About
We want to acknowledge your courage in taking the first step in finding out about bariatric (weight loss) surgery.
Widely held misbeliefs about people with weight problems have shrouded bariatric surgery with an atmosphere of failure and desperation. Whilst bariatric surgery should be seen as the last resort, it is also the most effective treatment for people with morbid obesity. It is now firmly established in most countries in the world, and there is a vast amount of reliable information available about most of the surgical procedures.
As with most operations, there have been many advances over the last 20 years, and bariatric surgery is now very safe when performed by experienced surgeons in well-established centres.
At Tailor Clinics, our weight loss processes have been shown to be consistently more effective than diet and exercise alone, and continue to last for the rest of your life.
Our program releases you from the tyranny of food, and allows you to choose the life you want to live.
Results will vary from patient to patient. Your weight loss results will vary in terms of the amount of weight loss and time it takes to achieve the weight loss.
The Process
test text
Get a GP referral
Patients must be referred by a General Practitioner who needs to give details of any medical problems and previous surgery, including your weight and height measurements. This letter must be received at our clinic before your initial consultation appointments can be made.
Make an appointment
Once we receive your referral, we will contact you to make your four/five consecutive appointments. We all consult at this practice, making the process as easy and stress free as possible.
The initial consultations will be carried over 1-2 days, and will cover all aspects of the pre, intra and post surgical phases. This includes the initial consultation with the Bariatric Nurse and the surgeon, who will discuss fully the surgical options available to you, along with the risks and complications associated with these.
Analyse the options
After seeing the bariatric nurse and the surgeon, you will then be required to see the dietitian and the psychologist. In Hamilton you will also see the exercise therapist.
During the course of your initial consultations with the members of our team, you will have an assessment of your general health, specifically looking at any comorbidities relating to your weight. We will outline the different surgical procedures available, the complications and risks (including death) of these along with preventive measures. We will educate you on the nutritional aspects, both pre- and post-operatively and support you with tools and strategies to enable you to deal with the changes you confront and the challenges you may face, both physically and emotionally. We strongly encourage you to ask questions and we will endeavor to ensure these questions are answered adequately and honestly.
Follow up Treatment
We know that successful weight loss requires close follow-up with the surgical team. This includes regular appointments at 6 weeks, 4, 8, 12, 18 and 24 months and then preferably annually, however your GP may take over your care after this time. You may, at times, require more frequent visits in addition to those routinely scheduled. These follow-up appointments may include prior blood tests and occasionally other studies/investigations in order to monitor and maintain your health. We encourage you to be seen regularly by your GP and other specialists as required for management of any medical conditions, such as diabetes, sleep apnoea, high blood pressure, or any other disease that may have resulted from your weight problem.
All forms of weight loss surgery are a tool, not a cure, miracle or guarantee. It is possible to regain some or all of your weight and we encourage you to become an informed and willing team member involved in your own success. We will work with you as best we can to help this become a reality.
The Team
We believe we offer one of the most comprehensive, supportive bariatric surgery centres in New Zealand, offering various surgical options in the treatment of obesity. All procedures are primarily performed via a laparoscopic (keyhole) approach by our experienced and dedicated bariatric surgeons, Mr. Rowan French, Mr Atul Dhabuwala, Dr Benjamin Wheeler and Mr Wai Chang.
