How to Choose the Best Bariatric Surgeon in Melbourne

Undertaking weight loss surgery is a big decision. You are trusting your surgeon to help you make the right decision for you at the right time, to safely perform your procedure, to educate you about the process and to look after you before and after. You’ll want to trust your care to the best weight loss surgeon in Melbourne.

Things to look for when considering your surgeon.

1. Surgeon training

Look for someone with subspecialty fellowship training in bariatric surgery after their general surgery training. 

2. Surgeon experience

Look for a surgeon with extensive experience in bariatric surgery. Ask them how many cases they have done, what their complication rate is and if they have experience managing complications.

3. Accreditation

Your surgeon, at a minimum, must have FRACS (Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons). In Australia, there is actually no accrediting body for bariatric procedures. However, there are some international bodies that recognise standards in bariatric surgery such as SRC. In the US, the ASMBS Fellowship Certificate serves to recognize surgeons who have completed their training and who have met the educational requirements needed to practise safe and effective bariatric surgery.

4. Multidisciplinary team 

It takes a village to achieve success after bariatric surgery. Make sure you are supported by a multidisciplinary team including dieticians, psychologists, exercise physiologists, support groups and obesity medicine physicians.

5. Follow up 

Bariatric surgery is not set and forget. You'll need lifelong follow up by your surgical team to ensure you get and stay on track and to look after you if there are any problems. Your surgeon should offer long term follow up.

6. Trust

You need to trust your team. After all, you'll be putting your health in their hands. Do they treat you with respect? Do they listen to you? Do you feel confident with the care they provide? Are you able to contact them easily? Do they give you clear instructions? These things all factor into trust.

7. Other patient's experience

If you know people who have been treated by the same surgical team, it's good to find out if they were satisfied. Getting a first hand account of other people's experience can help you choose if your surgeon is right for you.