MEET YOUR WEIGHT LOSS TEAM
Our surgeons offer the latest in bariatric surgery techniques utilising a weight loss team approach to both your surgery and follow-up care. Obesity is a complex issue, and we believe that you should have access to a comprehensive range of services along with your surgery, to ensure that you have a better chance of durable weight loss.
We offer weight loss surgery consultations at three locations – Birtinya, Tewantin and Hervey Bay, with procedures performed at either Sunshine Coast University Private Hospital in Birtinya, or Noosa Private Hospital in Noosa.
When you book in with either surgeon for your procedure, you get the benefit of two experienced surgeons during your operation. You also have access to specialists in bariatric care – including an Accredited Practicing Dietitian, an Exercise Physiologist and a Psychologist.
SURGICAL WEIGHT LOSS TEAM
Our surgery team is Dr James Askew (Birtinya), and Dr Garth McLeod (Noosa-Tewantin). Both doctors are Fellows of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) in General Surgery and have undertaken further formal training in bariatric surgery. Both surgeons live and operate exclusively on the Sunshine Coast.
Whilst our surgeons consult at various locations to cover the vast north Coast areas from Birtinya to the Fraser Coast, for your convenience, they operate as a team. Dr Askew and Dr McLeod assist each other at their respective hospitals, providing you with two experienced surgeons performing your operation. Thorough aftercare is also provided by each surgeon and the team at Weight Loss Solutions Sunshine Coast.
Dr James Askew
General Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgeon
BSc, MBBS, FRACS
Dr James Askew is a Queensland trained General Surgeon. His sub-specialist interest is in weight loss and upper gastrointestinal (GI) surgery. Dr Askew has completed extra post-fellowship training in dedicated Bariatric Surgical Units in Melbourne and New Zealand.
Dr Askew consults at the Sunshine Coast University Private Hospital. He is readily available to discuss your weight loss goals with you. Dr Askew is committed to ensuring that you understand your treatment options and outcomes. In addition, he is a keen advocate of the multidisciplinary weight loss team approach to help you achieve your goals.
See more about Dr Askew
Dr Askew graduated from the University of Queensland in 2003. He completed general surgical training in 2010, obtaining his consultant Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) qualification. He is also accredited by the Gastroentroloigcal Society of Australia (GESA) for diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy. During his training he was awarded the Paul Bolton Memorial Bursary as well as twice being a finalist in the Neville Davis Research Prize.
Dr Askew was selected onto the Australian & New Zealand Gastric & Oesophageal Surgery Association (ANZGOSA) post-fellowship training program. This facilitated further training in bariatric and Upper GI surgery.
Dr Askew has published articles in HPB and the ANZ Journal of Surgery. He has also presented at the International Society for Diseases of the Oesophagus meeting. He is a member of Obesity Surgery Society of Australia and New Zealand (OSSANZ) and the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO).
Dr Garth McLeod
General Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgeon
BSc, BHB, MBChB, FRACS
Dr Garth McLeod is a General and Bariatric Surgeon with subspecialty training in obesity and metabolic surgery. He operates at Noosa Private Hospital and has consulting rooms in nearby Tewantin. Dr McLeod spent over 10 years in Surgery and Emergency medicine before completing advanced surgical training. His subspecialty fellowship in Bariatrics was completed with Dr George Hopkins in Brisbane.
Dr McLeod can perform all forms of bariatric surgery. He is honest about your options. At all times he is committed to your long term wellness. Dr McLeod believes a team approach is the key to better outcomes for you after surgery.
See more about Dr McLeod
Dr McLeod graduated from Auckland University School of Medicine in 1998 and spent over ten years working in Surgery and Emergency Medicine. Advanced surgical training was commenced in 2010 and completed in 2014 when he was admitted as a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in the specialty of General Surgery.
Dr McLeod underwent further training in weight loss and metabolic surgery with Dr George Hopkins in Brisbane. In 2015 he completed a subspecialty Fellowship in Bariatrics. The fellowship under Dr Hopkins was in a high volume practice with a caseload of more than 500 bariatric procedures annually. Based at the Holy Spirit Northside and Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospitals, the caseload included primary, revisional, and complex cases from intra- and interstate sources.
Dr McLeod offers laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, laparoscopic gastric bypass, laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding and the Orbera intragastric balloon for the treatment of obesity and metabolic disease.
He is one of two Surgeons on the team at Weight Loss Solutions Sunshine Coast. He also performs bariatric operations in concert with Dr James Askew at Sunshine Coast University Private Hospital.
Dr McLeod understands the importance of a team approach in managing obesity and optimising weight loss outcomes for his patients.
See more about Dr Garth McLeod
POST-SURGERY WEIGHT LOSS SPECIALISTS
We work with a team of specialists in weight loss to help you on your journey. This is because we believe a multi-disciplinary approach has the best outcome for you.
We encourage you to utilise the services of allied health professionals who specialise in bariatric care. We strongly recommend seeing:
- an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD), who can help with nutrition and diet;
- a Clinical Psychologist for mental and emotional support;
- and an Exercise Physiologist to help increase strength and muscle mass, and get you moving at a fitness level to suit you.
ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS WE WORK ALONGSIDE:
Kate Stoker
Dietitian, Simply Nutrition Dietitians
APD, AN. B. Nutrition & Dietetics
Kate is an Accredited Practising Dietitian with a strong passion for promoting ‘eating for health’. She has been working on the Sunshine Coast since 2011 and her special areas of interest include weight loss dietetics, as well as nutritional advice for diabetic clients. Kate is the Principal of Simply Nutrition Dietitians, based on the Sunshine Coast. She joins the weight loss team with a passion for tailoring advice to suit your individual needs. Kate aims to make healthy food choices easy.
See more about Kate
Kate has a strong interest in gut health and has completed extensive FODMAPs training at Monash University, Melbourne. Her passion for dietetics began at an early age when she was diagnosed with food intolerances. She understands the struggle behind implementing dietary and lifestyle changes. Most of all, when these changes are required for medical purposes. She strives to ensure clients maintain the things that are important to them, whilst working towards optimal health.
She adores chocolate, a good cup of coffee and in late 2015 she became a mother to a beautiful little boy, her best personal achievement to-date.
Dr Samantha Clarke
Psychologist, Sunshine Coast Clinical Psychology
PhD (Clinical), MAPS, Clinical College
Dr Samantha Clarke joins the weight loss team as a renowned Clinical Psychologist. Her focus is wellness and weight management. She specialises in assisting people across the Sunshine Coast to overcome weight concerns, eating difficulties and overall health and wellness. Samantha is the Director of Sunshine Coast Clinical Psychology. Samantha has over 16 years of clinical and academic experience. In addition to her PhD in Clinical Psychology, she is also a qualified Personal Trainer.
See more about Samantha
Samantha’s PhD focuses on the area of goal setting and motivation. With this background, she is well placed to assist patients experiencing weight management issues. She can help you clarify your values, and assist you in building and maintaining motivation to achieve your health goals.
Her work has a strong foundation in providing Mindfulness-based interventions and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
She has taught at both the University of Wollongong and Sunshine Coast University and provides training and supervision to allied health staff Australia wide.
Vanessa Coman
Exercise Physiologist, New Me
BSc (Health & Sports Science), Grad Dip Ed (PDHPE & Science) , AEP(essa), Level 2 Wellness Coach
Vanessa Coman is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (ESSA) and Clinical Director of New Me on the Sunshine Coast. She brings to the weight loss team over 13 years’ experience working in the health and education industry. Vanessa believes in small changes adding up to big results. She believes that everyone has their own unique body, with their own unique set of strengths and challenges.
See more about Vanessa
As an accredited Exercise Physiologist (ESSA) and Clinical Director of New Me, Vanessa has had much success in weight loss, improving muscle tone, and injury rehabilitation. She can help you get on top of your aches and pains and teach you to use your body correctly and safely.
Vanessa has a vast range of exercises and techniques to help cater to your particular interests, needs and abilities. Some of these include Clinical Pilates as well as gym and body weight exercises. In addition, she offers hydrotherapy and many self-massage techniques. She can show you the safest and easiest way to get you moving, improve your fitness and tone your body.
Vanessa’s New Me Program is a kind and gentle approach to weight loss and living a healthy lifestyle.
It is based around affordable, small group exercise classes. You are given the opportunity to rehabilitate any injuries, whilst also getting a total body workout. It is a safe, fun, comfortable and private environment where you are supported and encouraged by like-minded people.
Consistency is the key to a healthy lifestyle. Finding an activity you enjoy, and doing a little bit of it each day will add up to surprising results.
WHAT CAN OUR TEAM DO FOR YOU?
Advanced Surgical Techniques
We use the most up-to-date techniques in surgery, for the best outcomes for you. The only Sunshine Coast surgery team to perform all forms of weight loss surgery. This means we can tailor our surgical approach to your specific needs.
Expert After-Surgery Support
Delivering high quality integrated weight loss care on the Sunshine Coast. Get access to a team of specialists to fine tune your weight loss and greatly enhance the likelihood of a positive outcome following obesity surgery.
Two Sunshine Coast Locations
Our surgeons are located at two Sunshine Coast hospitals. Dr James Askew consults at Sunshine Coast University Private Hospital in Birtinya (Kawana), while Dr Garth McLeod consults at Noosa Private Hospital in Noosaville.
Clear and Honest Communication
Weight loss surgery is a major decision and one which will change your life. Our surgical weight loss team is focused on being upfront and honest with you about your options. Your long-term wellness is always our first priority.
Get In Touch About Your Weight Loss Solution
Are you interested in a life of being healthy, and looking and feeling great? Contact our offices so you can start on the road to wellness.