Northern Bariatrics, based at Northern Beaches Hospital, has become a hub for cutting-edge bariatric surgery and life-changing weight loss solutions.
In the quest for effective and sustainable weight loss, bariatric surgery has emerged as the gold standard, offering significant and lasting results for those struggling with their weight.
At the forefront of bariatric surgery is Northern Bariatrics, based at Northern Beaches Hospital, led by skilled and dedicated surgeons Dr Andrew Pearson, Dr Carla Gillespie and Dr Christos Apostolou.
They perform weight loss and life-saving surgeries, including procedures such as gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy and adjustable gastric banding, in state-of-the-art facilities with a dedicated team to ensure the best possible patient outcomes.
They tell North Shore Living how bariatric surgery has transformed countless lives, providing substantial weight loss and improved health outcomes.
Dr. Andrew Pearson, BAppSc (Phty), MBBS (Hons), FRACGP, FRACS
Dr Pearson is a specialist General Surgeon at Northern Beaches Hospital, with an interest in acute general surgery, trauma surgery and surgery of the liver, pancreas and biliary tract, gallbladder and abdominal wall hernia.
“I enjoy the variety and the technical challenges of surgery,” Dr Pearson tells North Shore Living. “Seeing patients lose around thirty per cent of their body weight and the difference it makes to their lives is fantastic.”
“In general, once our patients have had their operation they can get on with their life, which is very rewarding.”
The safety of bariatric surgery has improved markedly over the years. Advances in surgical techniques, better preoperative assessments, and enhanced postoperative care have all contributed to reducing the risks associated with these procedures.
Most of Dr Pearson’s procedures are performed via robotic or minimally invasive ‘keyhole’ techniques, which he says leads to shorter hospital stays, quicker recovery, and fewer complications.
“Many surgeries are now performed as day-only procedures, with the patient going home that afternoon.”
“We also perform robotic surgery for complex upper GI and liver surgery, which is very precise.”
Dr Pearson has published research on emergency surgery, biliary malignancy and pancreatitis, and is an active member of the Australian Defence Force, serving overseas on several deployments in both wars and humanitarian operations.
“My deployment experiences have allowed me the opportunities to work in difficult and resource-limited environments,” he adds.
“I think it’s important to know how to get things done with limited resources available.
“This gives me a great perspective as to how fantastic healthcare is on the Northern Beaches, where those lucky enough to live here are afforded excellent healthcare.”
Dr Carla Gillespie, B.Med, MS, FRACS, ANZGOSA
Dr Gillespie is a General, Upper Gastrointestinal and Bariatric surgeon with a special interest in stomach and oesophageal cancer, hiatus hernia repair and gallbladder surgery.
Dr Gillespie’s meticulous surgical skills and compassionate patient care have quickly earned her a reputation for excellence, and her weight loss surgeries include sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass and revision procedures.
“When patients come to me, they’ve usually tried every diet and medication under the sun.”
“They are sick of yo-yo dieting and being unable to maintain results.”
While many new weight loss medications are on the market, Dr Gillespie says they don’t always work for everyone or provide the desired results.
“The weight loss achieved through bariatric surgery is not only significant – thirty to thirty-five per cent total body weight loss at five years – but also sustainable, with patients maintaining their reduced weight long-term.”
Being overweight is linked to a myriad of health issues, including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, and heart disease. Bariatric surgery has been shown to significantly reduce, or even resolve, these comorbid conditions.
Dr Gillespie explains how the health benefits of bariatric surgery extend far beyond weight loss, saying, “These include improved mobility, reduced joint pain, and enhanced mental health and these additional benefits contribute to the patient’s overall well-being.
“They’re also happy with the other associated benefits, such as being able to run around with their children or grandchildren, making travel easier, and having more energy in their everyday life.”
Associate Professor Christos Apostolou, MBChB, MMed (Surg), Cert. Gastro (SA) Surg., FCS (SA), FRACS
A/Prof Apostolou is an experienced Specialist Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeon with a wealth of knowledge in metabolic and bariatric surgery, and Winner of the 2023 Doctify Patient Voice Awards.
An Associate Professor with The Australian National University School of Medicine and Psychology at the Sydney Adventist Clinical School, he holds expertise in multiple facets of complex upper gastrointestinal and bariatric surgery through minimally invasive (robotic/laparoscopic) and open approaches.
Christos says, “When performing a laparoscopic gastric sleeve, a portion of the stomach is removed to reduce the size of the stomach, and by doing that, reduce some hunger hormones that help the patient lose weight.
“It’s effective with a low complication rate. Long term, it’s easier to manage for the patient and less likely to result in any macronutrient issues or absorption issues, which is why it’s so popular and well tolerated.
“With a gastric bypass, we reduce the functional part of the stomach by making a small pouch and attach the small intestine to bypass part of the digestion process.”
Although a gastric bypass leads to general increased weight loss, it requires long-term follow-up with regard to micronutrients and is usually offered to patients who have a higher BMI or comorbidities such as ischaemic heart disease or diabetes.
A/Prof Apostolou also specialises in robotics and says, “Because we’re in a group practice, there’s a solid peer review and discussion amongst us exploring which procedure will have the best outcome for each patient.
“We also work closely with endocrinologists and dietitians because it’s a lifelong journey allowing some patients to come off medication for things like cholesterol, diabetes and hypertension.
“It’s life-changing, and bariatric surgery is the gold standard for weight loss.”
Northern Bariatrics is involved in a national database, analysing and reviewing surgery patients, and while most patients are referred via their GP, those seeking weight loss surgery can contact the rooms themselves.
Northern Bariatrics
Suite 16, level 7
105 Frenchs Forest Road
Tel: 9098 6996
northernbariatrics.com.au
Northern Beaches Hospital
105 Frenchs Forest Rd West, Frenchs Forest Ph: 9105 5000 www.northernbeacheshospital.com.au