Weight Loss Surgery Procedures

If you’re considering bariatric surgery in Brisbane, Dr Ian Martin and the team at Brisbane Weight Loss Surgery offer a comprehensive range of procedures tailored to your health goals. As a leading provider of bariatric surgery Brisbane patients trust, Dr Martin works closely with each patient to determine the most suitable approach.

Taking the step toward sustainable weight loss and improved health through surgery requires careful consideration and the right support. It’s important to have clear goals for the outcome of your procedure and to discuss with your surgeon whether these expectations are achievable and realistic.

Such a significant decision also requires a commitment to long-term lifestyle change. When surgical intervention is combined with a nutritious, balanced diet and regular exercise, it can lead to meaningful and lasting improvements in health and quality of life.

During your initial consultation we explore the relevant merits, strengths and weaknesses of potential weight loss surgery procedures with you to determine which procedure best suits your needs.

Factors to consider include:

• Do you have severe reflux?
• Suffer from diabetes?
• Is your BMI over 50?
• Are you a smoker?
• Have you had prior bariatric surgery such as gastric banding?

Severe obesity is a life threatening disease. Unless you are very ill, under the age of 18 or over the age of 65, the benefits of substantial sustained weight loss are far greater than the risks of surgery.

If you’re considering bariatric surgery in Brisbane, understanding whether you meet the eligibility criteria is an important first step.

You are a surgery candidate if you:

• Have a BMI over 30 with obesity-related illnesses such as diabetes or obstructive sleep apnoea
• Have made reasonable attempts at weight loss by other means without success
• Do not have psychiatric or drug dependency problems
• Are aged between 18 and 65 years
• Understand the risks and commitment associated with surgery

Calculating your BMI is the simplest way to know if you’re in a healthy weight range. Check your BMI using our calculator.

Our weight loss surgery procedures

Gastric Sleeve

The gastric sleeve is the most commonly performed bariatric surgery in Australia. The procedure removes 75–85% of the stomach, reducing the stomach to a ‘sleeve’. The smaller stomach restricts food intake and significantly reduces the hunger hormone ghrelin, helping to curb appetite. It’s performed laparoscopically through five small incisions, with most patients leaving hospital the following day. The gastric sleeve suits most obesity patients and can be converted to a bypass procedure later if needed.

Expected weight loss: ~25% of total body weight

Learn more about Gastric Sleeve Surgery

One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass (OAGB)

An OAGB reduces stomach size to restrict food intake and bypasses a section of the small intestine to limit calorie absorption. Compared to the traditional Roux-Y bypass, the OAGB uses a single intestinal connection rather than two, simplifying the procedure and reducing operating time and complications. It’s particularly effective for patients with diabetes, as it stimulates the production of GLP-1, a hormone that enhances insulin release. Most patients stay one night in hospital.

Expected weight loss: 30–50% of total body weight

Learn more about OAGB

Roux-Y Gastric Bypass

The Roux-Y gastric bypass combines stomach restriction with intestinal bypass to reduce both food intake and calorie absorption. The stomach is divided into a small upper pouch and food is redirected past the lower stomach and duodenum via a rerouted section of small intestine. While effective, Dr Martin uses this procedure less frequently than the OAGB, as it carries a higher risk of internal hernia and chronic abdominal pain. It remains an option for patients where the OAGB is not suitable.

Expected weight loss: 30–50% of total body weight

Learn more about Roux-Y Gastric Bypass

Lap Band

The lap band (laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding) involves placing an adjustable silicone band around the upper portion of the stomach, creating a small pouch that fills quickly and reduces food intake. The band can be tightened or loosened via a port placed under the skin. Due to higher re-operation rates, this procedure is rarely performed in modern bariatric surgery and is generally reserved for patients in whom sleeve or bypass surgery carries too great a risk, such as those with liver cirrhosis, portal hypertension, or significant cardiac or immune conditions.

Expected weight loss: 15–20% of total body weight

Learn more about Lap Band Surgery

Learn more about the cost of each procedure