The Bariatric Surgery Initiative aims to improve the health of approximately 260 Queenslanders living with both obesity and diabetes.
This publicly funded weight loss surgery may be a suitable treatment option for people aged between 18 and 65 who:
- have obesity and poorly controlled type 2 diabetes
- receive public hospital specialist treatment for a condition that may be reversed or improved by bariatric surgery.
Donna, a former patient, said she struggled with uncontrolled type two diabetes for 15 years before being referred to the initiative. Donna recently reached out to express her gratitude to all the staff one year on from the gastric bypass surgery performed at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.
‘It seems inconceivable to me that in the space of 12 months, for someone who has struggled with their weight all my life, I have been able to lose greater than 53 kgs.’
‘I am now off all diabetic and high cholesterol medications.’
Donna has lost 53kg since last August
Donna said there were several reasons preventing her from undergoing the surgery in the past, including ‘not being mentally ready for such a life-changing decision’. But she doesn’t regret finally getting it done.
‘I am well on my way [to my goal weight] and look forward to the journey continuing, and am thrilled with my results to date.’
‘Thank you again for changing my life.’
The initiative is a partnership between Clinical Excellence Queensland, Healthcare Purchasing and System Performance Division, and Metro North and Metro South Hospital and Health Services.
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