Metabolic and bariatric — Wellington, Hutt and Kapiti

To contact the metabolic and bariatric service:

• phone 04 806 0400
• email opdbarclinic@ccdhb.org.nz

The metabolic and bariatric service is based at Wellington Regional Hospital.

Street address:

Wellington Regional Hospital
49 Riddiford Street
Newtown
Wellington 6021

Wellington Regional Hospital — Google Maps (external link)

Bariatric surgery can be a life-changing operation. For that reason counselling is an important aspect of this procedure both before and after surgery.

The operation you will have is called a sleeve gastrectomy. This is when most of your stomach is removed with keyhole surgery. This reduces the volume of your stomach from approximately 2 litres to 100mls.

Bariatric surgery is not a quick fix or easy option. It is vital to remember that surgery is only a tool to help you improve your own health and wellbeing.

You may be eligible for the surgery if:

• you weigh less than 160kg and your body mass index (BMI) is greater than 35 and less than 55
• you are being treated for obesity-related conditions
• you have not smoked cigarettes or used nicotine replacement products for at least 6 months.

Obesity-related conditions include:

• diabetes
• sleep apnoea
• high blood pressure (hypertension)
• high amounts of cholesterol in the blood (hypercholesterolaemia)
• infertility
• arthritis.

Counselling

Counselling provides an opportunity for you to discuss your:

• eating patterns
• past experience
• current situation.

It allows you time to reflect and consider your short-term and long-term goals.

After you have attended an information evening with your support person you will be sent an appointment for 2 counselling sessions and one dietitian's appointment. Each of these appointments will last for one hour.

This is not a test to pass. It is a space for you to reflect on your situation and the potential challenges you may face. Your counsellor does not make the decision about your surgery.

We encourage you to attend the counselling sessions on your own to give you the opportunity to talk about very personal matters. If you prefer to have a support person with you or to bring whānau, call 04 806 0400 before your appointment.

You may find talking about personal matters challenging. You may find it useful to talk to the counsellor about what you are worried about in coming to these sessions.

Follow up appointments after your surgery

As you will have adjustments and lifestyle changes it is important to keep your follow-up appointments and regular blood tests after your surgery.

These appointment are held:

• 3 weeks and 12 months after surgery with the surgeons
• 2 months and 6 months after surgery with the counsellor
• 3 weeks, 4 months and 8 months after surgery with the dietitian.

A referral for this service must come from a healthcare provider.

Discuss your options for managing your weight with your healthcare provider. They can talk to you about whether weight loss surgery is the right option for you.

Bariatric surgery information for healthcare providers — Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora (external link)