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Dr Benedict Mackay offers patients an expert, multidisciplinary approach to weight loss surgery with a strong emphasis on ensuring an exceptional quality of care. As well as bariatric surgery (obesity surgery), he’s also available for upper gastrointestinal and general surgery.
It’s important to Dr Benedict Mackay to work in partnership with your GP to ensure a positive long-term outcome.
Successful, permanent weight loss requires ongoing lifestyle changes and we recognise the significant role that a patient’s GP has to play.
Obesity is a complex health disease.
There’s no denying that Australia is facing an obesity epidemic, but the factors that contribute to weight gain are many and varied.
Long work hours, increased access to fast foods, and sedentary lifestyles all contribute, as do genetic factors.
The challenge of losing weight can be very difficult for many people. Dr Benedict Mackay knows that many patients try their best with making dietary, exercise and lifestyle changes, only to find they can’t achieve the desired results.
Bariatric (weight loss) surgery is a proven and effective treatment pathway for many patients to lose weight and overcome obesity-related health complications.
One of the key criteria for being a bariatric patient is your BMI (Body Mass Index).
According to BMI categories:
Use our BMI tool to find out if your weight is putting you at risk.
In certain circumstances, patients with lower BMI may be candidates.
During your consultation with Dr Benedict Mackay you will discuss your options and which operation will be most appropriate for you. You will also discuss any medication you are currently on (bring a list) as you may need to stop taking some, such as aspirin, before surgery.
If you decide to proceed with surgery it's important to understand what to expect before during and after the operation and prepare well as this all contributes to a faster, smoother recovery.
You will be provided with a comprehensive pre-operation guide. Your preparation for weight loss surgery will include:
Most patients require a hospital stay of one to three days following weight loss surgery. You should plan to rest for at least a week after surgery to aid your recovery. You will not be able to drive for at least 24 hours after surgery.
After surgery, you must follow a strict liquid diet, starting with clear liquids and slowly introducing protein shakes and pureed foods.
Most people return to work within 3-4 weeks of surgery. You should continue to follow the liquid diet of pureed foods and shakes and slowly introduce soft foods under the supervision of one of our dietitians.
Exercise also plays a key part in post-surgery recovery. Physical activity is an important element of any healthy lifestyle. To begin, gentle movement such as walking and swimming is recommended. Again this can be done under the supervision of one of our exercise physiologists.
You will be able to introduce solid food within six to eight weeks, under the supervision of a dietitian. Your dietitian will also help you to plan the timing and frequency of meals and ensure you are meeting your nutritional needs and help you achieve your weight loss goals in a healthy and sustainable way.
After eight weeks of recovery, you can start to introduce more intense physical activity, such as strength training.
Your life should be getting back to normal by now. To maintain a healthy lifestyle and achieve your weight loss goals, you should be following a nutrition plan developed in consultation with a dietitian and you should practice regular physical activity in consultation with an exercise physiologist.
A great benefit of weight loss surgery is that you will feel less physical discomfort exercising as your weight decreases. Many patients discover a new-found enthusiasm for exercise and sports.
One of Australia’s most highly trained and qualified bariatric surgeons, Dr Benedict Mackay combines impressive experience with a deep knowledge of modern surgical techniques and a commitment to achieving the very best outcome for patients.
Dr Benedict Mackay is based on the Sunshine Coast and operates at Sunshine Coast University Private Hospital, so patients no longer need to travel to Brisbane or beyond for exceptional gastrointestinal surgical care.
