Most patients walk in having tried every diet, every gym, every shake. The body fights back — that’s its job. This is what’s actually going on, and what works long-term.
A long-term plan, not another diet
Most patients walk in having tried every diet, every gym, every shake. The body fights back — that’s its job. This is what’s actually going on, and what works long-term.
The science
When you lose weight by restricting calories, your body responds with hormonal changes designed for a very different era — when famine was a real threat. Ghrelin (hunger) goes up. Leptin (fullness) goes down. Your resting metabolic rate falls. The brain rewires reward signals so high-calorie food becomes more attractive, not less.
These changes can persist for years after weight loss. It’s why 80% of people who lose weight by dieting alone regain it within five years. It’s not a failure of character. It’s the predictable response of a system doing exactly what it evolved to do.
“My patients aren’t lazy. They’ve worked harder than most people will in a lifetime. The system they’ve been told to use is the problem.”
Semaglutide, tirzepatide and the rest of the GLP-1 family are powerful tools. They reduce appetite and improve glycaemic control. But they’re indefinitely-dosed by design. Stop the medication, and the hormonal drivers come back — often with significant rebound. The cost adds up. So do the side-effects. OptiWeight can help you transition safely from medication to a durable, long-term solution.
There’s no single right answer. The OptiWeight assessment exists to match the treatment to the person — and to be honest with you when surgery isn’t the right answer right now.
Specialist-monitored GLP-1 or bridging medication for patients not ready for surgery, with structured nutritional and behavioural support. Reviewed every 4–8 weeks.
The intragastric balloon (Orbera or Spatz3) — a soft balloon placed in the stomach for up to 12 months. No incisions. Day procedure. Fully reversible.
Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, Roux-en-Y bypass, one-anastomosis bypass and revisional surgery — the durable, long-studied options for sustained weight loss.
Bridging pathways combine medical and surgical care — using medications to optimise patients pre-operatively, then transitioning into a permanent surgical solution.
Average excess weight loss after sleeve gastrectomy at 1–2 years
Of published follow-up showing durable surgical outcomes
Type 2 diabetes remission rates after gastric bypass in selected patients
Major complication rate in high-volume Australian bariatric registries
Figures drawn from the Bariatric Surgery Registry and published international literature. Individual results vary; we provide personalised expectations at consultation.
Modern laparoscopic bariatric surgery has a major complication rate below 1% in high-volume Australian practices. That’s lower than many routine elective procedures. Dr Ashok uses the latest powered-stapling technology and operates exclusively at accredited private hospitals with full ICU backup.
Some weight regain after the initial loss is normal — typically 10–15%. With consistent follow-up, dietitian support and lifelong contact with our team, most patients maintain the majority of their weight loss beyond 10 years. The structured follow-up programme is built specifically to prevent regain.
It depends on the procedure and on you. Sleeve gastrectomy patients typically lose 60–70% of their excess weight. Gastric bypass patients typically lose 25–35% of total body weight. We model this individually at consultation.
Yes — within limits, and with adjustments. We’re not in the business of joyless food. Our dietitians will work with you to rebuild a sustainable, enjoyable eating pattern that fits your life and your culture.
Most patients have surgery within 6–12 weeks of first consultation. Time is spent on preoperative investigations (gastroscopy, sleep studies, echo where indicated), dietitian assessment, and the 2-week liver-reducing diet immediately pre-op.
