The Journey After Bariatric Surgery: Beyond the Physical

When people hear the term bariatric surgery, they often picture a simple solution to a complex problem. There's a common misconception that the surgery itself is the end of the road—that it does all the work.

From the outside, it can look like a straightforward medical procedure, a single event designed to fix a lifelong struggle. But after two decades of working with patients across South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia, we know this is only the beginning.

The real journey, the profound and life-altering part, is what happens next.

The Post Surgery Journey

It's a transformation that goes far beyond the physical. We have witnessed incredible stories, each one a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Take, for example, a patient who had spent decades feeling trapped by their weight, unable to participate in the simple joys of life.

After their surgery and a commitment to new habits, they discovered a passion for running and went on to complete a full marathon. That transformation wasn't just about fitness; it was about finding a new sense of confidence and proving to themselves that they were capable of something they once thought impossible.

But that's only one story. We see these personal victories every day. There's the woman who, for the first time in years, was able to go on an amusement park ride with her children, her laughter echoing their own. There's the man who finally gained the confidence to ask for a promotion he had long felt unworthy of, now thriving in his new leadership role. These aren't just weight-loss stories; they're stories of people reclaiming their lives, finding joy in movement, and rediscovering a sense of self-worth.

More Than Physical Change

But the physical change is only one part of the story. The most challenging and rewarding aspect of our work is helping patients navigate the emotional and mental shifts that come with their new reality. The world begins to respond to them differently, and this can be a jarring experience.

Relationships with spouses, siblings, and friends may change. A once invisible person may now be the centre of attention. This requires a complete recalibration of their place in the world, and patients need time and support to adapt to these new dynamics.

This is why our approach to care is holistic. We don't just focus on the surgical procedure; we prioritise comprehensive post-operative support. While we are not psychologists, we make it a point to give patients the space to discuss these shifts openly.

We've built a practice where open communication is a core value, and we provide digital tools that allow patients to connect with others on a similar path. These support networks are crucial for helping people realise they are not alone on their journey, that their emotional challenges are a normal part of this profound change.

A Perspective Shaped by Different Worlds

The way we approach patient care is profoundly shaped by our own life experiences. Growing up in South Africa, we were acutely aware of the vast differences in wealth and opportunity that surrounded us. It was a time of immense social disparity, where one could see great privilege and profound poverty side-by-side.

Witnessing this first-hand taught us that a person's success is not always the result of their own efforts alone, and that many factors outside of our control shape the path we walk. This experience instilled a core belief that everyone is on a parallel journey, and that we must treat each other with equal dignity and respect, regardless of background. This principle has become the bedrock of our practice.

Moving from South Africa to New Zealand was a significant cultural shift, particularly within the medical field. We encountered a more egalitarian system where the traditional medical hierarchy was less rigid. In South Africa, there was a certain formality and distance between junior and senior doctors. In New Zealand, you could walk into a senior surgeon's office and have a direct, open conversation.

This environment fostered open communication and collaboration, which we have adopted in our Australian practice. The experience underscored the value of working as a unified team and learning from everyone, regardless of their role. It also highlighted the importance of commitment.

There was a time during our training when we felt out of our depth and considered a more straightforward career path. It was a period of intense self-doubt, where the long, gruelling surgical training program felt almost impossible.

However, we persevered, and that experience taught us that perseverance is crucial to overcoming any challenge. It's a lesson we often share with our patients, reminding them that the hard work they are putting in will yield incredible results.

The Surgeon's Life: On and Off the Clock

The life of a surgeon is demanding. It requires a high level of mental and emotional focus, and the weight of responsibility is ever-present. When you're in the operating room, you are fully "on," and every decision matters. This is why disconnecting from work is not just a preference, but a necessity.

Some of the most valuable moments for us are the simplest ones—a day at home with nothing scheduled, just the kids playing and the family enjoying each other's company. This is the beautiful, unstructured chaos that truly recharges us. It's the sound of happy children, the freedom to not be on a schedule, and the comfort of being in a space where work and its pressures are far away.

And then there's the quiet of the late night. After the family is safe in bed and asleep, and we are still awake, that's a time for quiet reflection. It's a moment of stillness that allows us to process the day's events, both the triumphs and the challenges. This simple pleasure grounds us and helps us find peace after a long day of constant motion. It's a reminder that even in the busiest of lives, there is always a moment for quiet.

In this career, the rewards and challenges both come from the same place: our patients. Giving people the tools to change the trajectory of their lives and witnessing their success is an incredible privilege. It's in the small, unassuming moments—when a patient shares a story about how they can now enjoy a simple activity they couldn't before—that we feel a true sense of purpose.

But of course, working with people is also the most challenging part of the job. It requires constant focus and a great deal of energy to manage day-to-day interactions and provide the compassionate care every person deserves.

Building a Better Future for Our Patients

Looking to the future, we are focused on evolving our practice, particularly in our post-operative support. We recognise that the need for comprehensive care doesn't end when the patient leaves the hospital.

Our goal is to develop a scalable model that can help people across Australia, creating a community of support that extends far beyond our physical office. This vision is a driving force behind our work. We envision a digital platform where patients can connect with one another, share their stories, and offer encouragement. We aim to provide accessible resources, ranging from group sessions with dietitians to educational videos on adapting to life after surgery.

This is not just about growing a practice; it's about building a better system of care for our patients. Technology can help us by taking care of the mundane administrative tasks and freeing up our team to focus on what truly matters: a patient's story. We want to ensure that every person who embarks on this journey with us feels supported, heard, and valued long after their surgery is complete.

Ultimately, the perspective that guides our work is that we are all on a shared human journey. Our collective experiences—whether in medicine or life—have taught us a simple, yet powerful, truth: You're no better or worse than anyone else. We believe in treating everyone with dignity, working hard, and recognising that every person's story holds immense value.

Our role as a surgeon is to help people change their lives, but our mission as a team is to provide care with compassion and respect, knowing that every step, both for the patient and for us, is part of a larger, shared journey.