MedSurg Weight Loss

MedSurg Weight Loss Weight Loss & Metabolic Health Clinic in Brisbane. Specialising in respectful and comprehensive care.

MedSurg Weight Loss is a doctor-led metabolic health and weight management clinic based in Brisbane. We offer comprehens...
13/07/2025

MedSurg Weight Loss is a doctor-led metabolic health and weight management clinic based in Brisbane.

We offer comprehensive, evidence-based care for people struggling with overweight or obesity, using a personalised mix of medical therapy (including weight loss medications), bariatric surgery, dietetics, psychology, and exercise physiology. Our team supports adults and adolescents across all stages of their weight loss journey, with a focus on long-term health and sustainable outcomes.

We are especially suited for individuals seeking medically supervised weight loss, chronic disease prevention, pre or post bariatric surgery care, or support with complex metabolic health conditions.

If you’re ready to take control of your weight and improve your long-term health, our dedicated team is here to help.

Our Doctors are General Practitioners with a Special Interest in Bariatric Medicine so no referral is required. Book a consultation in clinic, or via telehealth from anywhere in Australia. Visit our website or call us today - we can't wait to meet you!

Dr. Somayyeh Firouzi is a highly experienced dietitian with over 20 years of clinical and research experience in nutriti...
13/07/2025

Dr. Somayyeh Firouzi is a highly experienced dietitian with over 20 years of clinical and research experience in nutrition, both in Australia and internationally. She has worked and studied in different countries as well as in Australian regional communities, giving her a strong understanding of cultural food practices and individual challenges around health and lifestyle.

Somayyeh holds a PhD, Master's, and Bachelor's degree in Dietetics and is also a Certified Eating Disorder Dietitian, Certified Renal Dietitian, and SCOPE Certified Practitioner in obesity management. These qualifications shape her warm, evidence-based approach to helping people improve their health and build a better relationship with food. She believes in empowering people without guilt or pressure, especially when tackling long-term weight and health concerns.

At Medsurg Weight Loss, she supports patients with weight management, metabolic conditions, and bariatric (weight loss) surgery preparation and aftercare.

With a deep understanding of chronic diseases and eating behaviours, her recommendations go well beyond basic nutrition tips. While simple advice like portion control or food swaps is easy to find online, Somayyeh brings expert strategies and tailored techniques to help patients overcome the real-life challenges of losing weight and keeping it off.

As a busy mum herself, she knows that time and motivation can be limited—so her meal plans are designed to be realistic, flexible, and fit seamlessly into everyday life. Her passion for cooking, baking, and gastronomy means that flavour is never sacrificed.

Somayyeh’s mission is to help people eat well, feel well, and enjoy their food—without stress or guilt. She brings not only decades of experience, but also compassion, cultural understanding, and genuine care to everyone she works with.

Let's learn about the Pancreas!
13/07/2025

Let's learn about the Pancreas!

Is weight loss medication lifelong? The answer is – most likely, yes.Obesity is a chronic, genetically driven, environme...
13/07/2025

Is weight loss medication lifelong? The answer is – most likely, yes.

Obesity is a chronic, genetically driven, environmentally influenced disease. While we can't reprogram your DNA to alter your body weight, we can manage weight using a range of effective strategies. To understand why weight loss medications are usually required long-term, it’s important to first understand how the body responds to losing weight.

When you lose weight – particularly fat mass – the brain regions responsible for weight regulation kick into gear. This triggers a powerful biological response aimed at restoring your previous weight, often referred to as your "set point." The brain drives intense hunger, reduces your satisfaction from food, and slows your metabolism in an effort to conserve energy and prompt weight regain.

This biological battle happens regardless of how weight loss is achieved – through lifestyle changes, medication, or surgery. The good news is that newer classes of medications help to block this response. They work by countering the brain’s drive to regain weight, supporting not just weight loss, but long-term weight maintenance.

Unfortunately, studies consistently show that when these medications are stopped, most people regain the weight. This is why long-term or even lifelong use of medication is often necessary – not because of dependence, but because it’s helping your body maintain its new, healthier weight despite your brain’s efforts to reverse it.

Of course, this is general advice and may not apply to everyone. We all respond differently, and your individual treatment plan should be guided by your prescribing doctor based on your specific needs.

🎉 MedSurg Weight Loss is 2! 🎉Two years ago, we set out to change the standard of care in weight management—and today, we...
11/07/2025

🎉 MedSurg Weight Loss is 2! 🎉

Two years ago, we set out to change the standard of care in weight management—and today, we're proud to say we've helped over 1,000 patients on their journey to better health.

With 3 GPs specialising in obesity and metabolic health, 3 bariatric surgeons, 2 expert dietitians, an exercise physiologist, a psychologist, and two clinic locations in Hawthorne and Tamworth, we’ve built a multidisciplinary team dedicated to delivering premium, individualised care.

And we’re just getting started...
We have 3 exciting new developments coming soon—watch this space!

Thank you to our patients, team, and community for your trust and support. Here's to the next chapter in transforming health through science, compassion, and excellence.❤️🎉

Ghrelin is often called the "hunger hormone” and for good reason! It’s a hormone produced primarily in the stomach, and ...
11/07/2025

Ghrelin is often called the "hunger hormone” and for good reason! It’s a hormone produced primarily in the stomach, and it plays a key role in stimulating appetite by acting on the hypothalamus in the brain. Ghrelin levels rise before meals and fall after eating, helping to regulate energy balance.

Several physiological and lifestyle factors can increase ghrelin levels, including:
• Sleep deprivation — even one night of poor sleep can elevate ghrelin, increasing appetite and cravings.
• Chronic stress — high cortisol can dysregulate ghrelin secretion and amplify hunger signals.
• Caloric restriction or rapid weight loss — the body increases ghrelin in response to energy deficits, making long-term dieting challenging.

While GLP-1 receptor agonists (weight loss injections) are effective in reducing appetite and supporting weight loss, they do not act on ghrelin directly. Instead, they work via the GLP-1 receptor pathway to delay gastric emptying, enhance insulin secretion, and signal satiety through the hypothalamus and brainstem.

Another important hormone in this equation is leptin, which is secreted by fat cells and signals satiety (or fullness) over the long term. However, in people with overweight or obesity, leptin resistance is common — meaning the brain doesn’t respond properly to leptin’s signals.

Effective weight management isn’t just about willpower — it’s about understanding and addressing the hormonal and neurological systems that regulate appetite, energy use, and metabolism.

Improving sleep, managing stress, and using evidence-based medical treatments can all support healthier ghrelin and leptin signaling — and ultimately, better metabolic health.

Weight loss injections like GLP-1 receptor agonists are changing the game in weight management.They work by mimicking th...
11/07/2025

Weight loss injections like GLP-1 receptor agonists are changing the game in weight management.

They work by mimicking the hormones that regulate hunger and fullness, and studies show they can lead to significant weight loss—often 10–20% of body weight. But these medications aren’t magic, and they’re not risk-free. Nausea, reflux, and more serious side effects like pancreatitis can occur, especially without proper supervision.

That’s why medical guidance matters. The most effective and safest results come when these medications are used as part of a comprehensive, personalised care plan—not a one-size-fits-all online approach.

With expert support from doctors, dietitians, exercise physiologists, psychologists, and a full health team, you can lose weight safely and improve your long-term health—not just the number on the scale.

If you’re considering weight loss injections, make sure you're doing it the right way. Your health is worth it. ❤️

Studies have shown that GLP-1 receptor agonists (weight loss injections) can reduce the absorption of oral contraceptive...
11/07/2025

Studies have shown that GLP-1 receptor agonists (weight loss injections) can reduce the absorption of oral contraceptive pills. This means "The Pill" is no longer considered to be a reliable form of contraception while using these medications.

In addition, weight loss itself can restore ovulation in women with weight-related subfertility or conditions like PCOS—making pregnancy more likely, even if conception was previously difficult.

If you're using a GLP-1 medication and taking "The Pill", talk to your doctor about whether you should consider switching to a non-oral contraceptive method, such as an IUD, implant, or injection, to ensure effective protection.

*This content is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Individual circumstances vary, and you must consult your healthcare provider to discuss what is appropriate for you.*

Weight loss injections are powerful tools—but they’re just one piece of the puzzle. A dietitian plays a crucial role in ...
11/07/2025

Weight loss injections are powerful tools—but they’re just one piece of the puzzle. A dietitian plays a crucial role in helping you to eat well, maintain muscle, and stay energised as the kilos come off.

That’s where our expert dietitians—Dr Somayyeh Firouzi and Ms Jo-anne Nicholls—step in. They work closely with you to optimise nutrition, preserve muscle, and keep your energy up, so you can thrive during and beyond your weight loss journey. 💚🍎

At MedSurg Weight Loss we provide multidisciplinary team care so you can get the most out of your treatment.

Feeling stuck on your medical weight loss journey? It’s okay. You’re not alone.Hitting a plateau on weight loss injectio...
11/07/2025

Feeling stuck on your medical weight loss journey? It’s okay. You’re not alone.

Hitting a plateau on weight loss injections can feel frustrating, but it’s actually a normal and expected part of the process. It doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means your body is adapting—and it may be time to gently adjust your approach.

In this post, we walk you through:
- Why weight loss can slow down (even when you’re doing everything right)
- What small changes might help move things forward
- When it might be time to check in with your care team

At MedSurg Weight Loss, we don’t believe in shame or blame. We believe in understanding the science, listening to your body, and walking alongside you with care and expertise—especially when things feel tough.

📍 Brisbane & Tamworth
💻 Telehealth available across Australia

At MedSurg Weight Loss, we believe that real, lasting change happens when expert medical care meets genuine compassion a...
11/07/2025

At MedSurg Weight Loss, we believe that real, lasting change happens when expert medical care meets genuine compassion and understanding.

Weight is not a willpower issue — it’s a complex medical condition influenced by biology, environment, and systems beyond an individuals control. That’s why our approach couples science with respect - always!

Our multidisciplinary team uses evidence-based treatments — including medical therapies, nutritional strategies, psychology, exercise programs and surgery — to help you reclaim your health on your terms.

Whether you're just beginning your journey or have tried many interventions before, we’re here to listen, support, and guide you with respect and expertise at every step.

📍Brisbane & Telehealth Australia-wide. Doctor-led, patient-centred care.

Constipation is a relatively common and often uncomfortable side effect associated with newer injectable weight loss med...
11/07/2025

Constipation is a relatively common and often uncomfortable side effect associated with newer injectable weight loss medications. This occurs due to the medication’s effect on gastrointestinal motility—specifically, a slowing of gut transit time. As stool remains longer in the large bowel, more water is absorbed, which can result in firmer, more difficult-to-pass bowel movements.

The good news is that for many individuals, gastrointestinal side effects tend to settle over time, and constipation is usually mild to moderate. However, in some cases, it can become more pronounced and require active management.

Strategies that may help support healthy bowel function include:
- Maintaining adequate hydration, ideally aiming for around 2 litres of water per day (unless otherwise advised by your doctor).

- Introducing a daily fibre supplement, which can help add bulk and improve stool consistency.

- Using an over-the-counter stool softener, available from most pharmacies, to ease passage of stool if needed.

Starting bowel support strategies early in the course of treatment may help reduce the risk of constipation and is generally well-tolerated.

Important Note:
The information above is intended as general guidance only and may not be suitable for everyone. Always consult your healthcare provider for individualised medical advice before starting any new treatments or making changes to your routine.

Address

Newstead, QLD

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

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