Auckland Weight Loss Surgery

29/08/2025

Great article from our specialist surgeon, Mr Grant Beban, about the positive effects of bariatric (weight loss) surgery and some advice for those considering travelling overseas for the operation.

Limited public access and high costs are driving some Pasifika to seek surgery abroad. But Dr Grant Beban cautions against poor follow-up care and the hidden dangers involved.

23/08/2025

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/weight-loss-surgery-tourism-regulation-b2790005.html

Some food for thought...

At least 28 British people had died between 2019 and March 2024, due to complications from elective medical procedures performed in Turkey

23/08/2025

https://asmbs.org/news_releases/head-to-head-study-shows-bariatric-surgery-superior-to-glp-1-drugs-for-weight-loss/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Increasingly it seems that new weight loss medications are not living up to the hype.

CONTACT: ASMBS@compartnersny.com Five Times More Weight Loss with Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery After Two Years WASHINGTON, DC – June 17, 2025 – Sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass were associated with about five-times more weight loss than weekly injections of GLP-1 receptor agonists semagl...

03/03/2025

Nicholas Evennett, Specialist Surgeon at Auckland Weight Loss Surgery, shares some data results from the Bariatric Surgery Registry an Independent Registry that monitors over 20,000 patients each year that have weight loss surgery across New Zealand and Australia.
All four surgeons at Auckland Weight Loss Surgery belong to this registry and believe in the importance of doing so.

17/12/2024

🎄 Meri Kirihimete from the team at Auckland Weight Loss Surgery

We’d like to wish all of our patients, supporters, and community a joyful and relaxing holiday season. Thank you for allowing us to be part of your journey this year.

✨ Holiday Hours:
Our clinic will be closed from Tuesday, 24 December, and we’ll reopen on Monday, 13 January.

Happy holidays, take care, enjoy the festive season, and we look forward to seeing you in 2025! 🌟

Ngā mihi nui,
The team at Auckland Weight Loss Surgery

23/10/2024

🎤 In a recent chat on Newstalk ZB with Matt Heath & Tyler Adams, our very own Dr. Richard Babor chatted about Ozempic and other weight-loss medications. He broke down the good, the bad, and everything in between — perfect for anyone curious about these trending treatments.

Pros:
✅ Helps regulate blood sugar and controls appetite, making it a valuable tool for diabetes and weight loss.
✅ Potential for 15-20% weight loss on average.

Cons:
❎ Ozempic is often overhyped. It’s not a "magic pill"—successful long-term weight loss still requires lifestyle changes like diet and exercise.
❎ With a price tag of around $500 per month in New Zealand, it can be a stretch for many budgets, and it’s currently only available for type 2 diabetes patients*.
❎ It needs to be injected, and right now, there’s no oral form available.
❎ Side effects, including nausea and vomiting, cause many people to discontinue use.
❎ Plus, once you stop taking it, weight regain is almost inevitable!

*Ozempic is not currently available as a weight loss medication in NZ.

Dr. Babor also emphasises that while Ozempic shows promise, bariatric surgery remains a proven, long-term solution for sustained weight loss. Surgery not only delivers better results, but data shows it saves on healthcare costs over time.

Weight-loss drugs have seen a surge in popularity in recent years - but there's still common misconceptions about what they can do for people. Drugs like Ozempic, which isn’t available in New Zealand, were developed to treat diabetes but after clinical trials, the drugs were found to aid...

15/07/2024

Ozempic & Wegovy: Miracle Weight Loss Drugs?

Bariatric surgeon Richard Barbor recently discussed the rise of Ozempic and Wegovy on TVNZ's Breakfast medications originally for type 2 diabetes that are now Hollywood's weight loss trend.

Despite their effectiveness, they are not miracle drugs, and a global shortage means they are unavailable in NZ.

Find out more in our latest blog:

Bariatric surgeon Richard Barbor recently spoke to TVNZ’s Breakfast show about the surge in popularity of weight loss drugs, Ozempic and Wegovy.

20/06/2024

New weight loss meds like Ozempic, Wegovy, Saxenda, and Trulicity show promising results but come with risks, such as gallstones. Research shows Ozempic users have a higher rate of gallstones, and children over 12 on Ozempic face higher risks compared to adults. This concern underscores the importance of monitoring gallbladder health.

Read more about this research in our latest blog: https://aucklandweightlosssurgery.co.nz/understanding-the-link-between-weight-loss-medications-and-gallstones/

Understanding the growing need for specialised care in this area, we’re pleased to announce a new service, Auckland Gallbladder Surgery, for fast access to gallstone diagnosis and treatment.

Stay informed and take care of your health. Learn more at: https://aucklandgallbladdersurgery.co.nz/

29/05/2024

https://www.nzdoctor.co.nz/article/opinion/wegovy-why-half-people-taking-weight-loss-drug-stop-within-year-and-what-happens

Read this for the colder, harder facts on wegovy, ozempic etc.

Despite the effectiveness of the newer generation of anti-obesity drugs – called GLP-1 receptor agonists – few can tolerate them in the long run. A new study, published in the journal Obesity, reveals that of people prescribed weight-loss drugs, just 44% were still taking them after three months...

26/02/2024

Introducing Angela Bayly, bariatric surgeon

Angela Bayly is the newest member to our bariatric surgery team at Auckland Weight Loss Surgery. Angela is a General, Upper GI & Bariatric surgeon. She performs surgery for weight loss including roux-en-y gastric bypass, single anastomosis gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy, as well as laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery, gallbladder and hernia surgery.

Angela trained in New Zealand before heading to Sydney to St George Private Hospital, recognised as the highest volume bariatric surgical centre in Australia and the country’s first internationally accredited Centre of Bariatric Excellence.

She brings a minimally invasive approach to the management of oesophago-gastric cancer and is part of the oesophagectomy team at Te Toka Tumai Auckland Hospital. Angela has a research interest in hereditary diffuse gastric cancer.

23/01/2024

A new weight loss solution named Ozempic is the latest buzz on TikTok, capturing the attention of celebrities such as Jeremy Clarkson and Kim Kardashian. This ‘miracle’ drug, administered through injections in the stomach, thigh, or upper arm, has ignited intrigue and discussions surrounding its effectiveness in weight loss.

Ozempic operates by replicating an appetite-regulating hormone, a mechanism that helps curb hunger and extends the feeling of fullness among its users. While the allure of a potential game-changer in the battle against obesity is undeniable, cautionary notes from obesity experts emphasise that Ozempic is no magic bullet. Users should be wary of potential side effects ranging from nausea and diarrhoea to more serious complications like pancreatitis and gallbladder issues.

Seeking clarity on this groundbreaking drug, Simon Barnett and James Daniels of NewstalkZB radio talked to one of the country’s top bariatric surgeons, Richard Babor, to explore its role within the complex landscape of weight loss.

More from the interview here:
https://aucklandweightlosssurgery.co.nz/ozempic-for-weight-loss-richard-babor-on-balancing-the-promise-and-perils/