Dr Jason Free Bariatric Surgeon

It is a well-known fact that the vast majority of people who qualify and who will obtain major health benefits with weight-loss surgery do not seek it out. Only about two percent of people who qualify in Australia get weight-loss surgery.

A lot of the reason for this is the stigma associated with having an operation to lose weight.

About a half of people randomly surveyed said they believed weightloss surgery was usually done for cosmetic rather than health reasons. Unfortunately, this is still a perception among some doctors as well, often they give advice to patients to lose weight but are not confident to suggest weight-loss surgery.

There is very strong evidence demonstrating that people who are obese have an extremely low chance of getting their weight down to a healthy range with diets and exercise and keeping it there for 12 months. In contrast the overwhelming majority of people after weight-loss surgery obtain a healthy weight after just a few months, with very little impact to their life. A common misperception about weightloss surgery especially in men is that they don’t really need it, and if they felt like it, they could easily lose the weight on their own. Many people can lose some weight with dieting and exercise, the problem is they always regain the weight and get into a cycle of yo-yo dieting. Almost everyone I see for weight-loss surgery tells a story of how many times they’ve been able to lose a certain number of kilos, however it all regains at some stage.

For example, a typical middle-aged male who weighs about 110-120kg who may have high blood pressure or high cholesterol is an ideal candidate. This patient could expect to lose about 2530kg with surgery and easily get off their medications.

People need to become aware of the health dangers linked with obesity. Obesity is a public health epidemic that contributes to mortality and many health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol and worsening arthritis. Weight-loss surgery has very low rates of complications and has excellent long-term success, outweighing any potential side effects.

Research shows that people who are significantly obese have a much shorter life-span than people with a healthy weight.

Obesity is currently classified as a chronic disease, rather than a character flaw. It is a complex disease of metabolism, with a lot of individual genetic and hormonal traits

predetermining a person’s adult weight. It is extremely difficult to treat without medications or surgery in addition to all the behavioural changes.

Without scientific knowledge, many people still have a biased view of obesity as a lack of willpower to slim down. They think that by having weight-loss surgery, people are taking the easy way out. Even some patients who undergo weight-loss surgery have the same bias. The struggle lies in overcoming this inner prejudice, and then comes the challenge of helping others discover if weight-loss surgery can improve their life.

It is true that despite all the massive health benefits of weight-loss surgery, a large proportion of people choose to have weight-loss surgery to look better and feel much better about themselves. This is especially the case for women who often feel they are constantly under pressure when it comes to their appearance.

In these modern times men are also feeling this pressure and men spending more effort to improve their appearance seems to be on the rise. Men can often be shy when it comes to talking about ways to improve their appearance, and this is especially so regarding weight-loss. The reality is that if you look after yourself, health wise and appearance, you will feel greater confidence, interact better with people, you’ll be more productive at home and work, and break down the barriers to better mental health.

In a recent survey of thousands of people who’ve had weight-loss surgery, about 90 percent felt it was one of the best decisions they’d made in their lives, and about 70 percent said their only regret was not having done it earlier.

BY SIMON BENNETT

In usual fashion I was at a million miles an hour, rushing from appointments but sure I had to arrive for check in by midday. When you charge by the hour it seems you are obsessed by time, time increments and the value of time. So slightly over the speed limit, I arrived at the gates to the retreat deep in the picturesque Tallebudgera Valley, determined to make it to check in on time!

Arrival involves the usual obtaining of keys and seeing the exquisite room overlooking the valley and the Gold Coast skyline, but, and here’s the catch; we had to attend a consultation and complete a wellness survey. Well in for a penny. Alcohol – yes, stress – yes and flatulence – honesty all the way!

After booking some spa treatments for the following days it was back to the room with a view and into the balcony hot tub to read a book. Did I tell you that phones and all other electronic devices are strongly discouraged?

As I sat and soaked something strange began to occur, absolute relaxation as I listened to the wildlife and appreciated being a part of the wonder that was the nature I was immersed in.

Over the following four days, I became part of the retreat, with nutritionally designed and measured meals to accompany regular exercise and wellness classes. At 6am each day, I found myself barefoot on the grass hillside facing up to the rising sun engaging in 30 minutes of Qigong, an ancient Chinese breathing movement and meditation technique to awaken the senses. An amazing way to loosen your body and relax through breathing.

As I devoured the physical activities, stretching and food, it became obvious I was learning more about my ability to

deal with stress and wellness through meditation, breathing and controlling my thoughts.

I was able to overcome stress by concentrating on being present in the moment and controlling my mind to focus on positive thoughts. And while I improved at mastering this concept, there is still much work to be done.

While the mornings at Gwinganna are largely active (you may choose the level and intensity of your activity), the afternoons are unashamedly set aside for “me time”. This involves amazing spa treatments, sleeping, reading, sitting by the pool or whatever other activity replenishes your body and spirit.

By this stage I had forgotten about time. The constant pull of the mobile devices had left my psyche and, to tell the truth, it was a relief. We are so reliant on being connected it was a pleasure to disconnect. Oh, by the way no alcohol (not a big deal for me) and no coffee! What no coffee? Yes, that’s right. A severe headache on the night of day two was dealt with swiftly by the staff with natural remedies and that was that.

So, by this time I was no longer a slave to the coffee, the mobile device nor the clock. I found this extremely liberating and with the ability to at least understand the stress and how to deal with it, job done. But unfortunately, it was now time to leave.

Gwinganna has a wide range of fully inclusive package options to help you live a healthier life, reduce stress and enhance positive ageing. Recognised as one of the most innovative wellness destinations in Australia, choices include the popular seven-night Detox, a two-night Wellness Weekend or specialty retreats that focus on stress, nutrition, women’s health, sleep or mindfulness. Be inspired and learn from a highly experienced team of wellness professionals, plus enjoy delicious organic cuisine, diverse activities for all levels and exceptional spa and wellness therapies in this EcoTourism certified wellness retreat. Gwinganna’s exclusive customised environment is well regarded globally for its transformative effect on guests’ lifestyle habits. This world-class retreat is specifically designed to assist you during any withdrawals from the world in a beautifully isolated environment, providing a cocoon from external distractions and stress. A visit to Gwinganna is a commitment to stay on retreat and respect our philosophy you can adopt lifestyle habits that foster wellness, energy and calmness.