The first public hospital service in regional NSW to provide access to weight loss management has been launched in Wagga, with the Local Health District granted over $650,000 for a new Metabolic Obesity Service.
It’s aiming to provide eligible patients with support to prepare them for the next steps in accessing weight loss surgery.
Murrumbidgee Local Health District Chief Executive Jill Ludford says bariatric surgery is one of the most effective long-term solutions for people suffering obesity-related diseases like diabetes, sleep apnoea, high blood pressure and liver disease, but it must be accompanied by healthy diet and lifestyle choices.
Patients are referred to the service via their GP, entering an extensive pre-surgical program, including healthy lifestyle education and counselling.
Once they've achieved their goals, patients are referred for bariatric surgery.