Dr Ruth Blackham, Aurora Bariatrics

Dr Ruth Blackham, Aurora Bariatrics A/Professor Blackham is a Consultant Surgeon and Director of Aurora Bariatrics.

Our Surgeon ensures compassion and excellence in caring for all her patients, located SOR at SJOG Murdoch Hospital and NOR at The Mount Hospital.

Why can’t I lose weight — even when I’ve tried everything?If you’ve ever felt like you’re eating less, exercising more, ...
30/10/2025

Why can’t I lose weight — even when I’ve tried everything?

If you’ve ever felt like you’re eating less, exercising more, and still not seeing results, you’re not alone.

For many people living with obesity, the body itself can make weight loss difficult. Factors like metabolic resistance, hormones, and chronic health conditions mean that dieting and willpower alone often aren’t enough.

In our latest blog, we break down:
– What metabolic resistance is
– How hormones affect weight
– Why constant dieting can backfire
– What medical and surgical options may help

📖 Read the full post here: https://www.aurorabariatrics.com.au/blog

💙 Appreciation Post for GPs 💙After a full day of caring for patients, so many GPs still show up in the evening to learn,...
28/10/2025

💙 Appreciation Post for GPs 💙

After a full day of caring for patients, so many GPs still show up in the evening to learn, share ideas, and keep growing — and that never fails to impress me.

It was such a privilege to be invited to speak at a GP dinner in Port Kennedy tonight. The energy in the room was genuine curiosity and care — proof that medicine isn’t just a job, it’s a calling that continues long after clinic doors close.

A huge thank you to Dr Harmeet Singh for chairing the meeting so thoughtfully — and to every GP who keeps showing up for their patients and each other. You’re the heartbeat of healthcare. 💙

Dr Ruth x

Women’s Health Seminar 2025A privilege to speak at the Clinipath Women’s Health Seminar alongside an inspiring panel of ...
26/10/2025

Women’s Health Seminar 2025

A privilege to speak at the Clinipath Women’s Health Seminar alongside an inspiring panel of six clinicians dedicated to advancing women’s health across every stage of life.

My talk, “Beyond the Scales: Women, Wellness, and the Future of Metabolic Health,” explored how we can shift the focus from weight alone to a broader understanding of metabolic wellbeing — integrating hormones, nutrition, muscle health, and longevity science.

It was a pleasure to present alongside endocrinologist Dr Kalani Arachchige, who shared valuable insights on bone health in midlife — a reminder that metabolic and hormonal health are deeply intertwined.

Thank you to Clinipath Pathology and the University of Western Australia for hosting such a thoughtful and evidence-based program.

(📸 With Dr Kalani Arachchige after our sessions at The University Club of WA)

We went exploring new clinic locations to expand Aurora. How beautiful is Perth’s beachfront! (Well, before the rain hit...
25/10/2025

We went exploring new clinic locations to expand Aurora.
How beautiful is Perth’s beachfront! (Well, before the rain hit!)

Have a great weekend everyone :)

Dr Ruth x

If your surgery day is coming up, it’s normal to feel a mix of nerves and excitement. Knowing what to expect can make th...
23/10/2025

If your surgery day is coming up, it’s normal to feel a mix of nerves and excitement. Knowing what to expect can make the day feel less overwhelming — and help you arrive feeling calm and prepared.

Here’s a step-by-step look at how the day usually unfolds at Aurora:

⏰ Morning of surgery
You’ll arrive at your scheduled time (the hospital will confirm this with you). You’ll need to have fasted — which means no food or drink from the time you were instructed. Bring your essentials like your Medicare/private health card, photo ID, and an overnight bag with comfortable clothes, toiletries, and any regular medications.

⚕️ In theatre
Before surgery, you’ll meet your anaesthetist and the surgical team, who will explain what’s happening and answer any last questions. The procedure is done under general anaesthetic, and the time in theatre depends on the type of surgery.

💤 Recovery room
After surgery, you’ll wake up in the recovery area where nurses will monitor you closely. It’s normal to feel drowsy or a little sore — and you’ll be given pain relief as needed.

🌅 Day 1 post-op
As you settle in, the team will guide you to begin gentle movement. Clear fluids may be introduced, and you’ll continue to be supported with pain management, monitoring, and preparation for your next steps in recovery.

✨ Surgery day is the start of your journey toward long-term health. While every person’s recovery is unique, knowing the basics can help you feel reassured and ready.

👉 Swipe through the infographic to see the full timeline, including what to pack and how to prepare.

💬 Have questions?

Drop them in the comments and we’ll cover them in future posts.

Brittany’s health challenges began in her 20s after having four children, when she gained around 60kg and developed insu...
16/10/2025

Brittany’s health challenges began in her 20s after having four children, when she gained around 60kg and developed insulin resistance and pre-diabetes. Despite exercising daily, she wasn’t seeing results and often felt tired, anxious, and unable to fully engage with her kids.

When she noticed her eating habits starting to influence her children, Brittany decided it was time to make her health a priority. “I realised my kids needed a healthy mum, and I needed to prioritise my own health too.”

Reflecting on her journey, Brittany explains: “For me, surgery was about taking a step to reset my health.”

Bariatric surgery is one treatment option that may support improvements in metabolic health — the way the body processes food, uses energy, and regulates hormones. Research shows it can help with blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, sleep, energy, and hormone balance.

It’s important to remember that outcomes vary, and results are different for each individual. Improvements may begin within weeks but often develop gradually with lifestyle changes and ongoing support.

At Aurora Bariatrics, we combine bariatric surgery, metabolic medicine, and long-term aftercare to support patients in managing their health into the future.

👉 Book a consultation to learn more about your options.

Meet Claire — the heart of the Aurora team behind the scenes.From your first surgical appointment right through to arran...
14/10/2025

Meet Claire — the heart of the Aurora team behind the scenes.

From your first surgical appointment right through to arranging your postoperative program, Claire is here to help with all the clinical & administrative steps of your journey.

📍 Claire works with you across our Murdoch & Mount clinics (and beyond), alongside Dr Ruth & our team.

Have a question about booking, paperwork, or what’s involved before or after surgery? Claire is your go-to.

📞 Reach her via admin@aurorabariatrics.com.au
or call (08) 6478 7631.

We get asked these questions all the time…Thinking about bariatric surgery or weight management options? Here are some o...
09/10/2025

We get asked these questions all the time…

Thinking about bariatric surgery or weight management options? Here are some of the most common questions we hear:

– What’s the lowest BMI for surgery?
– What’s the youngest and oldest age for surgery?
– Can medication be an option instead?
– Do you take super-funded patients?

Swipe through to find the answers →

💪 The Power of Moving Early After SurgeryOne of the most important things you can do after your bariatric surgery? Get m...
07/10/2025

💪 The Power of Moving Early After Surgery

One of the most important things you can do after your bariatric surgery? Get moving — safely, and early.

Here’s the amazing physiotherapist Meher - she and her team are up with our patients on Day 1 post-op, helping them start gentle mobility work, and improve breathing after abdominal surgery. The laparoscopic gas in your tummy can cause upward pressure on your lungs, so its good to get them working early.

Even a short walk or sitting out of bed helps:
• Prevent blood clots and pneumonia
• Reduce pain and stiffness
• Improve circulation and gut recovery
• Build confidence and independence

Early mobility isn’t about “pushing through” — it’s about healing smarter.

At Aurora, we work closely with our physio team to make sure every patient has the right plan for their body, their surgery, and their goals.

Movement is medicine — and it starts from day one. 🌟

Dr Ruth x

We often think health is measured by the number on the scales — but that’s only part of the picture.The bigger story is ...
02/10/2025

We often think health is measured by the number on the scales — but that’s only part of the picture.

The bigger story is your metabolic health. This is about how well your body processes food, stores and uses energy, and keeps hormones and body systems in balance.

✅ When metabolic health is good: blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol stay within healthy ranges — and you have the energy to thrive.
⚠️ When metabolic health is poor: it can show up as type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, sleep apnoea, PCOS, fatigue, and other health issues. And here’s the catch — the scales don’t always reveal these problems.

That’s where metabolic medicine comes in. At Aurora Bariatrics, we focus on more than weight alone. Our approach looks at the whole picture — metabolism, hormones, and overall health — to help patients achieve long-term, sustainable improvements.





Address

100 Murdoch Drive
Murdoch, WA
6150

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+61864787631

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