Dr Ruth Blackham, Aurora Bariatrics

23/07/2025

**~ Celebrating the little wins ~**

I recently found out I passed part 2 of a three-part assessment I’ve been working through — and like so many of us, I took it as a sign. A sign to hit pause, to actually do something for myself.

Because when life’s been busy, when your to-do list is full, sometimes you need an excuse to stop and say:
“You know what? I’ve earned this.”

If you’ve recently had bariatric surgery, you know exactly what I mean. It’s not just the big milestones that matter — like your final goal weight or a major health win. Sometimes it’s the smaller, quieter victories:
👖 Fitting into jeans you’d packed away.
🧪 Seeing your blood tests finally come back in the green.
💇‍♀️ Or even just booking that long-overdue salon visit.

And while we’re here?
Let’s talk bariatric hair. Yep, it’s a thing — and it hits around the 3–6 month mark post-op for most people.

💇‍♀️ What to expect:
• Increased shedding (often shocking amounts)
• A thinner ponytail
• New regrowth that can look fluffy or patchy
• Totally normal! It’s your body adjusting to rapid weight loss, hormonal shifts, and the metabolic stress of surgery.

🧴 How to treat it:
• Prioritise protein (60–80g daily minimum!)
• Stay on top of your multivitamins, iron, zinc, biotin, and B12
• Be kind to your hair — avoid tight hairstyles, harsh bleach, and daily heat tools
• Try hair-supporting supplements (chat to us first)
• Gentle scalp massage with nourishing oils can help too

And as a little love letter from us to you — every Aurora Bariatrics patient gets a silk bonnet to wear at night.
Because less breakage, less tangling, and a bit of luxury never hurt anyone.

It won’t last forever.
Your hair comes back — and so does your confidence.

So here’s to celebrating the tiny but mighty moments. A coffee. A quiet chair. Foils in.
You’re showing up for yourself — and that’s a BIG win.

Dr Ruth x

Our team brings together Perth's best surgical, medical, dietetics and allied health support to ensure a smooth process with excellent outcomes. Perth Weight Loss Surgery WA focuses on quality, compassion and excellence in care to ensure you're the healthiest version of yourself.

22/07/2025

Why You’re So Tired After Surgery… And Why That’s Only Temporary

If you’re feeling exhausted after surgery, you’re not alone. But here’s the truth I want you to hear from me directly in the video below:
This tiredness is temporary—and your energy will come back stronger than before.

Surgery is a huge physical event. Even if it was “just keyhole surgery,” your body is busy healing tissues, regulating inflammation, and adapting to metabolic changes. All of that takes energy. It’s normal to feel flat or wiped out—even weeks after surgery.

But here’s the good news:
🌟 Most of our patients find their energy returns within a few weeks, often better than before. As weight decreases, inflammation settles, and your body finds its new rhythm, you’ll feel lighter—not just in weight, but in energy.

In the video below, I explain:
✔️ Why your energy drops after surgery
✔️ Why this phase doesn’t last
✔️ What you can do to support your recovery

Quick Tips:
💤 Rest when you need to—your body is working hard
🚶‍♀️ Gentle walks help recovery
🥩 Focus on protein and hydration
💛 Trust your body: healing isn’t linear, but it is happening

So, if you’re feeling tired now… know this:
Your energy will return. Your body knows what it’s doing. And soon, you’ll feel stronger, healthier, and more energised than you’ve felt in a long time.

🎥 Hit play below. Let me talk you through it.

Dr Ruth x

21/07/2025

Thinking about bariatric surgery but unsure where to start?

If you’ve been exploring weight loss options — including medication — but are now considering surgery, our Gastric Sleeve Guide is the perfect place to begin.

This free, easy-to-understand resource explains:
✔️ What the gastric sleeve procedure involves
✔️ What to expect before and after surgery
✔️ How recovery and long-term support work
✔️ Why Aurora Bariatrics is with you every step of the way

Whether you’re curious about your options or seriously considering surgery, this guide will help you feel more informed and confident in your next step.

Swipe through to read our Free Guide.

18/07/2025

Last week, one of my gorgeous former patients popped in to visit—with her tiny baby in her arms.

She’d started her weight loss journey with us not just for herself, but for the family she dreamed of having. And standing there, holding her infant, was the most beautiful reminder of why I do this work.

At Aurora, I see stories like hers every week.

Women who’ve spent years putting themselves last. Caring for babies, elderly parents, partners, and everyone in between. Juggling school runs, night shifts, and the endless mental load of being the default caregiver.

Their own health? Always at the bottom of the list.

That’s why, at Aurora, we do things differently.

Babies and kids are always welcome. Bring the pram, the chaos, the snacks—we understand.

And if getting in to see us feels impossible? That’s what Telehealth is for. Call from your car. Your office. Your kitchen after the kids are asleep.

Because metabolic health isn’t just about food and exercise.

It’s about time. Access. Support. And finally giving yourself permission to matter too.

When you’re ready, we’re here.

Dr Ruth x

16/07/2025

Real words from one of our incredible patients:

“I cannot thank Dr Ruth and her wonderful team enough. She took such amazing care of me. From my first consult to now during my recovery, I have felt completely supported and well cared for.”

From your initial consultation through to long-term recovery, we’re with you every step of the way.

If you’re considering bariatric surgery, know that compassionate care is at the heart of everything we do.

13/07/2025

Lying in bed on holidays, doing that classic bedtime scroll through my iPhone photos instead of actually sleeping.

We’ve done so much during the break — the kids, the food, the chaos, the laughs.

But as I flicked through all the pics, I realised something:

I’m not in any of them.

There’s the kids grinning at the seagulls.
The pizza palace.
A truly lovely sunset.

But I’m not there. I mean I was there, right?
Holding the phone. Making “magic” happen.
But I forgot to be in the photo, in the memory.

And you know what? I see this all the time with my bariatric patients.

Beautiful, brave, exhausted patients — especially mums — who spent years hiding from the camera.
Zero photos of them before surgery.
Because “I hated how I looked.”
Because “I didn’t want to remember that version of me.”
Because they were so used to being behind the moment instead of in it.

But then they change. They glow. They get strong.
They start taking photos again. They feel proud. Confident.
And then — heartbreakingly — they say:

“I wish I had a photo from before. Just one. So I could see how far I’ve come.”

So here’s what I’m saying to all of us:
Take. The. Damn. Photo.

Even if you’re bloated.
Even if it’s the “wrong” time of the month.
Even if it’s just a selfie in bad lighting with your hair tied up.

If you want a photo in holding bay, at ground zero right before the bravest step of all? Just ask me.

Because one day, you’ll be glad you did.
Not because it’s perfect — but because it’s proof.
Proof that you were there. That you were real. That you made it through.

📸💖 Get in the photo. You deserve it.

Dr Ruth x

11/07/2025

Meet Dr Ruth Blackham - The heart behind Aurora Bariatrics

Award-winning surgeon.

Academic Leader.

Mother of three.

With over 20 years of surgical training and international experience, Dr Ruth brings more than clinical expertise - she brings compassion, dedication, and lived experience to every patient journey.

She understands the real challenges people face when it comes to health, weight, and well-being. And as a bariatric surgeon, she's committed to helping patients take back control, with evidence-based, lifelong care.

From your first consult to long-term support, Dr Ruth's mission is simple: to walk beside you with empathy, excellence and trust.

09/07/2025

You know what I’ve always had a gut feeling about— but now there’s a big, fancy JAMA Surgery paper to back it up?

It’s so much safer when you’ve got the same surgical team with you.

✨ Each time your team have worked together before, the odds of major complications drop by:
• 8% for high-risk GI surgery
• 4% for low-risk GI surgery
• 3% for gynae oncology
• 3% for spine surgery

That’s not just numbers. That’s fewer ICU stays. Fewer complications. Faster recovery. That’s your mum, your partner, your best mate waking up with a better shot at healing well.

This is why we keep a small theatre team. We move like a unit. We speak in half-sentences, raised eyebrows and unspoken trust. There’s no “getting to know you” during surgery.

We’ve got each other’s backs — and yours too.

So the next time someone reckons all surgery is the same… tell them to read the science.

Dr Ruth x

🧬 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/article-abstract/2834597

08/07/2025

Meet Sarah.

She’s a nurse, a mum, a friend — and for years, she's put everyone else first.

She’s tried every diet, every “reset,” every plan. But nothing stuck. What she really wanted was confidence, energy, and to feel like herself again.

When she decided to take that next step with Aurora Bariatrics, it wasn’t just about weight loss — it was about reclaiming her future.

Aurora could be any one of us — juggling work, life, and the quiet hope that maybe this time, things will be different.

And they can be.

If you see yourself in Aurora’s story, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

05/07/2025

Last weekend I ditched the chaos, packed my oversized scarf and compression tights, and flew to Melbourne for the Cardiometabolic Summit.

Two full days of sitting in rooms with brilliant minds, talking about the stuff that actually changes lives—obesity, inflammation, hormones, heart health, fatty liver, sleep apnoea, and yes… those GLP-1 meds everyone’s whispering about.

Because you deserve more than “just eat less.”
Because the science never stops evolving.
And because showing up for you means I have to keep showing up for my own growth, too.

This wasn’t just a fancy doctor trip. It was about tools we can bring back to clinic on Monday.
About helping you breathe easier. Move better. Live longer.

Here with Dr Janet Barry, surgical assistant extraordinaire!

Dr Ruth x

03/07/2025

We believe the care you receive should feel personal, considered, and empowering.

That’s why every patient receives an Aurora Box — a special welcome gift to support your post-op recovery.

It’s filled with thoughtful items, resources, and essentials to help you feel prepared and supported from day one. Think protein shakes, multivitamins, face creams, tea, earplugs, Loom Bands to find each other on the ward, and more.

Because surgery is only one part of your transformation, the way you’re cared for matters just as much.

29/06/2025

I recently spent a week doing something wild… sitting in a lecture room. For five. Straight. Days.

Not exactly Bali or a spa retreat, but hear me out. I did the AICD Company Directors Course with the AMA – it’s basically a bootcamp for people running health organisations. Big decisions, boring spreadsheets, people in suits (I’m much more used to scrubs!)

Why? Because if I’m going to run a weight loss & metabolic health service that actually works – for patients juggling work, hormones, trauma, and three million school notes – I need to be as sharp behind the scenes as I am in surgery.

I want to create a clinic that’s not just medically excellent – but strong, ethical, safe, forward-thinking, and *human*.

So yep, I wore suits, survived acronyms like ESG and ROI, and drank an unreasonable amount of coffee… all so I can do my job better.

Dr Ruth x