Weight Loss Surgery
Obesity Surgery Assessment & Counselling
Obesity is an increasing problem in our society for both children and adults. Australia’s rate of obesity in adults has increased more than 250% since 1980. The dieting industry is a multi-billion dollar industry world wide. Research clearly shows that dieting alone does not work and only 5% of people are successful in keeping the weight off for longer than 5 years. Therefore, 95% of dieters fail and with each attempt put on more weight creating a yo-yo dieting cycle.
With an increase in weight also comes an increase in disease and reduced life expectancy:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Arthritis
- Pain
- Depression
To reduce disease and increase life expectancy, surgery has become a new combating tool, especially for the morbidly obese. There are several different types of surgery.
A 10-year study in the United States has found that 40% of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass patients are unsuccessful in keeping their weight off, long-term. The study found that initially the surgery was successful but over several years, the patients begun to gain weight. The main reasons of weight gain are a combination of biological and psychological. The study found that the people who gained their weight back, had chosen or received appropriate lifestyle and psychological care. In other words, the reasons that initially caused the obesity were never really addressed and after the surgical effects wore off, patients returned to their pre-surgical habits!!!! If you are an emotional overeater before surgery, you will continue to be an emotional overeater after the surgery! This phenomenon may not happen until 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 3 years but it may potentially creep back into your life.
If you hated exercise prior to surgery, what makes you think that all of a sudden surgery is going to give you the miracle motivation pill for exercise! IT DOESN’T!!
That is why the right psychological, nutritional and physical care pre-surgery and post-surgery is essential to your success.
Kellee assesses people, through a battery of tests and an interview, to determine their suitability for surgery and identifies any barriers and/or risk factors to short-term and long-term success.
Pre-surgical and post-surgical counselling is an important part of obesity surgery being successful in the long-term. Kellee is a skilled counsellor in this field, working with the client, surgeons and any other allied health professionals to ensure positive long-term outcomes.
Rebates from both Medicare and private health funds are available for this service.
