Weight Management Services for SALHN

The Weight Management Service offers a 6-month program to assess a patients’ suitability for bariatric surgery.

During the 6-month program, the patient is supported by a team of Physician, Nurse, Dietitian, Clinical Psychologist and Exercise Physiologist with the following aims:

  • for the patient to better understand bariatric surgery, including lifelong self-management requirements after surgery
  • to show the patient's ability to make sustainable lifestyle changes. These behavioural skills are needed to support the surgery, reduce the risks associated with surgery and improve post-surgical recovery and outcomes.

At the completion of this program, a multi-disciplinary case conference is held with the surgical team to determine whether the patient can be placed on the waitlist for elective bariatric surgery. The case conference considers both the patient’s commitment and outcomes after the 6-month program, as well as their clinical suitability for surgery.

There is currently an extensive wait-time to participate in this program as well as additional wait-times once placed on the waitlist for elective bariatric surgery.

The expectation is that the investigation and optimisation of comorbidities, particularly sleep apnoea, will continue to occur in primary care while the patient is awaiting the program.

Eligibility for the 6-month program

Inclusion criteria

Patients are eligible to attend the Weight management service if they would like to have bariatric surgery at SALHN and meet the following clinical criteria:

  • 18 to 55 years at time of referral  (18 to 60 years of age at the time of surgery)
  • BMI >35 with 2 co-morbidities or BMI > 45, with 1 comorbidity of:
    • Impaired Glucose Tolerance
    • Diabetes Mellitus
    • Obstructive Sleep Apnoea
    • Fatty Liver
    • Impaired Mobility
    • Hypertension
    • Cardiac Failure
  • Optimisation of current chronic medical conditions
  • Have previously attempted relevant weight management options for weight loss (e.g. previous engagement with community dietician, clinical psychologist, exercise physiologist, trial of adjuvant anti-obesity medication; engagement with community weight management support programs).

Exclusion criteria

  • Alcohol or drug dependency
  • Unresolved psychiatric diagnosis precluding the patient to actively participate in the program (ie. attending face to face clinic appointments

Referral information

Please ensure patients meet the referral criteria on the referral form. GPs are encouraged to use the forms below or include all the above information in their referral letter to minimise delays to assessment. Forms are to be saved and integrated into relevant GP Practice systems. See fact sheets for further instructions.

Bariatric Surgery Referral Form (PDF 234KB)

Templates for GP systems

Fact Sheets

Contact details

Telephone: (08) 7425 8200
Fax: (08) 7425 8248