With over 1600 happy patients, we are proud that we have changed over 1600 lives for the better.
Some of our many success stories
-
There is no shame in wanting to look healthier
A common attribute of overweight men is to say ‘its fine’, or believe it vain to want change. Ultimately, we believe you deserve to feel happy in your skin, and photos like this show how much a persons confidence can change
-
Do I need a referral from my GP?
No, you do not. Although we receive many referrals from GPs, you are welcome to reach out and book a consultation without seeing a GP first.
From 155kg with funding issues to 34 inch waist!
“I was 155kg with Type 2 Diabetes, Sleep Anea, Heart Meds and I was a ticking time bomb. I just wore clothes that fit irrespective of what I looked like. It was embarrassing. Simple things like tying my shoe laces was a chore.
From assistance with Self Funding down to the day of procedure and Post op, Dr Maani was smooth, easy going and no question and conversation was off the table. He is very relatable and made the process as easy as possible.
9 months post op. I'm down 65kg. From 46/48inch waist down to 34 inch. I can shop at a normal store. I can sit at a concert and not be concerned about smearing myself onto the person sitting next to me. I can adjust my seatbelt on an aircraft and most importantly, I feel amazing in myself. My only regret ... should have done it sooner.”
You can change the rest of your life
-
Do I have to lose weight before bariatric surgery?
Often, yes. A pre-operative diet, typically a very low-calorie diet (VLCD), is usually required for a few weeks before surgery to shrink the liver and reduce fat in the abdomen, making the surgery safer.
-
Are there any signs I should seek help short term?
This site has a huge amount of information, but you should act when serious obesity-related health problems like type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, or heart disease are apparent (these are called co-morbidities)
From chronic sickness to a changed life - in three months! One patients story
I suffered from chronic eczema my entire life. Always had cuts and infections and tried everything under the sun including traveling abroad to see renowned dermatologist, Chinese doctors, naturopaths and nutritionists to name a few. I was bordering 100kg, developed polycystic ovarian syndrome, was pre-diabetic, had no energy, bad sleeps, poor concentration and my self confidence was at an all time low. So much so that I started isolating myself from social interaction and would make excuses up so I wouldn't have to go into the office.
I was close to booking this procedure elsewhere (rushing into it) and felt extremely pressured to book and pay a deposit. I want to flag to anyone starting this journey - if something doesn't feel right, then you're probably right. Trust your gut and make sure you've done extensive research to find the best surgeon. This is a big surgery and you want to make sure you minimise the risk of complications and have the best chance of success. Look at reviews, check qualifications, read forums and testimonial and make sure you thoroughly understand the pros and cons of surgery and who your chosen surgeon is. That's how I found Dr Maani and I couldn't have been more happy with my decision.
Dr Maani and his team are extremely helpful. They are warm, compassionate, considerate, professional and don't put you under pressure to commit like other places (where it feels like a sales pitch). Dr Maani and his team genuinely care that you are making the right decision for you regardless of whether that means you proceed to surgery (or not).
The process leading up to the procedure and the procedure itself was seamless. The physical healing was the smoothest of any surgeries I have had (which is upward of 10 - both health related and cosmetic). I have felt very well supported throughout my journey and still now, as I continue to recover and adjust to my new life.
I'm three months post op and the biggest change (which I didn't even consider as a potential outcome) is that my life long chronic eczema has been cured. For the first time in my life I no longer have multiple cracks / cuts and infections in my skin. It negatively impacted every aspect of my life. I no longer have polycystic ovarian syndrome, I'm not pre-diabetic, I have good quality sleep, my stress levels have significantly reduced, I'm more confident and social, I've dropped two dress sizes in three months (15kg), I have more energy to do activities with my daughter on the weekend, my mental clarity and focus has improved. The list goes on.
Post op made me realise how much my life revolved around food... the time I spent thinking about food, buying food, planning to go out to eat, feel bad for eating too much food, cleaning up after food, trying not to cave to cravings or binge eat. Post op, my relationship with food is changing for the better. I eat to fuel my body and now I have so much extra thinking time to spend on other things that matter in my life. Do I miss eating larger portions? Yes! Do I miss having a drink? Yes! But do the pros outweigh the cons? Absolutely!! Overall, this procedure was life changing and my quality of life has shy rocketed more than I could have ever imagined... and it's only month three!
The changes in your life can be dramatic
-
Will I be able to return to my regular diet?
While you will be able to eat "regular" food, portion sizes will be significantly smaller, and certain foods (especially those high in sugar or fat) may need to be avoided or limited.
-
How long after bariatric surgery can you exercise?
Light exercise like walking can usually start almost immediately. More strenuous exercise and heavy lifting will need to be avoided for several weeks to allow for healing.
No matter the age! 71 years old! ‘I am able to walk into town quite easily’
I was 71 years of age when I had the gastric sleeve and hernia repair. The three years prior to the surgery I was constantly at the GP. I could not breathe, I was constantly coughing, unable to walk without coughing so needless to say my weight had ballooned to 110kg. It was a circle of puffers, antibiotics and steroids. So disappointing as my husband and I had plans to travel in our retirement plus we are both community minded and had been prominent in our community here on the South Coast of NSW. When my GP suggested bariatric surgery it was not something I had even considered but after consultation with my family, I realised that I did not want to continue my life as it was, besides I was only seventy!
The first contact I had with Dr Jason Maani was at an online meeting giving details of the bariatric surgery. I found him to have a quiet, calm and caring disposition so I asked to be referred to him at the visiting site in Wollongong. He agreed to perform a gastric sleeve and after the necessary checks on my health, I was admitted to St George Private for the procedure in February 2021. I cannot say that I did not feel apprehensive about having this done at my age but I was reassured by the doctors and nurses at the hospital. My husband came up to Sydney and stayed close to the hospital. Looking back, after being discharged, I remember the journey home being a horrendous four hours' drive home but after a couple of weeks I felt quite well and was coping fine with the liquid diet. I did not have the reflux problems I had suffered with prior to surgery. It was strange to feel full after just a small amount of food. I do not remember feeling full before! I lost 25kgs pretty quickly and have maintained my new weight. It is three years since the surgery. I know that I need to do so for health reasons as I never want to go back to my pre surgery life.
Having good health is most important and I thank Dr Maani each time I talk to him as he has changed my life. I am able to walk into town quite easily. My husband and I have been travelling quite extensively. I have had the energy to move house. I am President of my local Rotary Club and we have a good social life. When eating out, I just eat what I need or share a meal. I have found that restaurants are very obliging if you ask to do this. My weakness is a glass of wine but I feel that life has to be worth living and I know that mine is so worth living after the surgery and I look forward to the future.
More of our many success stories
Some common questions answered, from a patient!
What was your life like before you had the procedure?
I was extremely self-conscious and feeling very uncomfortable in my skin before my procedure. I did not like being seen by people, even those who love and care for me. I found exercise trying and extremely taxing because it was so hard to move my body with all the extra weight. If felt defeated as I had tried so so many times to lose weight and keep it off. I was tired a lot and had very little energy. I wanted to be able to play and run and do things with my kids, but felt I couldn't do that easily. My health had begun to suffer - I had been to the physio multiple times the years leading up to surgery, to deal with this problem or that. Even my sense of joy in life was diminished. I had developed plantar fasciitis which was exacerbated by extra weight. I found my feet would be extremely sore at the end of a working day, just from all the additional weight I was carrying, and waking up in the mornings had me stiff and sore, like I was much older than I am. I was also concerned about developing diabetes, as I'd had gestational diabetes with a pregnancy, and I knew it was a distinct possibility for me. I knew I had to do something about my health.
What was your experience throughout the process of your journey/procedure?
Dr. Maani was very gentle explained things clearly. It was clear the whole time that any decision I made was purely mine to make. He never urged me or tried to encourage me to get the procedure, purely gave me the information I needed to make a reasoned decision and his team were kind and approachable each step of the way, and I felt I was in good hands. I had a friend who had been to him with very good results, and she had also said similar. The process form start to finish was very smooth and easy, and Dr Maani's team had all the relevant information and forms I needed, ready to go. The day of the surgery was smooth also and I was looked after well both prior to, and after surgery. It takes a bit of getting used to in the weeks post-surgery. There is a lot of new eating habits to consider and really, you're in it to change your life, so you need to be ready to do that.
How has this journey changed your life and how you live it now?
A bit less than a year post-surgery, I am really enjoying life. I have been far more active with my children, we hike a lot now and I have gotten back into running which is much easier with less weight and pressure on my joints. I hate the heat less than I did, as I don't feel it as much (though I feel the cold more). I have more energy than I did, and I am really enjoying the confidence of feeling better in my skin. I can buy clothes and enjoy how they look on me, and am far less self-conscious than I was. Mainly though, which was my priority in undergoing surgery, my health has improved! My joints are much happier. My plantar fasciitis has gone, and I hardly have any foot pain at the end of a work day. I move faster, I am much not breathless in my day-to-day activities and I am enjoying life with my partner more. We, as a family, spend so much more time being active all together and it's really fun, as well as great modelling for my kids for their future. In the long-term I plan to stick to the eating I have learned through this and keep my weight off for life! What a great life change I have made. Thanks Dr. Maani and team!
You can change too.
The commonality in all these patients is they wanted change, and took the necessary steps. When you make that decision, we are here to help