered, you will be provided with an itemised quote based on your treatment plan, hospital costs, anaesthetist fees and insurance status. Please contact OptiWeight for more information about consultation fees and treatment costs.
Consultations are available at several locations, including Epping, Wallan, Sunbury, Point Cook and Werribee, with telehealth available where appropriate. If surgery is recommended, Dr Ashok operates at Northern Private Hospital in Epping and St Vincent’s Private Hospital in Werribee. The most suitable location will be discussed with you during your treatment planning.
You do not need to have your GP referral ready before securing an appointment. However, you will need a valid GP referral for your first specialist consultation if you wish to claim the Medicare rebate.
A weight loss clinic may be suitable if you are looking for a structured, medically supported approach to weight management, particularly if your weight is affecting your health, mobility or quality of life. This may include people with a BMI over 35, or a BMI over 30 with weight-related health concerns.
Weight loss clinics may offer a range of medical, non-surgical and surgical treatment options. At OptiWeight, this may include medical weight management, gastric balloon treatment, and bariatric procedures such as gastric sleeve or gastric bypass.
Recovery varies depending on the procedure, your health and the type of work or activities you are returning to. As bariatric surgery is commonly performed using keyhole techniques, some patients may return to light activities within one to two weeks. You will be given personalised recovery instructions, including guidance around eating progression, activity levels and lifting restrictions before and after surgery.
All surgery carries risks, including those associated with abdominal surgery and anaesthesia. Weight loss surgery is an established treatment option for selected patients, but it is not suitable for everyone. Dr Ashok focuses on safety and preparation, and all the potential benefits, risks and alternatives will be discussed during your consultation.
No, surgery is not the only pathway. Depending on your assessment, your options may include medical weight management, non-surgical treatment, surgical treatment or a combination approach. The aim is to recommend a treatment pathway that is appropriate for your health, goals, weight history and clinical suitability.
60 seconds. No obligation. A clear answer on whether surgery is the right fit for you.
